Everglades National Park

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/31/2026

Do you ever feel like... somebody's watching you?

Birding just might be the perfect Halloweekend plan, especially if you're visiting Everglades National Park.

Don't forget that bird watching goes both ways, or you might get spooked by an Osprey like this one!

NPS photo / Brandon Cintron Gerena

10/30/2026

Reservations are now open!

Everglades National Park has opened reservations for 4 ranger programs accessible from the Homestead entrance station. Now is the time to sign up!

Paddling in Paradise: Explore Florida Bay by kayak! On this strenuous trip, we will navigate through the waters of Flamingo and experience the beauty of this iconic ecosystem.

Canoeing for Beginners:
Join our beginner-friendly canoeing adventure at Nine Mile Pond, perfect for those new to paddling! This program introduces the basics of canoeing with hands-on instruction. Paddle through sawgrass and mangrove habitats while learning about the unique Everglades ecosystem.

Wet Walk:
Wade through the River of Grass into the shadows of a gator hole or a cypress dome for an experience that has been described as something truly unique. Using walking sticks, participants will walk for a mile or more over difficult terrain.

Bike Hike:
Join a ranger for a rugged bike ride through the rare Pine Rockland ecosystem. A two-hour, six-mile roundtrip with several stops through the "highlands" of the Everglades.

Visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/soflnps/items/ for information and registration.

NPS photos

10/26/2026

Job announcement!

Everglades National Park is accepting applications for Public Safety Dispatchers at the GS 5 - 8 levels. Dispatchers receive and evaluate emergency calls within park boundaries. Using specialized computer programs, they gather important information to coordinate a response alongside emergency services.

If you're interested in working as a Public Safety Dispatcher at Everglades National Park, apply now at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/887241200. Applications close after 12/31/2026.

10/24/2026

The next entrance fee-free day for U.S. citizens and residents is Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday.

Come visit your local park rangers and make sure to tell them hello when you roll through the entrance stations!

Start planning your trip to Everglades National Park at https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/index.htm.

NPS Photo

10/23/2026

Volunteer opportunity! 📣

Everglades National Park is recruiting volunteers from the greater Miami area who are interested in volunteering for the Nike Missile Site within the park.

Volunteers will be providing front-line interpretive services for the visiting public, including giving orientation and information services at the Nike Missile Site. If you enjoy U.S. military history, are comfortable communicating with a wide range of individuals, and are excited to work with the public, this may be a volunteer opportunity for you!

Commitment would be one or two days a week. The site will be open 10AM to 2PM through the end of March.

Duties include:
• Opening and closing the Nike Missile Site.
• Researching and presenting orientation and informal interpretive services to the visiting public.
• Cooperating with others and working as a part of a team to contribute to the overall success of Everglades National Park.
• Recording daily statistics and reporting any problems or notable events.

Please reach out to [email protected] by email for more information on this volunteer opportunity.

If you'd like to get to know the Nike Missile Site better, visit https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/hm69.htm.

10/22/2026

A Rainy Day in the Ten Thousand Islands 🌈☔

Rain can transform the Everglades in an instant. An essential part of the ecosystem, rainfall helps move fresh water across the landscape, supporting the wetlands and animals that depend on it. In the Ten Thousand Islands, this freshwater mixes with saltwater to create a productive brackish habitat, highlighting the connection between freshwater, wetlands, and the sea.

When the rain comes in, wildlife may become more active. Keep an eye out for birds moving through the mangroves and fish moving in the shallows. You never know what you might spot when the skies open up!

Sometimes, a rainy day is the perfect day for wildlife watching. Just remember: if thunder roars, go indoors!

What's your favorite thing about an Everglades rainy day?

NPS Photos / G. Koulas

10/13/2026

See the world through their eyes.

Each Everglades animal provides a new perspective. Think about how life is different for each of them. How do their features or habitats change the way they live?

Visit your park to watch wildlife or stop by the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to see the "Everglades Perspectives" art exhibit to find out.

Wildlife information is available at https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/wildlife.htm.

Image 1: NPS photo of an Anhinga by Dylann Turffs
Image 2: NPS photo of an American Alligator by Lori Oberhofner
Image 3: NPS photo of a West Indian Manatee by Finnigan Bellefire
Image 4: Charley Harper's "Looking Straight Up Along Gumbo Limbo Trail"

10/08/2026

Look closely!

You just might spot a spoonful of the Ten Thousand Islands!

Roseate spoonbills are a familiar sight in the coastal wetlands of Everglades National Park, where they use their uniquely shaped bills to sweep through shallow water in search of food. In the Ten Thousand Islands region of the park, mangrove shorelines and shallow bays provide important habitat for spoonbills and many other species of wading birds.

If you could step into this photo, what would you look for? More spoonbills? Or something else?

NPS photo / R. Cammauf

10/06/2026

Bio Blitz pics!

Guided by park intern, Zito Rojas, volunteers spent National Public Lands Day at a Bio Blitz event in Everglades National Park.

A Bio Blitz encourages identification and documentation of all the species that can be found within an area. Volunteers waded through cypress dome waters, collecting data about the dome's current plants and animals.

Volunteers kept an eye out for both native and invasive species. They contributed to Everglades' research by providing information that can be used as a reference point for years to come.

Thank you, volunteers, for watching over the Everglades biodiversity! If you're interested in volunteering in your park, continue to follow along here on Facebook for future event announcements.

NPS photos / Brandon Cintron Gerena

09/26/2026

📣Volunteer Opportunity 📣

We are recruiting a volunteer from the greater Maimi area who is interested in assisting the South Florida Collections Management Team based out of Everglades National Park. Volunteer will be assisting in cataloging a natural history collection focusing on lichen collected in Everglades National Park. If you are comfortable with data, enjoy organization and contributing to a great program, this may be a volunteer opportunity for you! Commitment would be once a week.

Duties include:
Read specimen labels
Transcribe information in database
Flag unclear labels
Snapshot photo
Other museum tasks as need!

Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on this volunteer opportunity.

NPS graphic