7 Best National Parks In Florida, USA - Updated 2024

Christine
Christine 
Updated
| 3 min read

The state of Florida is a scenic tourist destination situated near the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It has a beautiful coastline with hundreds of miles of beaches. Florida undoubtedly attracts millions of tourists because of its numerous attractions like Everglades National Park, which is the largest subtropical wilderness in the USA. There is also the legendary Dry Tortugas National Park, most popular for its military past. You can also visit Biscayne National Park, a haven for marine life. Keep reading to find out more about the best national parks in Florida, USA.

1. Everglades National Park (from USD 36.99)

national parks in florida | everglades national park

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the USA. The park comprises millions of acres of grassy, slow-moving river, making it a wetland made of sawgrass marshes and mangroves. Everglades National Park has abundant wildlife such as alligators and crocodiles, all of which can be seen in Shark Valley. It is home to endangered species such as the leatherback turtle and the famous Florida panther. This national park also has canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking trails and offers boat and mangrove tours.

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Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

Duration: 1.0 hour

3987 reviews

2. Dry Tortugas National Park

Situated in the west of Key West, Dry Tortugas comprises seven islands. Some coral reefs, along with surrounding waters and shores, make up the famous Dry Tortugas National Park. The park is known for its military past and is also famous for its indigenous birds and marine life as well as the legends of pirates and sunken gold. The park is both fun and educational as you can get to learn about the legendary Fort Jefferson National Monument and enjoy boat riding, swimming, camping, and other fun activities.

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Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West

Duration: 10 hours

410 reviews

3. Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Yinan Chen used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Biscayne National Park has it all, from emerald islands to mangrove forests. The park features stunning aquamarine waters. Biscayne National Park also has evidence of tens of thousands of years of human history, pirates, and shipwrecks, as well as farmers and presidents. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy engaging activities such as camping, boat riding, wildlife watching, diving, and fishing. You can rent a kayak or a canoe, and explore the park’s mangrove shorelines and shallow waters.

Biscayne National Park

Address: Florida, United States

Website: Biscayne National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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4. Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve boasts beautiful spots that are worth visiting including Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation and is one of the last unspoiled wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover human history and experience the beauty of the coastal wetlands. Each of the park’s area can offer unique wildlife for you to explore. The park preserves natural treasures of hardwood forest, wetlands, and scrub vegetation. You can enjoy fun activities like hiking and discover several beautiful ecosystems while you admire the beauty of the river and salt marshes.

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Address: 12713 Ft Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, United States

Website: Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Free

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5. Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bubba73 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

With an undeveloped shoreline, Canaveral National Seashore houses thousands of species of animals and plants, and it is composed of dunes, hammocks, and lagoons that provide protection from storms. Canaveral National Seashore has a fascinating variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. The park is home to 15 species of endangered animals and birds.

Canaveral National Seashore

Address: S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796, United States

Website: Canaveral National Seashore

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Vehicles: 20 USD; Motorcycles: 15 USD; Walk-in/bicycle-in: 10 USD; Commercial vehicles: 100 USD

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6. Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tony Webster used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Gulf Islands National Seashore has a rich and complex history about the people and places that shaped the United States of America. This motivated Americans in the 20th century to advocate for the creation of Gulf Islands National Seashore. You can relax and enjoy the gulf’s warm emerald waters, white sandy beaches, aquamarine waters, fishing, boat riding, camping, and even a tour of the old fort. A lot of people visit the island in the northern Gulf of Mexico to relax, unwind, and explore some fun activities and wildlife. Gulf Island National Seashore is definitely a must-see as it is a secluded unspoiled area that has been preserved beautifully.

Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida area)

Address: Gulf Breeze, FL 32563, United States

Website: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 7pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 15 USD

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7. Big Cypress National Preserve

Alligator in Big Cypress National Preserve
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bill Golladay used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Big Cypress National Preserve offers the public diverse opportunities to explore its landscape. There is also a wide range of activities that many national parks do not offer such as hunting, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. Hunting, a long-standing recreational activity, still goes on at Big Cypress Preserve, where common species of interest are turkeys in the spring season and whitetail deer in the fall season. With a Florida freshwater fishing license, you can also enjoy fishing here.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Address: 33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141, United States

Website: Big Cypress National Preserve

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 9am - 6pm (closed on Sat)

Price: Free

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Explore beautiful national parks in Florida

Florida has stunning national parks where visitors can witness a wide range of plants and wildlife including endangered species. You can also enjoy some fun outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and canoeing in the park. If you are planning to visit this state anytime soon, this list of the best national parks in Florida, USA, may come in handy.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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