Gulf Coast Visitor Center

We are rebuilding our visitor center! The new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center and surrounding site are under construction until Fall 2025.

*Entrance passes cannot be purchased at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at this time. Passes may be purchased online or in person at the Shark Valley and Homestead park entrances. For more information about park entrance fees, visit our fees page.

 

Artist rendering of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City

NPS

 

Tours and Amenities

The Gulf Coast area serves as the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay. This region of the park is only accessible by boat. Boat tours are available from Everglades City. 

The original Gulf Coast Visitor Center was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017, and the temporary Visitor Contact Station was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. We are eagerly awaiting our new visitor center complex in late 2025. Additional details are available in the press release: "Everglades National Park closes Gulf Coast canoe/kayak launch and visitor contact station for construction."

Boat Tour to the Ten Thousand Islands

As construction proceeds, the tour company Everglades National Park Adventures has contracted with the US National Park Service to resume the popular Ten Thousand Islands boat tour under a Commercial Use Authorization. The tour’s 49-passenger pontoon boat, led by trained guides and joined occasionally by Park Rangers, visits the same natural and cultural resources of the Ten Thousand Islands in addition to historical landmarks along the Barron River. The two-hour tour launches from two miles north of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 929 Dupont Street in Everglades City. Tours depart daily.

Restrooms

There are no restrooms facilities available at this time.

Restaurants, Lodging, and Campgrounds

All local businesses are located outside the park entrance in Everglades City.

Wilderness Camping

Camping reservations can be made online at recreation.gov. There is a $21 administrative fee and an additional $2 per person, per night use fee for wilderness permits. A credit card is needed for all reservations.

Airboat Tours - not at this location

There are no airboat tours available through this entrance. Airboats are offered through three concession services located 15-20 minutes east of Shark Valley on Rt. 41. Please use one of the following addresses to learn about airboat tours at the park:

• Coopertown Airboats: 22700 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33194

• Gator Park: 24050 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33194

• Everglades Safari Park: 26700 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33194

 

New Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center under construction Sept 2024

NPS Photo

Directions

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are currently closed during construction. For more information, call 305-242-7700.

Physical Address:

815 Oyster Bar Lane
Everglades City, Florida 34139
[phone]

Hours of Operation

As of April 1, 2024, the Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are closed for construction until late 2025.

Boat tours that enter the park are still available in Everglades City: Everglades National Park Adventures