T+L’s Review Flamingo Lodge in Florida’s Everglades National Park

As an alternative to RV or tent camping, visitors to Florida’s Everglades National Park can now check into Flamingo Lodge, the park’s only hotel accommodations.

Spanning 1.5 million acres, Florida’s Everglades National Park was established in 1947, initially as a wilderness park for day visitors, but local tourism advocates lobbied for overnight accommodations. In response, in 1966, Flamingo Lodge opened. The two-story lodge had 60 units and an in-ground pool, and over the next 40 years, the property became a popular vacation spot for local and out-of-town visitors.

Damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma forced the lodge to close in 2005, and the structure was eventually demolished in 2009. In the proceeding years, visitors who wanted to spend the night in the park could rent houseboats, erect tents, or park their camper vans or RVs, but the nearest hotel was located about an hour away in Florida City.

The Flamingo Lodge finally reopened at the end of 2023 nearly 20 years after its demolition. The lodge is a public-private partnership between the Florida-based tour company Flamingo Adventures and the National Park Service, and the 24-room property is constructed from durable steel shipping containers.

“The Flamingo area in Everglades National Park has been an important destination for decades of park visitors looking to explore the nation’s largest subtropical wilderness,” said JJ Condella, general manager of Flamingo Adventures, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. “The original Flamingo Lodge was a popular spot for nearly 40 years, and we’re proud to unveil the new lodge – the only hotel within the national park – together with our National Park Service partners.”

Eager to check out the new digs, I arrived at Florida Everglades National Park on a crisp January afternoon – my first overnight visit to the sprawling park. Though I’ve lived in Florida for more than two decades, I’m a self-proclaimed glamper and was hesitant to camp in the park overnight until now. During my stay, I kayaked on the bay, enjoyed a sunset boat ride through the marsh, and hiked the quiet trails – grateful to come back to a hot shower and comfortable bed each evening.

If you’ve been thinking about an overnight visit to Florida’s largest national park, here’s everything you need to know about booking a stay at Flamingo Lodge.

The Rooms

My 420-square-foot one-bedroom suite had waterproof laminate wood flooring and a kitchenette with a stove, fridge, and microwave. The main living space had a compact but comfortable sleeper sofa, workspace, and four ottomans. Though the lodge is made from a shipping container, the only traces of the industrial material inside the rooms were the white corrugated metal ceilings.

The rest of the suite featured peppy tropical decor of teal accent walls, lime curtains, and gold palm frond art prints, and the bedroom was outfitted with a queen-size bed and standalone closet for storage. Other guest room options include studio and two-bedroom suites that top out at 640 square foot, and though there are no televisions, you’re not here to watch TV when there are miles and miles of wilderness to explore.

Food and Drink

Meals are served in a 4,000-square-foot restaurant adjacent to the lodge, and the counter service restaurant has casual dishes influenced by Florida’s local flavors. Breakfast burritos and smoked salmon bagels round out the morning menu and the lunch and dinner menu includes coconut shrimp, crispy empanadas, and a flavorful conch chowder soup.

The restaurant also has a cook-your-catch option, and cooks will grill, fry, or blacken your freshly caught fish and serve it with a side of fries, salad, or plantain chips. You can take your meals outside on the patio, and outdoor grills between lodging buildings are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Experiences and Amenities

Though the new lodge lacks a pool, the surrounding park is a veritable playground for water activities. Activities can be booked through the National Park Service or Flamingo Adventures, which provides both water equipment rentals and guided tours. On my first morning, I signed up for a kayaking tour and my guide, Tim Taylor, a seasoned park ranger, gave me a colorful history of the park during our two-hour tandem kayak ride. We excitedly whooped as bottlenose dolphins and manatees glided just a few feet from our kayaks and a bald eagle swooped inches above the water, hunting for fish.

I also booked an afternoon boat tour, which was packed with families, and we floated down the brackish waterways as the guides pointed out the herons, ibis, and a grayish-black crocodile who stood perfectly still for our photos. The surrounding trails are great for biking or walking, and I spent my mornings walking the half-mile loop around the lodge.

Located just a few feet from the lodge, the Guy Bradley Visitor’s Center, named after a bird conservationist, offers interactive displays that tell the story of the park’s first inhabitants. The pastel-pink art deco building reopened in July 2023 after renovations to repair extensive damage from Hurricane Irma flooding. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater about a mile from the lodge where nature talks are conducted a few nights a week.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Built to withstand hurricane winds and sea level rises, the lodge is constructed from steel shipping containers with hurricane-impact windows, and the entire structure is elevated on stilts 13 feet off the ground, meeting Florida building code for coastal high-hazard zones.

“Incorporating considerations for durability in the face of climate change for both the new lodge and visitor center provides resiliency for these visitor facilities,” said Allyson Gantt, chief of communications and public affairs, Everglades National Park, in an interview. “We hope the new lodge, restaurant, and visitor center will encourage more travelers to discover and rediscover this unique public land.”

The visitor’s center also has newly installed low-flow plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient windows, and LED lighting. The property has solar panels on-site (though those are used to heat the bathrooms and showers in the nearby eco-tents), and the lodge is stocked with sustainable and environmentally friendly soaps and shampoos. Four ADA rooms are accessible by a walkway and elevator.

Location

The lodge is located deep inside Everglades Park, about two hours from downtown Miami and 45 minutes from the park entrance. You’ll need a car as there’s no public transportation or shuttles to the park, but once you’re at the lodge, the restaurant, visitor’s center, and marina are within a few minutes walk of each other.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Flamingo Lodge is best for campers who want a comfortable retreat at the end of the day. Though there are no bells and whistles like a spa, gym, or tennis courts — the lodge really just provides a comfortable, convenient option for overnight stays.

If you’re considering a multi-generational camping trip, older family members may appreciate the access to air conditioning, warm showers, and clean sheets (daily housekeeping is available upon request), and the lodge will appeal to travelers who prefer glamping over lodging in a tent or RV.

You can enjoy lower rates during Florida’s high season; rates start at $159 from June through October and start at $259 during the high season of November through May. There’s a 14-day maximum limit on stays, and a park entrance fee is required to enter Everglades National Park to access Flamingo Lodge and the restaurant. Reservations can only be made via phone (855-708-2207) or through the lodge’s official website.