Houseboat rentals are available through the Flamingo Lodge. Motorized houseboats make it possible to explore some of the park's more remote regions. Reservations should be made quite far in advance. The park does not accept any reservations for developed campsites. There is a fee in the winter season, and you must arrive early and wait.
Camping is free the rest of the year.
Although short hiking trails provide access to a few select areas of the Everglades, by far the best way to explore the Everglades is by boat. While powerboats may be easier, it is only the shallow draft that will permit you to explore the many natural habitats. Canoe trails offer a chance to explore some of the Everglades' inland habitats and the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. The Everglades is unique in that there is perhaps no place in the US where you can paddle through wilderness for weeks and not have to retrace your steps. Turnpike to last southern exit.