We usually start a trip through the Florida Keys with a visit to either Biscayne or Everglades National Park, so I usually encourage others to do the same as well. There aren’t many options for staying within Everglades National Park, but the newly opened Flamingo Lodge in the aptly named Flamingo district of the park is a wonderful stay option. Yes, staying within the National Park means that you have a premium price, but if the South Florida environment is your jam and you’re all about epic wildlife experiences and birdwatching, you’ll love it here!
When it comes to visiting Everglades National Park, as a part of a Florida Keys trip or not, there’s a lot of planning involved as it’s such a unique place. Staying at the Flamingo Lodge is a great way to enjoy comfort and convenience in the park and it’s a great home base for all sorts of activities. If you have any additional questions about the Flamingo district of Everglades National Park or planning a trip to explore the other areas, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
Highlights of Staying at the Flamingo Everglades Lodge
I think it’s safe to say that most people heading to Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys aren’t in the camping mindset, but if you’ve come all this way you definitely want to experience it all. The Flamingo Lodge is wonderful for being able to be immersed in Everglades National Park and yet not have to camp. Being a fully operational hotel within the park, it’s much more luxury, or at least much more comfort than I expect when we’re in the Everglades.
Being able to come back from exploring at have air conditioning, showers and a comfortable bed is for sure a much more elevated Everglades NP experience than I’m used to. The Flamingo Lodge in Everglades National Park only just opened in 2024 and was built to withstand the hurricane forces that batter south Florida every year. Even when it’s stormy (but not an active hurricane warning) you can enjoy staying just off Florida Bay with wildlife just beyond your door. Most National Park Lodges are rustic and quite vintage, but the Flamingo Lodge is NOT that. Since it’s both new and needs to make through the storms each year, it’s built with sustainability and longevity in mind. It’s modern with modern touches. It’s nice, but it’s also easy to fix up if it suffers a direct hit.
Whether you’re looking to have a quiet getaway or have the Flamingo Lodge simply be your home base for epic kayaking and wildlife adventures, it’s a wonderful place to stay. The Flamingo area of Everglades National Park is incredible to experience. From crocodiles in the marina to some of the most beautiful bird watching in Florida, getting to spend a few nights here is a rare treat. If you can add a night or several at the Flamingo Lodge when you’re planning your Florida Keys trip, do it!
Room Options at the Flamingo Everglades Lodge
Since the Flamingo Lodge isn’t huge, there aren’t many room types to choose from, but luckily there is plenty of space whichever you choose. There is either a Studio, One Bedroom or Two Bedroom suite. Every room has a balcony looking out towards the Florida Bay, and parking is located under each of the lodge buildings. The one and two bedroom units also have sleeper sofas in them. The I really liked having a kitchenette in our two bedroom lodge room, as it was nice to be able to make snacks and keep things cold between driving days.
Flamingo Lodge Amenities
Knowing that the Flamingo Lodge is built on the edge of the Florida Bay with the River of Grass and waterways leading up to it from the north, there aren’t a lot of amenities that can be added to the hotel. There are trails leading from the Flamingo Lodge along the bay and over to the Guy Bradley Visitor Center, and from there into the marina. Here you’ll find a convenience store, the Flamingo Adventures kayak rentals, Flamingo Adventures Backcountry Boat Tours and docks/moorage if you’re traveling with your own boat.
There is no swimming pool here and swimming is not recommended from shore or the marina at Flamingo, as there is a very healthy crocodile population. What is available for guests at the Flamingo Lodge are picnic tables, barbecues, private decks looking out at the Florida Bay, a restaurant on site and basic needs available for purchase in the lodge lobby (connected to the restaurant). Also, there is actually Wi-Fi all the way out here, and it’s actually pretty good!
Dining at the Flamingo Lodge in Everglades NP
At the Flamingo Lodge in Everglades National Park there is one dining option. The restaurant, aptly called the Flamingo Restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and has a full bar for adult beverages. It’s not a fancy National Park Lodge restaurant like you’ll find in Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks, but the food is good, is characteristically Florida, and it’s convenient if you’re either staying at the Flamingo Lodge or are just visiting for the day.
If you’re staying in one of the larger Flamingo Lodge rooms, like one of the suites, you’ll have a good sized kitchenette, which is quite nice. Being able to do a little cooking or at least have your snacks at the ready is nice. If that’s important to you, when you’re booking your stay, try to get one of the rooms with a bigger kitchenette. The studios have them too, but they’re just a bit tighter, but still not bad at all.
Activities and Sights Near the Flamingo Lodge
I love kayaking in general, and our trips to the Florida Keys always include time paddling. When you’re staying at the Flamingo Lodge (or just visiting for the day) kayaking on the Buttonwood Canal or Florida Bay is a great activity. If you’re not traveling with your own paddling gear, it’s available to rent through Flamingo Adventures and they’ll get you set up with a good kayaking route based on the weather. book a 2 Hour Kayak Rental here OR book a 4 Hour Kayak Rental here
There are also boat tours at Flamingo, also run by Flamingo Adventures. You can do a Florida Bay tour or a Backcountry Boat Tour, both of which tend to have great wildlife watching opportunities. Book the Backcountry Boat Tour here OR book the Flamingo Florida Bay Tour here
While there may not be hiking like you typically think of in National Parks, the Flamingo area does have some beautiful trails to enjoy. The Coastal Prairie Trail goes from just west of the Flamingo Lodge and it’s very unique. The Snake Bight or Rowdy Bend trails lead to one of the best birdwatching areas in the Flamingo District, also called Snake Bight. The Mahogany Hammock, Royal Palm and Anhinga Trails are fun and fascinating, again with great wildlife opportunities.
Where is the Flamingo Lodge Located
If you’re not familiar with the layout of Everglades National Park but are planning on adding it to your Florida Keys trip, the Flamingo area is the easiest to add. The entrance to the Flamingo portion of the park is on the eastern side of the National Park, just west of the highway that turns into the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. It’s an hour’s drive from the Flamingo entrance all the way to the Flamingo Lodge, but it’s a beautiful drive and you can make lots of stops along the way. Since it’s just one road in and out, you won’t get lost.
Flamingo Lodge Operating Information
To be sure you have the best experience when you come to Everglades National Park and stay at the Flamingo Lodge,, here’s the operating information for your visit:
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, check in after 4:00 pm, check out by 11:00 am
- Office phone number: 239-695-1095
- Lodge check-in address: 1 Flamingo Lodge Highway, Homestead FL 33034
- Lodge booking link: Book the Flamingo Lodge here!
More Ways to Experience Florida National Parks
Yes, the Florida Keys have their own National Park: Dry Tortugas NP. Located way far off of Key West, this is one of the prettiest places in all of the Keys. It’s an adventure to get there but it’s worth it. Most visitors experience Dry Tortugas National Park as a day trip, but you can actually camp here too! We’ve got tip for ya…
I think the Everglades are really cool to explore, and with so much wildlife how can you pass them up. Everglades National Park is on the way to the Florida Keys, so it’s an easy addition. Whether you’re spending a few days exploring each of the districts of Everglade NP or you are just stopping into the Flamingo area (it’s the closest to the Keys), we’ve got lots of advice and ideas to have a great experience.
And you know there’s another National Park at the start of the Florida Keys: Biscayne National Park!!! While mostly known for boating and diving, Biscayne National Park is a beautiful place and is a great stop on the way to the Keys. You can experience Biscayne NP in a day and cross it off your National Parks list.
Lastly, there’s another often overlooked National Park Service area that is AMAZING. Big Cypress National Preserve shares a border with Everglades National Park and is a fascinating place to explore. Boardwalks through cypress swamps foot and paddling trails make this a really unique stop on the way to the Florida Keys.
Here are our suggestions for experiencing Florida’s National Parks:
I hope you’ll consider spending some time in Everglades National Park on the way to or from the Florida Keys, and in particular that you can stay here at the Flamingo Lodge. It’s a great addition to any South Florida trip and is wonderfully immersed in nature. If you have any questions about visiting the Everglades or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help plan awesome Florida Keys trips!
