South Dade sits between two national parks. Everglades National Park starts just west of Homestead and Florida City. Biscayne National Park starts at the edge of the bay to the east. Most of us can reach either one in under an hour.
Late fall is the best time to go. The Everglades dry season runs from November through March. Water levels drop, so birds and alligators crowd into the deeper pools where they are easy to see. The park says ranger programs are widely available in these months too. Hours and prices below were checked with the National Park Service and local governments in October 2026.
Everglades National Park: The Homestead Entrance
The main park entrance is on State Road 9336 west of Homestead. From the north, take the Florida Turnpike south until it ends at U.S. 1 in Florida City, then follow the park signs. This entrance is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It leads to the Royal Palm and Flamingo areas.
What it costs: A private vehicle pays $35 and a motorcycle pays $30. People who walk or bike in pay $20 each if they are 16 or older. Kids under 16 on foot or bike do not need a pass. Locals who plan to come back can buy the Everglades annual pass for $70, which is good for 12 months.
Leave the cash at home. The park does not take cash. Pay with a card at the gate or buy a digital pass online before you go.
Free days: Entrance is free for U.S. citizens and residents on October 27 and on Veterans Day, November 11. Current military, 4th graders and people with a permanent disability can get a free America the Beautiful pass. Seniors 62 and up can buy one for $20 a year.
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
40001 State Road 9336, Homestead. Phone 305-242-7700. Open 365 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to mid December and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid December through March.
Start here. Rangers can help plan your day, and there are exhibits, a park film, brochures and restrooms. The bookstore is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and sells bug spray, which you may want.
Tip: There are no airboat rides at this entrance. Airboat tours run from three businesses on SW 8th Street (Tamiami Trail), about an hour north.
Anhinga Trail
If you only have time for one walk, make it this one. The Anhinga Trail is a paved path and boardwalk over a sawgrass marsh and a clear freshwater slough. It is 0.8 miles round trip and wheelchair accessible.
The park calls it one of its most popular trails because of all the wildlife. Look for alligators, turtles, fish and the anhinga bird it is named for. Winter is the best season, since low water pulls the animals into the slough. Sunrise and sunset are lovely here.
Gumbo Limbo Trail
This short trail starts in the same Royal Palm area. It is a 0.4 mile paved loop through a shady hardwood hammock that feels like a jungle. Look up for royal palms, ferns and air plants. Look closely at the tree bark for the striped liguus tree snail. It is also wheelchair accessible, and it is a good pick on a hot day.
Flamingo and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center
Keep driving south through the park to reach Flamingo on Florida Bay, the far southern tip of the park. From November 16 to April 30 the visitor center is open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From May 1 to November 15 it is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Flamingo has a campground, a public boat ramp, a marina store, bike and boat rentals, boat tours and canoe trails. It feels far from everything because it is.
Tip: The park warns that people who arrive by Uber, Lyft or taxi often cannot get a ride back. Drive yourself or set up your return trip first. Cell service is limited, so download maps before you leave home.
Biscayne National Park: Convoy Point
9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead. Phone 786-335-3620. Biscayne National Park has no entrance fee.
The park’s islands can only be reached by boat. Convoy Point is the part you can drive to. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grounds, the green lawn and the canoe and kayak launch are open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bring a picnic and walk the waterfront. If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, the launch puts you right into the bay along the mangroves.
Getting Out on the Water
The Biscayne National Park Institute runs the park’s main tours. Choices include snorkeling at coral reefs and a shipwreck, cruises to Boca Chita Key and its lighthouse, sailing trips on the bay and visits to Jones Lagoon. Book by calling 786-335-3644 or stop by the park store. The park says to book ahead.
Tip: Pack reef-safe sunscreen. It protects you and the coral.
Have your own boat? Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key are open for camping. Day docking costs $25 from Friday through Monday and on federal holidays, paid through the Recreation.gov app.
Homestead Bayfront Park
9698 N. Canal Drive, Homestead. Open sunrise to sunset. Phone 305-230-3033.
This Miami-Dade County park sits right next to Convoy Point, so it is easy to do both in one trip. It has a beach and a tidal atoll pool for swimming, a marina, a fishing area, picnic shelters, a big playground and a restaurant on the water. An entrance fee applies, so check the county park page before you go. For more spots like this, read our South Dade on the Water guide.
Ride the Free National Parks Trolley
The City of Homestead runs a free trolley to both parks during the busy winter season. Last season it ran on Saturdays and Sundays from early January to early April, plus daily during the week after Christmas. The city had not posted dates for this coming season when we checked, so watch its trolley page.
Here is why it is worth the wait. Trolley riders get into both parks free. The main stop is Homestead Station at 4 S. Krome Avenue in downtown Homestead. One trolley goes to the Anhinga Trail. The other goes to Biscayne National Park and Homestead Bayfront Park. The ride back from the Everglades even makes a 20 minute stop at Robert Is Here fruit stand. Seats are limited, so reserve ahead.
Tip: The city suggests one park per day. Take the whole family to the Everglades on Saturday and to Biscayne on Sunday.
Make a Day of It
Both parks are close to downtown Homestead, so plan a meal or a show on the way home. Our Downtown Homestead guide has places to eat and things to see. Headed toward the farms instead? Our Redland guide covers fruit stands, Fruit & Spice Park and more.
A few packing tips for either park: water, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat and a full tank of gas. Bring a card, since the Everglades gate is cashless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Everglades National Park?
A private vehicle pays $35. People on foot or bike pay $20 each if they are 16 or older. The park’s own annual pass is $70. The park only takes cards and digital passes.
Is Biscayne National Park free?
Yes. Biscayne has no entrance fee. You only pay for things like boat tours or docking at the islands.
When is the best time to visit the Everglades?
The dry season, from November through March. Wildlife gathers around the water, and the park offers more ranger programs.
What is the best easy walk for kids?
The Anhinga Trail. It is 0.8 miles round trip, paved and on a boardwalk, and wheelchair accessible. You may see alligators and turtles right from the path.
Can I take an airboat ride from Homestead?
Not from the Homestead entrance. Airboat tours are on SW 8th Street (Tamiami Trail), about an hour north of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Is there a free way to get to the parks?
Yes, in season. The City of Homestead’s National Parks Trolley is free and includes free park entry. Check the city’s trolley page for this season’s dates.
Where can I find events at the parks and around South Dade?
The South Dade events calendar lists festivals, markets, concerts and more across the area.
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