Which national park in Florida is known for its mangrove forests and alligators?

Everglades National Park is the Florida national park known for its mangrove forests and alligators. Established in 1947, it protects the southern portion of the Everglades, a vast wetland where freshwater slowly flows from Lake Okeechobee toward Florida Bay.

The park contains one of the largest continuous mangrove systems in the world. Red, black, and white mangroves thrive along its coast, where their tangled roots shelter fish, crabs, shrimp, birds, and young marine animals. These trees also reduce coastal erosion and help buffer storm surge.

American alligators are another defining part of the ecosystem. During dry periods, they dig or enlarge “alligator holes,” creating pools that provide refuge for fish, amphibians, turtles, and other wildlife. The park also supports the American crocodile, but crocodiles are less commonly associated with the Everglades than alligators.

A common mix-up is confusing Everglades National Park with nearby Biscayne National Park or Big Cypress National Preserve. Everglades is the park most specifically identified with both mangrove wilderness and alligator-filled wetlands.