As you’ve seen on the news in recent months and years, our precious parks, forests, waters and other natural habitats are in danger. From fires and deforestation to algae buildup and flooding, there’s a lot of destruction (natural and manmade) occurring.
Unfortunately, the Everglades has its share of problems as well including unprescribed fires, flooding, storm damage, too much/too little water, invasive species, and more. The Everglades is a 1.5 million-mile-acre wetland preserve, it has a fragile ecosystem, and it is filled with thousands of creatures and plant life.
With that said, it is essential as humans and visitors to this Park that we treat this area with respect and follow the Park’s rules and regulations when exploring this beautiful place.
The Everglades provides both shelter to many species, and water to southern Florida, so it is important for visitors to respect this environment. If you’re planning a trip to the Everglades, the follow rules and regulations should be kept 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 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 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.
Want to safely explore 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, call 800-368-0065 or visit our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).
