Everglades National Park Entrance: A Guide From Florida City
In this article
"The main Everglades National Park entrance is the Homestead entrance, at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034. The National Park Service calls it ""the main entrance for Everglades National Park,"" and it is the way in to Royal Palm and Flamingo. From Florida City, State Road 9336 begins as West Palm Drive and runs west to the park. Hadley Place, a D.R. Horton townhome community, is in Florida City, the city where that road begins. This guide covers the entrances, what to see first, and how to plan a visit.
Where Is the Everglades National Park Entrance?
Everglades National Park has more than one way in. The National Park Service directions page lists four visitor centers:
Visitor center | What the NPS says |
|---|---|
Homestead Entrance (Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center) | ""The main entrance for Everglades National Park"" |
Miami Entrance (Shark Valley Visitor Center) | ""The entrance closest to the Greater Miami Area"" |
Everglades City Entrance (Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center) | ""The entrance closest to Naples, Florida"" |
Flamingo Visitor Center | ""The southernmost visitor center,"" and the only one not at an entrance |
For anyone living in Florida City or Homestead, the Homestead entrance is the one you will use most.
The Road From Florida City to the Park
State Road 9336 is the main road to the park. Here is how it runs, based on its route description:
It starts at U.S. 1 in Florida City.
It runs west as West Palm Drive.
It becomes Tower Road, then Ingraham Highway.
It reaches the park entrance and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Past the entrance, the Main Park Road continues all the way to Flamingo.
State Road 9336 is also known as the only signed four-digit state road in Florida. We do not give drive times, because they change with the day and the traffic. The road does not.
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
This is the first stop through the Homestead entrance. The NPS page for the Coe Visitor Center lists the address as 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034.
Notice the ZIP code: 33034. It is the same ZIP as Florida City. A ZIP code is a mail route, not a city line, which is why the park's front door has a Homestead mailing address. Our Florida City ZIP code guide explains how that works.
Royal Palm: The Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails
Royal Palm is one of the best-known stops past the Homestead entrance. The NPS describes it as home to ""the Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trails, each offering visitors the opportunity to explore a different ecosystem along a paved trail or boardwalk.""
The Anhinga Trail is the one most first-time visitors walk. According to the NPS Anhinga Trail page:
It is 0.8 miles round trip.
It winds through a sawgrass marsh.
You may see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets and many other birds, especially during the winter.
It is listed as wheelchair accessible.
The Gumbo Limbo Trail explores a different kind of landscape. The NPS Gumbo Limbo Trail page has the details.
A short, flat trail close to home is a good first outing for a family. It is also an easy one to share with visitors from out of town.
Flamingo: The End of the Road
The Main Park Road runs from the Homestead entrance south to Flamingo. The Flamingo Visitor Center is also called the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. The NPS says it ""is at the end of the Main Park Road and is accessible from the Main Park (Homestead) entrance."" It is the southernmost visitor center in the park.
Flamingo is a full-day trip for most people. Check the NPS Flamingo page for current services before you go.
Fees and Passes
The park charges an entrance fee. The NPS fees page says all park visitors are required to pay one. It also says visitors may enter with a Standard, Annual or America the Beautiful pass.
We do not list prices, because fees change. Check the NPS page before your trip. If you live nearby and plan to visit often, ask about the annual pass options.
Biscayne National Park, Too
Miami-Dade County has a second national park, too: Biscayne National Park.
Biscayne's main visitor center is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead, FL 33033, according to the Biscayne directions page.
Tips for Planning a Visit
Check the NPS site first. Alerts, closures and hours change.
Start at the visitor center. Rangers can tell you what is open that day.
Bring water and sun protection. South Florida sun is strong all year.
Stay on the trail and give wildlife room. Never feed or approach alligators.
Pack snacks and extra water. Plan your stops before you leave home.
After a day in the park, many people stop for food on the way home. Our guide to restaurants in Florida City, FL lists local places to eat.
Living Near the Park: Hadley Place
Hadley Place is a new townhome community in Florida City, FL 33034, built by D.R. Horton in its Express Series. It has two floor plans. Both are two-story townhomes with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a one-car garage, which gives you a place to store bikes, coolers and gear for park days.
Bella: 1,446 square feet, with the bigger great room. Bella homes have recently started in the low $370,000s.
Terra: 1,472 square feet, with the bigger main bedroom. Terra homes have recently started in the low $390,000s.
Prices and incentives change, so call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers. Read Hadley Place floor plans: Bella vs. Terra to compare them, and our guide to one car garage dimensions to plan the storage.
The community plans show a tot lot and park space of its own. The builder has not published an opening date, so call 561-704-0091 for the current status.
Common Questions
Where is the main Everglades National Park entrance?
The main entrance is the Homestead entrance, at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034. It leads to Royal Palm and, at the end of the Main Park Road, Flamingo.
How do I get to the Everglades from Florida City?
Take State Road 9336 west. It starts at U.S. 1 in Florida City as West Palm Drive, then becomes Tower Road and Ingraham Highway before it reaches the park entrance and visitor center.
Does Everglades National Park charge an entrance fee?
Yes. The National Park Service says all park visitors are required to pay an entrance fee. Standard, Annual and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. Check the NPS fees page for today's fees.
What is the Anhinga Trail?
It is a 0.8-mile round-trip trail at Royal Palm that winds through a sawgrass marsh. The NPS says you may see alligators, turtles and many birds there. It is listed as wheelchair accessible.
How many entrances does Everglades National Park have?
The NPS lists three entrances: Homestead, Miami (Shark Valley) and Everglades City. A fourth visitor center, Flamingo, sits at the end of the Main Park Road and is reached through the Homestead entrance.
Where is the Biscayne National Park visitor center?
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is at 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead, FL 33033, according to the National Park Service. It is the main visitor center for Biscayne National Park. Check the NPS site for hours before you go.
Call 561-704-0091 or Plan Your Hadley Place Visit and see what life near the Everglades looks like, with Simon as your guide.
Related reading: Florida City ZIP Code: 33034 and Where Hadley Place Fits, Restaurants in Florida City, FL: Local Places to Eat, Outlets in Florida City: Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace and Everyday Shopping, One Car Garage Dimensions: What Fits in a Hadley Place Garage, and the Hadley Place community page."