Summer is coming to Everglades National Park, and that means some changes in visitor services in some parts of the park.

For starters, the majority of campsites at Flamingo, located at the extreme southern tip of the park approximately 38 miles south of the park’s main entrance near Homestead, and in the Long Pine Key Campground, located seven miles from the main entrance, will be closed.

At Flamingo, all camping will be on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. A limited number of campsites in A Loop and T Loop (electric sites) and walk-ins will be available. As of June 1, limited camping at Flamingo will be available. At Long Pine Key Campground, eight campsites will remain open until June 1, when the entire campground will be closed until late November.

Flamingo Visitor Center:

Starting April 19, there will be no ranger programs available in Flamingo for the duration of the summer season. The visitor center will be staffed intermittently. Backcountry permits will be free and on a self-registration basis. All permit information will be available at the visitor center lobby, 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Flamingo Marina Store and Restaurant:

The Buttonwood Café will close for the summer on Wednesday, April 15. The Marina Store hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until sometime in May. All rental information and boat tour information and times will remain the same until sometime in May. The Backcountry Boat Tour operates daily at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every hour on the hour (duration 1 hour and 45 minutes). The Florida Bay Tour operates daily at 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 and 6 p.m. (duration 1 hour 30 minutes).

Summer Season at Royal Palm, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast:

Each district will be transitioning into summer season, when ranger guided programs are reduced in number. When visiting most areas of the park during the wet summer season, please be prepared for mosquito activity and possible afternoon rain storms. See the park website for a complete list of current times and programs:  (Note: Some ranger-guided programs require reservations in advance. Required reservations are specified in program schedules.)

Concession-operated tours continue through the summer, including guided tram tours and bicycle rentals at Shark Valley, boat tours and canoe rentals at Gulf Coast, and houseboat, canoe, kayak, bicycle rentals and boat tours at Flamingo.

More information is also available by contacting [email protected], or calling (305) 242-7700 (during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).