Gulf Coast Visitor Center

*Due to construction, entrance passes cannot be purchased at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at this time. Passes can still be purchased from the Shark Valley and Homestead park entrances. For more information about park entrance fees, visit our fees page.

 

Temporary Visitor Contact Station at Gulf Coast

NPS Photo

Directions

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are currently closed due to construction. For more information, call 239-232-0057.

For more information on the construction, please read "Everglades National Park closes Gulf Coast canoe/kayak launch and visitor contact station for construction."

Physical Address:

815 Oyster Bar Lane
Everglades City, Florida 34139
[phone]

 

Gulf Coast Visitor Center Desk

NPS Photo

Hours of Operation

As of April 1st, the Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are closed for construction.

 

Amenities

The Gulf Coast area serves as the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay. This region of the park is only accessible by boat.
The original Gulf Coast Visitor Center was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017. The temporary Visitor Contact Station was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Visitor services are limited.

Contact by Phone
239-232-0057

Boat Tour to the Ten Thousand Islands

As construction proceeds, the tour company Everglades National Park Adventures has contracted with the US National Park Service to resume the popular Ten Thousand Islands boat tour under a Commercial Use Authorization. The tour’s 49-passenger pontoon boat, led by trained guides and joined occasionally by Park Rangers, visits the same natural and cultural resources of the Ten Thousand Islands in addition to historical landmarks along the Barron River. The two-hour tour launches from two miles north of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 929 Dupont Street in Everglades City. Tours depart daily.

Restrooms

There are no restrooms facilities available at this time.

Restaurants, Lodging, and Campgrounds

All local businesses are located outside the park entrance in Everglades City.

Wilderness Camping

Camping reservations can be made online at recreation.gov. There is a $21 administrative fee and an additional $2 per person, per night use fee for wilderness permits. A credit card is needed for all reservations.