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Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre subtropical wetland preserve of exceptional beauty. In this wild landscape where the swamp meets the sea, coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods sustain thousands of species, including 200 threatened and endangered species, such as night-blooming orchids, manatees, alligators, and Florida panthers.

Exploring by boat immerses you in the wild, natural beauty of the park. Take an airboat tour through the sawgrass prairie, or if you're looking for a more secluded excursion, take a kayak or canoe to explore on your own. The Ten Thousand Islands area is a coastal world of mangrove forests and islands. Look for bottlenose dolphins, manatees, alligators, and crocodiles.

One of the most epic adventures in the park is paddling the entire 99-mile Wilderness Waterway that runs the full north-south length of the park boundaries and takes about 10 days. You paddle through bays, rivers, streams, and mangrove forests amongst the amazing biodiversity of the wetlands. Camp on chickees, which are elevated wooden platforms out on the water; beaches; or ground sites.

Shark Valley promises abundant wildlife viewing and houses a 45-foot observation tower with views to the horizon. You can hike, bike, or take a tram tour through the area viewing alligators, turtles, snakes, and birds. Among the Everglades' abundant wildlife are the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee.

The park is an angler’s paradise, a unique ecosystem that allows for both saltwater and freshwater fishing and vastly different fish depending on the area you visit. Cast your hook for tarpon, snapper, sea trout, and more alongside exotic birds, amphibians, and mammals.

Just east of Everglades Park lies Biscayne National Park, a reserve that is 95% underwater and one of the only places to see a living coral reef system in the continental United States. You can snorkel or scuba along the Maritime Heritage Trail, an underwater archaeological trail of shipwrecks and historical sites.

Everglades National Park provides some very cool ranger-guided tours and most of them are free. Take a starlit hike along the Anhinga Trail, a slog through knee-to-waist-deep waters in the grassy sloughs, or a meteor-shower bike ride along the Shark Valley Trail. The rangers are full of knowledge about the wildlife, native plants, and history of the park. The most popular tours require reservations.

The park has no public transportation and limited services. Plan for significant drive time and several days to see the highlights of the park. Many areas do not have cell coverage.

Other than traditional camping facilities, the only overnight accommodations available in Everglades Park are eco-tents for “glamping” at the Flamingo Campground. Most sites fill up quickly, especially during the peak season, so reserve a spot in advance.

Everglades National Park is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles can coexist. The brackish water, a mixture of fresh and saltwater, provides the perfect habitat for both. Alligators have U-shaped muzzles that are wide and short, while crocodiles have narrower V-shaped muzzles.

Visit the Robert Is Here Fruit Stand located near the park’s Homestead entrance to get a taste of the local flavors. This south Florida landmark sells delish farm fresh produce and fruit milkshakes. Plus, they have live music on the weekends and holidays.

Everglades National Park is just part of the greater Everglades ecosystem, one of the largest wetlands in the world, which also includes Biscayne National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Outdoor adventures abound throughout this 6-million-acre area that extends all the way to the Florida Keys.