# Everglades itinerary: 4 days in wild Florida Canonical page: https://www.iiimmerse.com/trips/everglades Author: iiimmerse Reviewed: 2026-09-08 A four-day Everglades trip through the Homestead entrance, with boardwalks, Flamingo, one home base, booking steps, and packing help. Free plan; book directly with each provider. Rooms, tickets, meals, and transport are separate. Check live access and prices for your dates. ## Dry season · December–March Early boardwalk walks and a full day along the road to Flamingo. [Open this seasonal plan](https://www.iiimmerse.com/trips/everglades?season=dry) - Fly to: Miami (MIA) - Stay: 3 nights · Homestead or Florida City - Get around: Rent a car. Use the Homestead park entrance for both park days. - Pace: Short boardwalks; early starts ### Your home base [Homestead / Florida City lodging](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) Choose one room near the Homestead entrance for all three nights. For an in-park stay, check Flamingo Lodge and move meals and arrival plans there. ### Book in this order 1. [Choose three nights near Homestead; check parking and breakfast.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) 2. [Confirm the Homestead entrance and current park alerts.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) 3. [Check ranger programs; add a guided activity only if it fits.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/calendar.htm) ### Day 1: Arrive in South Florida - Morning: Fly to Miami and collect your rental car. - Afternoon: Drive to Homestead or Florida City. Check in and buy picnic food and water. - Evening: Dinner near the hotel. Start early tomorrow. ### Day 2: Boardwalks and wildlife - Morning: Enter from Homestead. Stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, then walk Anhinga Trail. - Afternoon: Eat at a picnic area. Add nearby Gumbo Limbo Trail if open, then return for a hotel break. - Evening: Dinner in Homestead. Refill water and prepare lunch. ### Day 3: The road to Flamingo - Morning: Re-enter from Homestead. Follow the main park road toward Flamingo, stopping at open overlooks. - Afternoon: Visit the Flamingo visitor center and waterfront. Eat your picnic; watch wildlife from a distance. - Evening: Drive back before dark. Eat near your hotel and pack. ### Day 4: Return to Miami - Morning: Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Miami airport. - Afternoon: Return the car and allow for traffic and airport check-in. - Evening: Travel home. ### If plans change Skip outdoor stops during lightning or severe weather. Ask rangers which areas are open. Shark Valley is a separate entrance, not a shortcut to Flamingo. ### Make it fit your group Anhinga Trail is a short paved and boardwalk route. Check current access; families can finish after that walk and keep the afternoon free. ### Set your total budget Price three hotel nights, flights, car and fuel, park entry, and meals. Guided boat trips are optional and cost extra. ### Before you go Bring drinking water, sun protection, and repellent. Check alerts and fuel up before entering. Stay back from wildlife and keep to open trails. ### Sources - [NPS: park entrances](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) - [NPS: Anhinga Trail](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/walk-the-anhinga-trail.htm) - [NPS: safety](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/safety.htm) - [NPS: wet and dry seasons](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm) ## Late dry season · April Keep wildlife walks early and take longer midday breaks as it warms. [Open this seasonal plan](https://www.iiimmerse.com/trips/everglades?season=spring) - Fly to: Miami (MIA) - Stay: 3 nights · Homestead or Florida City - Get around: Rent a car. Use the Homestead park entrance for both park days. - Pace: Short boardwalks; early starts ### Your home base [Homestead / Florida City lodging](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) Choose one room near the Homestead entrance for all three nights. For an in-park stay, check Flamingo Lodge and move meals and arrival plans there. ### Book in this order 1. [Choose three nights near Homestead; check parking and breakfast.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) 2. [Confirm the Homestead entrance and current park alerts.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) 3. [Check ranger programs; add a guided activity only if it fits.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/calendar.htm) ### Day 1: Arrive in South Florida - Morning: Fly to Miami and collect your rental car. - Afternoon: Drive to Homestead or Florida City. Check in and buy picnic food and water. - Evening: Dinner near the hotel. Start early tomorrow. ### Day 2: Boardwalks and wildlife - Morning: Start Anhinga Trail early, before the warmest part of the day. - Afternoon: Have lunch, then return to the hotel for shade and rest. Skip the extra trail. - Evening: Dinner in Homestead. Refill water and prepare lunch. ### Day 3: The road to Flamingo - Morning: Drive toward Flamingo early. Keep overlook walks short and carry water. - Afternoon: Visit the visitor center, eat, and return to your base if the heat builds. - Evening: Drive back before dark. Eat near your hotel and pack. ### Day 4: Return to Miami - Morning: Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Miami airport. - Afternoon: Return the car and allow for traffic and airport check-in. - Evening: Travel home. ### If plans change Skip outdoor stops during lightning or severe weather. Ask rangers which areas are open. Shark Valley is a separate entrance, not a shortcut to Flamingo. ### Make it fit your group Anhinga Trail is a short paved and boardwalk route. Check current access; families can finish after that walk and keep the afternoon free. ### Set your total budget Price three hotel nights, flights, car and fuel, park entry, and meals. Guided boat trips are optional and cost extra. ### Before you go Bring drinking water, sun protection, and repellent. Check alerts and fuel up before entering. Stay back from wildlife and keep to open trails. ### Sources - [NPS: park entrances](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) - [NPS: Anhinga Trail](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/walk-the-anhinga-trail.htm) - [NPS: safety](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/safety.htm) - [NPS: seasons and programs](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm) ## Wet season · May–November Short early outings, indoor afternoon breaks, and flexible weather days. [Open this seasonal plan](https://www.iiimmerse.com/trips/everglades?season=wet) - Fly to: Miami (MIA) - Stay: 3 nights · Homestead or Florida City - Get around: Rent a car. Use the Homestead park entrance for both park days. - Pace: Short early walks; indoor afternoon breaks ### Your home base [Homestead / Florida City lodging](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) Choose one room near the Homestead entrance for all three nights. For an in-park stay, check Flamingo Lodge and move meals and arrival plans there. ### Book in this order 1. [Choose three nights near Homestead; check parking and breakfast.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/lodging.htm) 2. [Confirm the Homestead entrance and current park alerts.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) 3. [Check ranger programs; add a guided activity only if it fits.](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/calendar.htm) ### Day 1: Arrive in South Florida - Morning: Fly to Miami and collect your rental car. - Afternoon: Drive to Homestead or Florida City. Check in and buy picnic food and water. - Evening: Dinner near the hotel. Start early tomorrow. ### Day 2: Boardwalks and wildlife - Morning: Check the day’s alerts, then take a short early Anhinga Trail walk if safe. - Afternoon: Return for a hotel lunch and indoor rest. Do not add a midday hike. - Evening: Dinner in Homestead. Refill water and prepare lunch. ### Day 3: A weather-led park day - Morning: Ask rangers about conditions before driving toward Flamingo. Use only open stops. - Afternoon: Return to your base as weather requires. Skip the long drive if storms are forecast. - Evening: Dinner near your hotel. Recheck tomorrow’s drive to Miami. ### Day 4: Return to Miami - Morning: Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Miami airport. - Afternoon: Return the car and allow for traffic and airport check-in. - Evening: Travel home. ### If plans change Do not stay outdoors during lightning. Use the hotel or an open visitor center and cancel park outings if alerts call for it. ### Make it fit your group Anhinga Trail is a short paved and boardwalk route. Check current access; families can finish after that walk and keep the afternoon free. ### Set your total budget Price three hotel nights, flights, car and fuel, park entry, and meals. Guided boat trips are optional and cost extra. ### Before you go Check storms, park alerts, and program schedules daily. Bring repellent and rain gear. Keep a dry spare outfit in the car. ### Sources - [NPS: park entrances](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/directions.htm) - [NPS: Anhinga Trail](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/walk-the-anhinga-trail.htm) - [NPS: safety](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/safety.htm) - [NPS: seasonal conditions](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm) ## Make it your trip Choose a season, pace, and group on the page. A slower pace removes afternoon stops; more time outside extends the same stops. Group choices add shared planning steps. ### Before you pay Agree on dates, total budget, rooms, and walking needs. Check the key booking first, then reserve travel and lodging with terms you accept. ### A week before Recheck access, weather, and opening hours. Save tickets, maps, and hotel details offline. Confirm meals, transfers, and any child seats. ### The day before Check in for your flight. Pack ID, needed travel documents, medicine, and chargers in your carry-on. Share the plan with your group. [Packing list](https://www.iiimmerse.com/packing-list?destination=everglades) [Short travel guide](https://www.iiimmerse.com/blog/everglades-national-park-travel-guide) Contact Us: hello@iiimmerse.com. Ask us to tailor the plan or help with the details. [Editorial policy](https://www.iiimmerse.com/editorial-policy)