Elena Mallia 
If you are planning to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Everglades National Park (South Florida) with its tropical mangroves and beautiful alligators, you are probably wondering which is the best place to have easy access to it!
Well, you are in the perfect place to find that out: in this post, I included the best cities where to stay near Everglades National Park (you cannot stay inside!), each one with accommodation options suitable for any budget.
Every city offers something different to enjoy, so any taste will be satisfied: Everglades city is the closest place to stay near Everglades National Park, Miami is perfect if you want to party for the rest of your time, and Key Largo if you love nature.
So, now the only thing you have to do is start reading the article, but don’t forget to book your favorite accommodation some months in advance, so you can reserve yourself a spot and maybe also find some good deals. Are you ready?
Let’s go!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, check out this quick list of the best hotels to stay near Everglades National Park, divided by price range:
Here’s a map for you to visualize where the best cities near the Everglades National Park are located:
- Everglades city : best park access
- Miami : for nightlife
- Key Largo : for water activities
1. Everglades city – closest city to Everglades National Park
If you want to stay literally a few minutes driving from the Park, the small Everglades City is the best option to stay near Everglades Park, located right on the western border of it.
Due to its great proximity to the park, Everglades City offers countless ways to visit it: the Coast Visitor Center, airboat operators, and tours through its waterways… so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have a car!
And if you want to explore other wild areas, you’ll be happy to know that Everglades city sits right in the middle of some amazing natural attractions… some examples?
Here you’ll find the Paradise Coast Blueway, a network of paddling trails, the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where you can fish or enjoy bird watching, and the Big Cypress National Preserve, perfect for hiking, camping, or doing any outdoor activity.
So, in other words, Everglades City is perfect if you want to enjoy the wilderness of the National Park and of other natural spots in Florida… Can you already see yourself there? Then check out the following amazing hotel options, divided by budget:
If after a day in the wild of the Everglades Park you just want to enjoy some luxury, this hotel offers all the comforts you might need! Here you will sleep in elegant and spacious rooms and spend the day either relaxing at the onsite spa and outdoor swimming pool or keeping yourself in shape at the fitness center. But the highlight of the hotel is its great location with easy access to the Everglades, the city’s attractions, and typical local restaurants.
Other accommodation options in Everglades city
Check out this great hotel with free parking and free bicycles rental, located a short walk from the Big Cypress National Preserve
If you want to stay on a budget, this affordable hotel offers great value for the price and family rooms with free wifi and coffee maker
This 1 room studio apartment will make you feel at home away from home, offering a microwave, small fridge, electric kettle and a patio
Things to do in Everglades City
- Check out the many boat tours to the Everglades at the Gulf Visitor Center
- Go kayaking or canoeing at the Paradise Coast Blueway
- Enjoy fishing or bird watching at the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Explore the diverse Shark Valley and Shark Valley Visitor Center
- Go hiking and camping at the Big Cypress National Preserve
2. Miami – where to stay for nightlife
If after spending a day exploring the mangroves and wildlife of the park, you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city life, the vibrant Miami is what you are looking for, located at about 1 hour driving from the Everglades.
Staying in Miami means having access to beautiful white sand beaches, food markets, street art, museums, and especially crazy nightlife!
Here you go out every night of the week and enjoy different kinds of music in the many clubs, most of them concentrated in the famous Ocean Drive or Downtown… make sure you don’t miss the super popular LIV Miami!
Miami is the perfect base for those who want to visit the park just as a day trip, and if you don’t have a car, you can either take the bus from different areas in the city or join one of the many tours departing from the city.
In this lively city, you will find many cool and luxury hotels, perfect if you want to spoil yourself, but also some affordable options if you want to stay on a budget, check them out here below (and if you want more options, read this post about the best places to stay in Miami!):
Are you looking for a hotel where to splurge? Then stop here! Located directly on the beach in Miami’s famous Art Deco district, this luxury resort offers elegant suites with Asian-style décor, 3 infinity swimming pools, and a business center. Here you can spend the day in many different ways: getting massages and treatments at the on-site spa, doing yoga and tai-chi classes, relaxing at the beach, or even attending some temporary art exhibitions on site. How great is that?
Other accommodation options in Miami
Check out this modern hotel offering fully equipped apartments with access to an outdoor pool, a sun terrace, free wifi, and private parking.
If you want to save some money during your holiday, this bed and breakfast is for you, offering a delicious breakfast and shared kitchen
This cozy little studio apartment offers stunning water views and convenient location in the middle of great restaurants
Things to do in Miami
- Join an airboat ride and wildlife show at Everglades Holiday Park!
- Spend a relaxing day on the cool Miami Beach
- Just gaze at the incredible art of the Miami Museum of Illusions
- Check out the 130 art galleries of the art deco district
- Cruise the Miami coastline on this exciting speedboat cruise
- Visit the Freedom Tower in Miami downtown
- Explore the vibrant Little Havana neighborhood on this guided walking food tour
- Dance the night away at LIV Miami
Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!
3. Key Largo – best water activities near the Everglades
If you are thinking of visiting the Everglades National Park only as a day trip and you want to spend the rest of your holiday enjoying beautiful beaches and incredible watersports, you should check out Key Largo, one of the best places to stay in the Florida Keys.
Key Largo is only 40 minutes from the park, and the panoramic drive between the two places is just spectacular!
The city is known as the dive capital of the world, being home to the largest artificial reef worldwide, as well as the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: get ready to snorkel with the most colorful fish, join glass-bottom boat tours, or even swim with dolphins!
And if one day you also want to explore other types of wildlife, in Key Largo, there is the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, hosting countless unique and colorful species: raptors, owls, seabirds, parrots, and many more!
Key Largo is also home to luxury resorts and beachfront hotels from where you’ll gaze at some of the most stunning sunsets of your life, check out some of the best ones here below:
Located in Key Largo, this stunning property offers luxury villas perfect for families or groups, each one with a balcony, private bathroom, air conditioning, and a seating area. Staying here will also give you access to a beautiful garden, a sun terrace, free private parking, a private beach area, and barbecue facilities to cook delicious meals with your loved ones. Another plus? In the area, you can enjoy water activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing!
Other accommodation options in Key Largo
This great hotel offers fully furnished suites with a kitchen and a private balcony, and access to an outdoor pool, hot tub, and tennis court
Check out this affordable hotel with a private beach area, offering access to great water activities like fishing and canoeing
Feel at home in this cozy property located in a peaceful area in the middle of good restaurants and parks, with access to a swimming pool
Things to do in Key Largo
- Exploring the mangrove tunnels on this kayak tour in Key Largo
- Just relax and splash all day on Harry Harris Beach
- Enjoy the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary on this snorkeling tour
- Try delicious fresh fish at the Key Largo Fisheries
- Enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the Key Largo pier
- Explore the gorgeous coral reefs of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Swim with dolphins at the Dolphins Plus Bayside Aquarium
- Gaze at unique birds at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
| 👑 Luxury price: | $200 |
| 💵 Mid Range: | $150 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $100 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | Medium |
| 📍 Best area: | Everglades city |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Port of the Islands Resort |
| 💵 Best mid-range hotel: | Ivey House Everglades |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Everglades Adventures Hotel |
FAQs about lodging near Everglades National Park
📍 What is the closest city to Everglades National Park, FL?
The closest city to Everglades National Park, FL, is Everglades city, located just a few minutes away by car. Here you can either stay at the luxury Port of the Islands Resort or the affordable Everglades Adventures Hotel if you are on a budget.
👑 Which are the best hotels where to stay near Everglades National Park, Florida?
The best hotels to stay near Everglades National Park are the luxury Port of the Islands Resort or Ivey House Everglades, both located in Everglades City, and offering great value for the price and location at a short drive from the park!
⛔ Can I stay in the Everglades National Park, FL?
No, there aren’t any hotels available in Everglades National Park, but you can find many options in the nearby Everglades City, a few minutes from the Park, or in Miami and Key Largo, both located around 1-hour driving from it!
👍 Is it safe to visit Everglades National Park?
Yes, the Everglades National Park is safe, especially if you visit it on a tour. Otherwise, just make sure you maintain a safe distance from the wild animals that move out freely in the area, and you keep small kids close and under supervision.
🗺️ What are the boundaries of Everglades National Park?
Everglades National Park, primarily located in Monroe County, Florida, encompasses approximately 1.5 million acres in southern Florida, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of this useful travel guide! Now you know all the best cities where to stay near Everglades National Park: Everglades City if you want to stay just a few minutes from it, Miami if you want to enjoy some nightlife or Key Largo for access to great water activities.
We also saw the best hotels for each of the cities and for any budget need, which one will you stay at? If you are still undecided, here are my 2 absolute favorites, located in Everglades City:
- Port of the Islands Resort – this is one of the best Everglades National Park hotels if you are looking for luxury, with access to two swimming pools
- Ivey House Everglades – check out this hotel offering spacious rooms, free parking and free bicycles rental, all this for very good prices!
If you like them as much as I do, make sure you book them immediately or at least some months in advance, so you don’t risk losing the spot: the park is a super popular place and hotels nearby get booked out quickly!
I hope you find my travel blog useful, and if you have some questions for me, please share them in the comments below, I will be very happy to answer you!
Have a fun trip!
Elena
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