Hotels and Lodges in the Everglades: Where to Stay for Your Visit

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Everglades

The Everglades cover more than 1.48 million acres at the southern tip of Florida, between the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Two main entrances, about 100 miles apart, shape the way visitors explore the park: the Ernest Coe entrance on the east side, via Florida City, and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center on the Gulf side, via Everglades City. That layout has a direct impact on where you should stay. The best gateway town changes completely depending on which part of the park you plan to explore.

The quick answer: you won't find a traditional hotel inside the park. The only non-camping overnight option inside the park is Flamingo's eco-tents, a glamping setup at the southern tip. Everywhere else, you'll choose between Florida City and Miami on the east side, or Everglades City and Naples on the Gulf side.

To decide between staying in the park and booking a room in a gateway town, the Where to Stay in the Everglades guide gives you the full picture. It covers every practical option, from Flamingo's eco-tents to hotels in the gateway towns.

Park lodges and gateway towns (6)

All LodgesGateway towns

• Lodge Flamingo Lodge Flamingo · Nov-Apr Directions ↗
• Gateway town Florida City entrance Ernest Coe · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Homestead entrance Ernest Coe · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Everglades City entrance Gulf Coast · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
• Gateway town Naples entrance Gulf Coast · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Sweetwater entrance Shark Valley · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Lodge & Gateway town data is undergoing editorial review.

The Everglades' Only Lodging Inside the Park: Flamingo's Eco-Tents

The park's only non-camping lodging is at Flamingo, at the southern end of Main Park Road. The old Flamingo Lodge, built in the 1950s, was severely damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005 and later demolished. The park concessioner now offers canvas eco-tents instead. They're elevated on platforms, ventilated, furnished with beds, and equipped with a deck overlooking the lagoon or mangroves.

This isn't a hotel in the usual sense. There is no standard air conditioning, the bathrooms are shared, and the soundscape is completely natural from dawn onward. The chorus of egrets and herons starts before sunrise, and it is a serious one. In return, you're right in the heart of the park: American crocodiles on the marina dock, manatees in the lagoon late in the day, and star-filled skies without light pollution at night.

Here are a few things to weigh before you book. The dry season, from December through mid-May, is the prime window: mild temperatures, with annual averages around 73 to 77°F, almost no mosquitoes, and wildlife concentrated around the remaining water sources. During the wet season, from mid-May through November, humid heat and insect activity can make nights uncomfortable. Book the eco-tents several months ahead for January through March weekends. If you're interested, don't wait.

Where to Stay Around the Everglades: Gateway Towns

Most visitors stay outside the park, in one of the gateway towns around the two main entrances. Here are the four bases to know, each with its own character.

Florida City and Homestead

Florida City is the closest town to the Ernest Coe entrance, about 9 miles east of the toll plaza. It's the go-to base for exploring the southern part of the park: the Royal Palm trails, where alligators are a major draw, Main Park Road to Flamingo, and Pa-hay-okee Overlook.

Hotels cluster along U.S. 1, with budget- to mid-range American chains. They aren't fancy, but they get the job done. Rates are the most reasonable in the area, generally $100 to $180 per night depending on the season. Florida City also gives you access to Biscayne National Park, about 16 miles to the northeast, making it a versatile base for a combined trip.

Homestead, 6 miles north, adds a few small independent properties and locally run bed-and-breakfasts. Logistically, the two towns are interchangeable for a park visit.

Miami

Miami is about 37 miles from the park's main entrance, or roughly an hour's drive outside rush hour. The distance may seem like a drawback. It makes perfect sense, though, if you're combining a park visit with time in the city: South Beach, the Art Deco District, Wynwood, or Biscayne Bay.

Miami's hotel selection is in a different league from Florida City's. You'll find Art Deco design hotels on Collins Avenue, boutique hotels in the Wynwood Arts District, and major chains around Miami International Airport, which is convenient for flight arrivals and departures. Rates vary widely by neighborhood and season. The first quarter is the most expensive period, especially around the Super Bowl and major South Beach events.

If you're staying in Miami, plan to leave before 7:30 a.m. so you can be in the park when wildlife is most active. The route is straightforward, taking Florida's Turnpike and then U.S. 1 toward Florida City, but weekday traffic can add time.

Naples and the West Coast

Naples is the natural gateway town for the Gulf of Mexico entrance, about 56 miles north of Everglades City. The city revolves around beaches, golf, and an upscale Florida lifestyle. Its lodging leans toward beachfront resorts and boutique hotels downtown, around pedestrian-friendly Fifth Avenue South. Rates are noticeably higher than in Florida City, especially during the winter high season.

This base makes sense if your itinerary includes a few beach days or if you plan to spend the night after a boat trip to the Ten Thousand Islands from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Everglades City

Everglades City is a small town of a few hundred residents, right on the park's Gulf-side boundary. Ivey House, also listed under the Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites name, is its best-known property. It's a low-key place run by guides and park enthusiasts, with hotel rooms, suites, and a pool. The atmosphere is the opposite of what you'll find at the chains in Florida City.

Everglades City's main advantage is convenience. Kayak and canoe trips into the mangroves and the Ten Thousand Islands leave just a few minutes' walk away. If that's central to your itinerary, this is the most logical Gulf-side base, with rates comparable to those in Florida City.

How Many Nights Should You Plan for the Everglades?

Two nights is a realistic minimum for seeing the essentials: one for the southern section, including Royal Palm, Main Park Road to Flamingo, and sunset over the lagoon, and one for Shark Valley or the Gulf Coast. Three nights let you cover both sides of the park without rushing and fit in a kayak or airboat trip.

If the Everglades are part of a longer Florida road trip, one night in Florida City is enough to target the southern section's highlights. The different Everglades itineraries will help you choose based on how much time you have.

When to Book and How Much to Budget

The high season runs from December through April. It's the dry season, the most comfortable time to visit, and hotels in the gateway towns charge their highest rates. For January through March weekends, book two to three months ahead, or earlier if you have specific needs such as a family room, water view, or Flamingo eco-tents.

The wet season, from June through October, brings more availability and lowers rates by 20% to 40%, depending on the property. Visiting conditions are less favorable, but travelers on a tighter budget may find the tradeoff worthwhile. November and May offer an appealing shoulder-season window: off-peak rates, manageable temperatures, and fewer crowds. The When to Visit the Everglades guide breaks down typical prices by season and the weather tradeoffs to keep in mind.

Typical lodging budget, per night:

• Flamingo eco-tents, inside the park: about $100.
• Chain hotels in Florida City / Homestead: $100 to $180.
• Miami hotels, depending on neighborhood and category: $150 to $400.
• Naples resorts: $200 to $500 during high season.
• Ivey House in Everglades City: rates comparable to Florida City.

You also need to add the park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, or $20 per person on foot or by bike. The Everglades annual pass costs $70 and pays for itself after two visits, or if you're visiting other national parks during the same trip.

Our Recommendation Based on Your Travel Style

For an immersive stay: Flamingo's eco-tents. Comfort is below the standard of a hotel, but waking up in the heart of the park is an experience with no real equivalent. Book several months ahead.

For efficiency and a controlled budget: Florida City on the east side, or Everglades City on the Gulf side. Maximum proximity to the park, moderate rates, and hassle-free logistics.

For a combined city trip: Miami. The distance is more than offset by the range of options around the park.

For beaches and the Gulf Coast: Naples. A resort stay flows naturally into a few days of downtime, and the Ten Thousand Islands are easy to reach.

For families with children, the Everglades with Kids guide lists the best-suited lodging and activities for all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions