Flamingo

The waters around Flamingo are the heart of the experience. Boat tours head out into Florida Bay or up the mangrove-lined channels, offering chances to see dolphins, sea turtles, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, and more. Kayakers and canoeists can explore the calm coastal creeks and the famous Wilderness Waterway.

Flamingo is one of the few places where both American alligators and the rarer American crocodile can be seen, since it lies where fresh and salt water mingle. Manatees are frequent visitors to the marina, and the birdlife is exceptional, especially in the dry season.

Flamingo lies at the end of the roughly 38-mile road from the park's main entrance near Homestead, a drive of about an hour that passes several other worthwhile stops along the way. At the end are a visitor center, marina, campground, and rebuilt lodging, the base for a coastal Everglades adventure.

Because it is so far from any city, Flamingo also has wonderfully dark night skies, making it a rewarding place to linger after sunset and take in the stars. Insect repellent is essential in the warm, wet months, and it is worth checking current tour and rental operations before visiting.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Flamingo is the remote southern tip of Everglades National Park, Florida, where the freshwater glades meet the sea at Florida Bay, at the end of the main park road. It serves as the base for exploring the coastal Everglades, with a visitor center, marina, campground, and lodging. From here, boat tours and paddling trips head into the mangroves and out onto the bay, and it is one of the better places in the park to see manatees, American crocodiles, and abundant coastal birds. Far from any city, Flamingo also offers dark skies for stargazing, making it a rewarding destination for a true wilderness experience.

Flamingo is reached by driving the main park road from the Everglades National Park entrance near Homestead all the way to its end, a distance of roughly 38 miles that takes about an hour, passing several worthwhile stops like the Anhinga Trail and Pa-hay-okee Overlook along the way. There is no other road access, so the drive is part of the experience. At the end you will find the visitor center, marina, and campground. Because services, tours, and lodging at Flamingo can change and may be seasonal, it is a good idea to check current park information before making the long drive down.

Yes, Flamingo is one of the better places in Everglades National Park to see both manatees and American crocodiles. Manatees frequently drift into the waters around the marina, especially in the cooler months, where they can sometimes be watched from the docks. American crocodiles, which are rarer than alligators and favor the brackish and salt water where the glades meet the sea, are also seen basking along the banks near Flamingo. Because this is where fresh and salt water mingle, it is one of the few places where both crocodiles and alligators live. As always, keep a safe distance and never approach or feed the wildlife.

At Flamingo you can take a boat tour into the mangroves or out onto Florida Bay, rent a kayak or canoe to explore the coastal creeks and channels, go fishing, camp, and watch for manatees, crocodiles, dolphins, and abundant birdlife. It is also the northern gateway to the famous Wilderness Waterway for experienced paddlers. On land, there is a visitor center and rebuilt lodging, and after dark the remote location offers excellent stargazing under dark skies. Flamingo is the base for experiencing the wild coastal side of the Everglades, so plan to spend at least a few hours, and check current tour and rental availability before you go.