Although the Everglades is outdoors and a wild environment, the Park does its best to make accommodations for people with different capabilities. The Park strives to make it a place accessible to everyone.
Hearing accessibility – For those with hearing enhancement needs, films shown at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Shark Valley Visitor Center and Gulf Coast Visitor Center include captioning. Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) are available upon request for use during ranger-led programs, the Shark Valley Tram Tour and the Gulf Coast boat tour.
Sight accessibility – The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center located at the park entrance near Homestead presents audio recordings of the Everglades environment. The restroom and theater signs are available in Braille. The Flamingo Visitor Center contains a museum exhibit with print and audio displays, The Shark Valley Visitor Center and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center offers a touch table for tactile opportunities, and the restroom signage is available in Braille.
The accessible trails in the park display interpretive signage which is in large print.
Interpretive programs and visitor center displays, when possible, have been made accessible to visitors with limited visual capacities.
Mobile accessibility – Visitors centers have accessibility to wheelchairs by ramps or elevators. There are van-accessible parking spaces in the parking lots. Wheelchairs are available to loan on a first come first serve basis at Royal Palm Visitor Center, Flamingo Visitor Center, and Shark Valley Visitor Center.
The following accessible trails are firm, paved surfaces that are wheelchair accessible and less than ¾ of a mile: Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail, Pineland Trail, Pa-hay-okee Overlook, Mahogany Hammock Trail, West Lake Trail, and Bobcat Hammock.
The Long Pine Key and Flamingo front country campgrounds both have accessible campsites. The Pearl Bay Chickee back country site features handrails, a canoe dock, and an accessible chemical toilet.
Many of the concession-led boat tours from Flamingo and Gulf Coast are wheelchair accessible. The Shark Valley tram tour is accessible as well – the trams contain a ramp for wheelchairs.
For more information and details on accessibility in the Park, contact Everglades National Park information, 305-242-7700.
Want to explore the Everglades in a fun way? 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. Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 4 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).
