FAQ
The short version of everything in the guides — what people actually ask before they go.
On the park's fees page, a private vehicle pass costs $35, a motorcycle $30 and a visitor on foot or by bike $20, each valid for 7 days at all entrances. Under-16s are free. Non-US residents aged 16 and older pay an extra $100 unless they hold an Annual or America the Beautiful pass; our tickets and entrances guide has the details.
Only three. The park lists Coopertown, Gator Park and Everglades Safari Park, all on the Tamiami Trail (US 41) 15 to 20 minutes east of Shark Valley. The park runs no airboats itself, and every other Everglades airboat ride is outside the national park; our airboat tours guide explains the difference.
Everglades Safari Park lists its 30 to 40-minute ride at $44.00 per adult, with an $8 park fee included. Outside the park, Everglades Holiday Park lists $41.99 per adult plus tax and fees. The tours page compares shared, private and Miami-pickup rides.
For Shark Valley and the airboats, take the Florida Turnpike to US 41 and drive 25 miles west. For the main entrance, take the Turnpike south to Florida City and Palm Drive. Without a car, the seasonal Homestead trolley is the only public transportation into the park; see our guide to getting there from Miami and Naples.
Everglades City: about 35 miles east of Naples on US 41, then about 3 miles south on County Road 29. It is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, seen on 2-hour boat tours. Shark Valley is approximately 70 miles east of Naples.
The dry season, which the park's visitor pages put at November through April: average highs of 77°F, fewer mosquitoes and wildlife gathered near water. In the wet season highs reach 90°F, storms come most afternoons and animals disperse.
Not to enter the park: passes are sold online and at the Homestead and Shark Valley entrance stations, and the Homestead entrance is open 24 hours a day. Book the Shark Valley tram and private airboats ahead in winter, when Shark Valley's parking usually fills by 10 a.m.
On your own you need a car: the three entrances do not connect inside the park, and ride-hail drivers are hard to find for the return. A tour from Miami handles transport and the airboat; check where the ride starts and whether the $100 nonresident fee is included. The tours page compares them.