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Flamingo Lodge Revival Combines Sustainability and Everglades Adventure

Flamingo Lodge, the sole hotel in Florida’s Everglades National Park reopened nearly two decades ago, offers visitors a unique overnight experience in the heart of the park. The 24-room lodge, built from steel shipping containers, marks a significant step in restoring accommodations within the 1.5-million-acre subtropical wilderness.

Established in 1947, the Everglades National Park was originally designated as a wilderness destination, catering to day visitors. However, advocacy for lodging led to the opening of the original Flamingo Lodge in 1966. 

Over its 40 years of operation, the two-story lodge became a favored destination, offering 60 rooms, an in-ground pool, and proximity to the park’s subtropical beauty.

The closure of Flamingo Lodge in 2005, following extensive damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, left a gap in overnight options for park visitors. With the lodge demolished in 2009, visitors were limited to camping, houseboat rentals, or RV accommodations.

Reopened in late 2023, the Flamingo Lodge now offers a modern solution with its steel shipping container construction, designed to endure Florida’s challenging climate. The public-private partnership between Flamingo Adventures, a Florida-based tour company, and the National Park Service reflects a commitment to preserving and enhancing visitor experiences within the park.

“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,” JJ Condella, general manager of Flamingo Adventures, said, as reported by 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,” Condella added.

Situated in the heart of the Everglades, the Flamingo Lodge provides a gateway to the park’s landscape. Visitors can embark on guided kayak tours, explore marshes during sunset boat rides, or traverse hiking trails. Flamingo Adventures coordinates water equipment rentals and guided experiences, ensuring guests can immerse themselves in the park’s natural offerings.

The lodge also offers convenient access to the Guy Bradley Visitor’s Center, which reopened in July 2023 following extensive renovations to repair damage from Hurricane Irma. Interactive exhibits within the pastel-pink art deco building highlight the cultural and environmental history of the park. Nearby, an amphitheater hosts educational programs, further enriching the visitor experience.

Sustainability also plays a central role in the lodge’s design. Elevated 13 feet on stilts, the structure adheres to Florida’s coastal building codes for high-hazard zones and incorporates hurricane-resistant materials. 

Solar panels on-site support eco-tent amenities, low-flow plumbing fixtures and LED lighting to enhance energy efficiency throughout the property.

“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 at Everglades National Park. 

“We hope the new lodge, restaurant, and visitor center will encourage more travelers to discover and rediscover this unique public land,” Gantt added.

Flamingo Lodge also prioritizes accessibility, offering four ADA-compliant rooms with ramp and elevator access. 

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Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: Flamingo Lodge Revival Combines Sustainability and Everglades Adventure! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/usa/florida/flamingo-lodge-revival-combines-sustainability-and-everglades-adventure/