The Everglades is a 1.5 million-mile-acre wetland preserve, which means there’s a lot of land and water for you to explore. Being a fragile ecosystem and National Park filled with thousands of creatures and plant life, there are several regulations that must be followed when spending time here. The Everglades provides shelter to many species, and it also provides water to southern Florida, so it is important for visitors to respect this environment. If you’re planning a trip to the Everglades, we wanted to share with you some important regulations to keep in mind.

• It is prohibited to collect or disturb animals, plants, artifacts, seashells or anything else that is naturally occurring in the Park.
• Pets are not allowed on backcountry campsites, beaches or in the wilderness of the Everglades.
• Feeding animals (of any kind) is not allowed.
• All trash must be taken out of the Park with you or placed in Park’s trash cans.
• You must bring your own fresh drinking water; it is not available everywhere in the Park.
• Fires are only allowed at designated beach sites.
• Firearms and fireworks are prohibited.
• If you are aboard a vessel in the Everglades, you must abide by the U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations.
• Personal watercraft, like jet skis, are not allowed in the Park’s waters.
• If you need tide information, it is available at the Flamingo and Gulf Coast visitor centers, or online.
• Be extra cautious if your boating by any manatee signs.
• Generators and other portable motors are not allowed in backcountry campsites.
• If you need to use a bathroom and are not near any facilities, it is asked that you dig a hole in the ground at least 6 inches deep; the hole should be covered when you’re done. If you’re near a coastal ground site or at a beach, you can urinate directly into the water.
• Wash dishes and your body away from waterways.

These are just some of the Park’s regulations. To view more of the Park’s regulations, visit www.nps.gov.

Thinking about heading into the Everglades? There’s so many different ways to explore it, including an airboat tour. A ride on an airboat gives you an up-close-and-personal view of the Everglades; it’s a trip you’ll never forget. To book an airboat trip, contact Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 800-368-0005 or click here.