Entrance Fee Changes -
Fees will increase on January, 1, 2024. To veiw the related news release visit Everglades increases park entrance fees. |
| Type of Recreation Fee | Former | As of Jan 1, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle / Vessel Entrance | $30 (7-day pass) | $35 (7-day pass) | |
| Motorcycle | $25 (7-day pass) | $30 (7-day pass) | |
| Pedestrian / Cyclist / Human Powered Paddle-craft | $15 (7-day pass) | $20 (7-day pass) | |
| Everglades Annual Pass | $55 (12-mo. pass) | $70 (12-mo. pass) | |
| Wilderness Permit | $21/permit + $2/person/per night | Unchanged | |
| Commercial Van: 7-15 passengers | $75 | $125 | |
| Commercial Mini-Bus: 16-25 passengers | $100 | $200 | |
| Commercial Motorcoach: 25+ passengers | $200 | $300 |
National Park Entrance Fees
The fee changes at Everglades National Park are part of a broad National Park Service (NPS) initiative to standardize fee rates in parks across the country. As part of ongoing efforts to address aging park infrastructure and improve the visitor experience, entrance fee changes were intended to go in effect in 2020. These changes were postponed until the completion of the overnight lodging facilities in Flamingo, which opened November 1, 2023.
The previous fee increase took place on January 1, 2019. The park also streamlined the fee program and eliminated more than half a dozen fees. Before that, fees increased in 2015 as the result of national changes to the entrance fee program. Prior to that, fees had been unchanged for nearly 20 years.
In both 2017 and 2018, the park conducted extensive civic engagement on the proposed fee increases through in-person public meetings, social media, park website, news releases, and news articles. The majority of public input was supportive of the fee changes. The primary requests were about making it as convenient as possible for people to obtain an entrance pass. As a result, the park offers the ability to purchase passes online and from third party concessioners and commercial-use operators.
Out of more than 400 national parks, just over 100 charge an entrance fee. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the NPS to collect and retain revenue and requires that fee revenue be used to enhance the visitor experience. At least 80 percent of the money stays in the park where it is collected, and the other 20 percent is used to benefit parks that do not collect fees. More information and FAQs are available on NPS.gov.
National Park lands are major financial investments. Although Congress expected general revenues to remain a major source of national park funding, it clearly considered recreation fees as an important supplemental revenue source for the parks when it authorized parks to charge recreation fees through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Park lands require and continue to need development for visitor access and accommodation, interpretation of park resources, and maintenance of facilities along with other improvements.
In Everglades National Park, 80 percent of entrance fees stay in the park and are devoted to spending that supports the visitor experience. The other 20 percent of entrance fee income is distributed to national parks that do not collect entrance fees, such as Biscayne National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve for their projects.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) requires that fee revenue be used to enhance the visitor experience. Entrance fees are used to provide, sustain, and enhance visitor services at Everglades National Park. Some examples of projects funded in the last five years from entrance fees at Everglades National Park:
- Rehabilitate Back Country Camping Facilities
- Installation of new shower houses in Long Pine Key Campground
- Installation of new entrance signs at Pine Island, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast
- Replacement of the Anhinga Boardwalk at Royal Palm
- Replacement of the Bobcat Boardwalk at Shark Valley
- Reconstruction of the Flamingo Visitor Center
- Reconstruction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitors Center in the Gulf Coast District
- Repaving of the main entrance road
- Replace Marine Route Markers in the Florida Bay District
- Replace Marine Route Markers in the Gulf Coast District
- Replace Marine Route Markers in the Flamingo District
- Rehabilitation of the Gumbo Limbo Trail
- Rehabilitation of the sewage lift stations in the Flamingo District
Yes. Park visitors are required to have a valid entrance pass when in the park, regardless of when or where they enter. Passes can be purchased 24/7 online at recreation.gov.
Passes can be purchased at the Everglades National Park main entrance in Homestead, at the Shark Valley entrance, in the Gulf Coast visitor center, or online at recreation.gov. Additional pass options are available at: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.
The annual pass for Everglades National Park allows entrance to the pass holder and those traveling with him/her in a single private, non-commercial vehicle or vessel. The annual pass is valid for 1 year through the month of purchase. For example, if you purchase a pass on December 15, 2023, it is valid through December 31, 2024.
Not necessarily. All passes will be honored up to their expiration dates. Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. If lost or stolen, a new pass will need to be purchased.
Yes. Entrance fees are not charged to persons 15 and under. If you are permanently disabled, a member or veteran of the U.S. Military, a volunteer for the NPS, or a child in 4th grade, you may be eligible for a free entrance pass. Senior Passes are available at special rates for US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over.
Since 2012, currently serving members of the military and their dependents have been eligible for a free Military Annual pass. In gratitude for their service and sacrifice, U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families can receive free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas.
Details and purchase information for the various options in the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass Series can be found at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.
Additionally, the public is invited annually to experience national parks, without entrance fees. Dates for 2024 are:
- January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 20 – First Day of National Park Week
- June 19 – Juneteenth
- August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
- September 28 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
Beginning January 1, 2024, all America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Annual Passes will have a single signature line for one passholder. This is a change from the previous policy of allowing for two signatures on the Interagency Annual pass. Each NPS Park-Specific Annual Pass will also change to one signature for program unity and efficiency.
Boating and Entrance Passes
Yes. Private boaters pay entrance fees the same way as all other visitors. Passes are available at park entrance stations or online at recreation.gov. The above table will help determine the appropriate fee for your vessel.
Revenue generated from recreation fees is used for items such as navigational aids and backcountry facilities. These facilities are important for the shared use and enjoyment of all park visitors.
No, a park pass is not required for boaters who are only transiting through the park in the most direct route possible and not stopping.
No. Should your vessel encounter foul weather, you are allowed to seek shelter in the park without being subject to the entrance fee. However, you are not allowed to recreate while inside the boundaries for the purpose of safe harbor.
The mandatory boater education program is available on the park website free of charge. This boater education course was created to orient and educate boaters to the unique features of the park’s marine waters and protect the underwater resources from resource including prop scars and grounded vessels. A permit will be issued upon completion of the boater education program.
Last updated: April 1, 2024