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Homestead, Fla.
Homestead is often regarded as the Gateway to the Everglades.
Guide Sections
Use Homestead, Fla.'s guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Homestead, Fla. Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Outside the Park
Homestead, Fla., is often referred to as the gateway to the Everglades. The city is home to the park headquarters as well as the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Several hotels and restaurants are located right outside the park. Homestead was incorporated in 1913 and is the second oldest city in Miami-Dade County, predated only by the city of Miami. It is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Miami, and 25 miles northwest of Key Largo. The city is primarily known as a suburb of Miami and is named after an old railroad line that passed through the area and made the surrounding land available for homesteading. Of the cities that surround Everglades National Park, Homestead is the largest with a population of about 60,000 in 2010. Homestead offers a small-town feel with amenities similar to that of a big, metropolitan city. There's a welcoming town center with local shops and dining options, as well as quite a few tour companies that serve both nearby Biscayne National Park and the Everglades.
