The Everglades River of Grass Highway Driving Tour
The Everglades River of Grass Highway Driving Tour
$14.99
Estimated Time
Distance
Works Offline
Tours & Maps Included
Tour Highlights
- Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Start where the park begins and learn about the landscape architect who spent 20 years fighting to protect the Everglades.
- Royal Palm & the Anhinga Trail
Walk one of the best wildlife boardwalks in the park, full of alligators, herons, and the "snake bird" that swims with only its neck above water.
- Pinelands Trail
Explore the largest pine rockland left in the United States, one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth.
- Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook
Climb to a raised platform with sweeping views of the "Grassy Waters," the same view Seminole scouts once used to track soldiers.
- Mahogany Hammock
Stroll a shaded boardwalk through a tropical hardwood forest with some of the largest mahogany trees in the country.
- Paurotis Pond
Stop at a birdwatching hotspot where wood storks and roseate spoonbills nest in the dry season.
- West Lake Trail
Walk a boardwalk through one of North America's largest mangrove forests, where both alligators and crocodiles live.
- Mrazek Pond
Pull over at one of the park's best birding spots, especially during winter's dry season.
- Guy Bradley Visitor Center & Flamingo
End at the edge of Florida Bay and hear the story of Guy Bradley, the game warden whose death helped end the plume trade.
Is This Tour Right for You?
Perfect if you:
Love history and fascinating stories
What To explore at your own pace
prefer a private experience
What to avoid expensive group tours
Maybe not if you:
Don't have a phone
Like to follow the tour guide
Don't like stories
Don't like to go at your own pace
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does the Everglades driving tour take?
The 38-mile drive takes about an hour without stopping. Most visitors spend half a day once they add trails, boardwalks, and photo stops.
- Does the tour work without cell service?
Yes. Download the tour before you go, and it runs completely offline using your phone's GPS. That matters here, since cell service is spotty inside the park.
- Can I pause the tour or explore at my own pace?
Yes. This is a fully self-guided tour—pause anytime to walk a boardwalk or watch wildlife, and press play when you're back on the road.
- Does the tour include the park entrance fee?
No. Everglades National Park charges its own entrance fee, paid to the National Park Service. At the time this tour was made, it was $35 per vehicle, good for seven days, and non-US residents ages 16 and up paid an extra $100 each. The park takes cards only
—no cash—or you can buy a digital pass online before you go.
- Does the tour include an airboat ride?
No. This is a self-guided driving tour along Main Park Road. Airboat rides are run by private companies in other parts of South Florida and are booked separately.
- Will I see alligators?
Very likely, especially at the Anhinga Trail in the dry season. Watch the road, too—alligators sometimes bask on the pavement.
- What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The dry season, from November through April, is best. Wildlife gathers near water, and the weather is cooler with fewer mosquitoes.
- Is this tour appropriate for kids?
Yes. It's a family-friendly nature and history tour, with lots of short, easy boardwalks to get out and stretch.
- Do I need a special vehicle?
No. Main Park Road is fully paved and fine for any car.
- Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead and ends at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo.
Why You'll Love ThisTour
Do It Anytime
Start when you’re ready.
Pause Anytime
Take a break and pick up right where you left off.
Professional Narration
Engaging stories from expert guides.
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