Page last updated: 16 September 2024
How many people visit Everglades National Park each year?
Over 810,189 tourists visited Everglades National Park in 2023.
- Everglades National Park welcomed 1.12 million visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, this number dropped by 37% to 702,319.
- By 2021, the number of tourists visiting Everglades National Park began to recover, reaching 942,130.
- Tourist numbers increased in 2022 to 1.16 million, exceeding the 2019 figure. However, in 2023, this figure decreased by 30% to 810,189.
How much do visitors spend at Everglades National Park every year?
In 2023, visitor spending at Everglades National Park amounted to $120.65 million.
- In 2019, visitors to Everglades National Park generated $110.37 million in expenditure. However, in 2020, visitor spending dropped by 37% to $69.13 million.
- Everglades National Park recovered in 2021, with tourists spending $100.21 million.
- Tourist spending reached $124.65 million in 2022, marking the highest visitor spending in history. However, this decreased slightly to $120.65 million in 2023.
How many people visited Everglades National Park in 2023?
- In 2023, Everglades National Park welcomed a total of 810,189 visitors, with 79,365 overnight campers and 730,824 same-day tourists. This marked a 27% decrease from the 1.12 million visitors recorded in 2019.
How much did tourists spend in Everglades National Park in 2023?
- Visitors in Everglades National Park spent almost $120.65 million in 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic spending levels by 9%.
Impact of Coronavirus
Everglades National Park Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- Everglades National Park visitor numbers fell to 702,319 in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This marked a 37% decrease compared to the 2019 figure of 1.12 million.
- Tourist spending followed a similar trend. After $110.37 million was spent by tourists in 2019, expenditure dropped to $69.13 million in 2020, showcasing a drop of over 37%. However, in 2021, visitor spending reached $100.21 million, just 9% less than the 2019 figure.
Challenges Faced by Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park, known for its majestic expanse, faces alarming challenges from climate change and air pollution originating from industrial sources and emissions.
- Air Pollution – Sugarcane burning in Florida, along with industrial emissions from nearby Miami, contributes to air pollution in the park, impacting soil and water quality in the Everglades.
- Deposition of Pollutants – Nitrogen compounds disrupt aquatic ecosystems and harm wildlife. Poor air quality, increasing wildfires, and rising sea levels pose serious threats to marshes and mangrove forests.
- Climate Change Impact – Rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and stronger hurricanes increase the risk of saltwater intrusion, threatening drinking water, vegetation, and habitats dependent on the park’s unique freshwater-saltwater balance.
How will Everglades National Park solve these challenges?
- The challenges Everglades National Park is facing are being managed through efforts of updating industrial facilities to reduce pollution, monitoring air quality, and advocating for stronger climate science to address environmental challenges.
- The National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) leads the management of these solutions, including the Western Everglades Restoration Plan, to improve ecosystem connectivity and reduce wildfire severity, while pushing for stronger regulations on haze emissions and sugarcane burning.
- Experts are also currently supporting the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, which will provide clean water to reduce wildfire frequency and improve wetland health in the park.
How popular is Everglades National Park?
- Everglades National Park ranked 9th on the list of “Best U.S. National Parks in 2024” and is the top-rated park in Florida. Its high ranking is primarily attributed to its accessibility (ranked 5th) and relatively low crowds (ranked 11th).
- Everglades National park ranked 27th as the most visited national park in the U.S.A in 2023.
Read more about the U.S. National Park Ranking.
When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?
- Fall is the ideal time to visit Everglades National Park, with cooler air, vibrant autumn colours, and the memorable sound of bull elk bugling in the meadows.
- The months of June to September, when the snow has mostly melted, and all hiking trails, attractions, and activities are fully accessible, are popular with tourists.
What were Everglades National Park’s peak tourist months in 2023?
Here are the top 5 most visited months in Everglades National Park for 2023, highlighting the seasonal attractions and reasons for the high number of visitors during each month:
- March 2023 was the busiest month for Everglades National Park, attracting 101,446 visitors driven by favourable weather and spring break when families and tourists come to enjoy outdoor activities.
- February remained a popular month for visiting the park with 95,683 visitors, drawn by the cool, comfortable weather that makes hiking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities much more enjoyable.
- January welcomed 94,483 visitors as people took advantage of the dry season and mild winter weather.
- With the holiday season in full swing, December attracted 77,863 visitors. The mild winter temperatures in the Everglades offer a warm retreat from colder climates.
- April had 73,876 visitors take advantage of the last of the cooler weather before the summer heat and rainy season began. It’s a popular time for those looking to explore before the crowds thin out.
What were the most popular types of camping at Everglades National Park in 2023?
- Concessionaire Camping (68,954 visits) – The most popular option due to the convenience and amenities provided by third-party operators in the park.
- Backcountry Camping (10,411 visits) – Less popular but appealing to more adventurous campers seeking remote and challenging experiences.
Everglades National Park Facts
- Everglades National Park is the largest continuous sawgrass prairie in North America and the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere.
- It also serves as the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America.
- It also serves as the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America.
- The park is the predominant water recharge area for South Florida through the Biscayne Aquifer and is recognized as a World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Significance.
- Everglades National Park is home to 13 endangered species and 10 threatened species. The park plays a crucial role in preserving subtropical biodiversity unique to North America.
- The park contains significant ethnographic resources and hosts a nationally important estuarine complex in Florida Bay, making it a key site for both ecological and cultural preservation.
- As the only subtropical preserve on the North American continent, the Everglades is a critical “edge” area where northern and southern species converge, creating a diverse mix of temperate and subtropical species.
What are the most common causes of death in Everglades National Park?
There were 16 recorded deaths in Everglades National Park from 2007 to 2023. Here are the main causes of death in the park:
- Transportation Accidents (6 deaths)
- Drowning (4 deaths)
- Undetermined (4 deaths)
- Medical Emergency During Physical Activity (1 death)
- Suicide (1 death)
Everglades National Park Safety Tips
Visitors are key in protecting Everglades’s wildlife, natural resources, and historical sites. To ensure safety and preserve the park’s environment, follow these guidelines:
- Plan Your Trip: The subtropical climate in South Florida brings significant seasonal changes, so it’s important to prepare for the distinct conditions during the dry and wet seasons.
- Physical Fitness and Weather: Be mindful of your fitness level and the weather conditions. Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed, especially during outdoor activities.
- Know the Terrain: Familiarise yourself with the local terrain and trails. Proper preparation is key for safe outdoor experiences.
- Supervise Children and Pets: Always keep a close watch on small children and pets, as wildlife and challenging terrain can pose risks.
- Wildlife Awareness: Do not feed wildlife, and be cautious of alligators, crocodiles, and poisonous plants in the park.
- Mosquito Protection: South Florida’s wetlands are home to many mosquitoes, so bring insect repellent and wear protective clothing.
- Vultures and Vehicles: Vultures may damage vehicles by tearing rubber parts. To prevent damage, park in full sun, use a car cover, or cover exposed rubber with a wet sheet.
National Park (NP) Tourism Statistics
References
- NPS: Facts and Figures – Visitation, Ranking and Mortality Data