A New Chapter for the Gulf Coast
Feathers in focus: the Everglades up close.
(william jordan via Getty Images)
On December 12, Everglades National Park will cut the ribbon on the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City. The two‑story facility replaces the Gulf Coast Visitor Center destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017, and it represents more than just bricks and mortar. For park leaders, the opening is a milestone in resiliency, sustainability, and community connection.
The National Park Service (NPS) announced in its official news release that the ribbon-cutting will take place on December 12 in Everglades City. The event will feature remarks from NPS officials, guided tours of the building’s sustainable features, and short boat excursions from the marina to view the center from the water.
Superintendent Pedro Ramos called the new center “a milestone in resiliency and community connection for the Gulf Coast,” underscoring the importance of restoring services to an area long impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Honoring a Conservation Icon
The new center fulfills Congress’s 1989 authorization to establish a visitor center named for Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the journalist and author whose landmark book The Everglades: River of Grass transformed public perception of the wetlands. Douglas’s tireless advocacy helped secure the park’s establishment in 1947, and naming the Gulf Coast gateway in her honor ensures her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Built for the Future
Designed with resiliency at its core, the visitor center meets LEED Silver standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a national benchmark for green building) and is engineered to withstand hurricane‑force winds and storm surges. Key features include:
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Elevated site design to reduce flooding from storm events and king tides.
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Native landscaping and shoreline stabilization to protect natural resources.
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Expanded marina basin with floating docks and improved kayak launch.
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Public entryway and pedestrian walkways for enhanced visitor access.
Together, these elements reflect a commitment to sustainability while restoring amenities that visitors and the local community have missed for years.
Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Visit
Season of abundance: birds, gators, and more thrive in winter.
(Mark C Stevens via Getty Images)
Julie and I visited Everglades National Park in winter, and it quickly became one of our favorite national park experiences. While much of the country is bundled up, South Florida offers mild temperatures, lower humidity, and fewer mosquitoes, making it one of the best seasons to explore.
We saw plenty of alligators basking in the sun and flocks of wading birds, and we enjoyed airboat tours that run throughout the winter months. For birders, the Everglades is a paradise, with migratory species adding to the already rich diversity.
At the time, we didn’t explore the Gulf Coast area — partly due to limited time, but also because the visitor center and amenities were absent. That’s why this announcement is so exciting. The new center opens up opportunities to kayak through mangrove tunnels, launch boats from improved docks, and experience a side of the park that has been harder to access.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re considering a trip, the Everglades offers multiple entrances and distinct experiences. The Gulf Coast area, now anchored by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center, provides access to the Ten Thousand Islands and mangrove waterways. Other entrances lead to Shark Valley, Flamingo, and the main Homestead area.
For more on choosing the right entrance, see our guide to navigating the park’s different areas.
And if you’re curious about timing, check out our article on the best time to visit Everglades National Park.
A Celebration of Resilience
The ribbon cutting on December 12 isn’t just about opening doors — it’s about reopening possibilities. For Everglades City, the new visitor center restores a vital connection to the park. For travelers, it offers a sustainable gateway to one of America’s most unique ecosystems. And for Marjory Stoneman Douglas, it ensures her voice continues to echo across the River of Grass she fought to protect.
Event Details
If you’d like to attend, here’s what to know:
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Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
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Location: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln., Everglades City, FL
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Admission: Free and open to the public