10 Best National Parks in Florida

Everglades National Park is an enormous mix of subtropical wilderness and wetlands sprawling over the southern part of Florida. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to many rare and endangered species, ranging from tiny butterflies and small birds to larger and more ferocious animals, such as the American crocodile and the Florida panther.

If you love the outdoors, you can indulge in hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking in this immense park. Why not take a guided tour or enjoy a thrilling airboat experience? Use the helpful interactive maps and park information on the NPS app to plan your adventure, depending on if it’s wet or dry season in Florida.

Biscayne National Park is located right at the northern tip of the Florida Keys. This unique park is predominantly on water, so the best way to explore it is on a boating tour. Children will be entranced listening to stories of the various shipwrecks in the park, and learning the aquatic history of this beautiful area from experienced guides will be fascinating for kids and adults alike.

Why not rent a canoe or kayak and glide through the spectacular mangrove-lined waterways taking in the breathtaking scenery? Or try diving or snorkelling to capture the beauty of the stunning coral reefs up close? This calming water-based oasis is sure to relax and rejuvenate you.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a fantastic choice if you love visiting remote islands, admiring historic buildings, and swimming in clear waters. You’ll be awestruck by the sheer size of Fort Jefferson and the vast, open waters surrounding the park, which are ideal for snorkelling and diving.

This park spreads across 7 small islands and lies about 70 miles off the coast of Key West. You can only access it by boat or seaplane, so you’ll need to plan your trip in advance, especially if you’re going to camp overnight here. Check the NPS app for items you’ll need to bring with you if you want to catch a sunset and stargaze in this incredible park.

Big Cypress National Preserve lies in southern Florida, covering over 700,000 acres with its immense swampland. It’s one of the easier parks to access as it’s on the Tamiami Trail which cuts the state from east to west. The ranger-led programmes here are hugely popular and great for learning more about this unique park.

During the day, you can take a swamp tour and wade up to your knees as you discover aquatic plants and wildlife. Or if you prefer to keep dry, choose a swamp buggy. In the evening, you can participate in the astronomy programme and be amazed at the natural dark sky in this vast, open space. It’s highly recommended and the best part is that it’s free.

Canaveral National Seashore is a stunning expanse of dunes and lagoons on a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a tranquil stretch of golden sands, so it’s a lovely choice for a day on the beach combined with swimming, hiking, fishing, or even learning about the sea turtle monitoring programme from a park ranger.

For space lovers, the beaches are a popular option to view rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral. Check the NPS app to plan your visit around the next scheduled date and watch in awe as a rocket thunders into space. Viewing spots fill up fast on the beaches, especially Playalinda Beach which is the closest to the launch site, so be sure to arrive early.

Gulf Islands National Seashore sprawls over 2 non-adjoining states: Florida and Mississippi. The eastern section sits on the Florida Panhandle and is accessible by a causeway from Pensacola. If you’re looking for untouched beaches with sparkling, white sand and clear, emerald-hued water, you’ll be delighted at the miles and miles of spectacular coastal scenery on these barrier islands. Relax on the soft sand and try to spot the bottlenose dolphins which often play in the water here.

For more energetic visitors, you’ll love hiking through extensive nature trails through marshes and maritime forests. The winding paths lead you between canopies of oaks, pines, and magnolias which are a peaceful habitat for hundreds of species, including pelicans, armadillos, and raccoons.

The Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve is a fascinating mix of nature and history. It lies on the Atlantic coast, less than 20 miles northeast of Jacksonville. Fort Caroline National Memorial is the highlight here. It showcases 16th-century Florida and you’ll love the popular battle reenactments that attract crowds from all over the world.

This is also a great choice for nature lovers. The Theodore Roosevelt Area covers 600 acres of forests and wetlands, and there are some wonderful hiking trails that lead down to the beach. After an energetic hike, you can cool down on the soft sand and watch the kayaks, boats, and surfers playing in the ocean.

Apalachicola National Forest is a stunning mix of diverse ecosystems. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the myriad of hiking and biking trails through the forest. The trails are fairly wide but be sure to wear good walking shoes as the terrain passes from forest paths to swamps, rivers, and lakes in places.

The forest is conveniently located just southwest of Tallahassee, so it’s easy to access. Locals come here to fish in the various rivers and lakes scattered throughout over 600,000 acres. It’s also a haven for many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including deer, fox squirrels, woodpeckers, and salamanders. Keep an eye out for the alligators and Florida black bears too.

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument lies in the picturesque city of St. Augustine, just 40 miles southeast of Jacksonville. Originally built by the Spanish in the late 17th century, this impressive fort will delight all the family. Kids will love having their photo taken with the rangers and volunteers who are dressed in period costumes. You can also watch musket or cannon demonstrations on weekends, which will be sure to thrill children of all ages.

Visits here are self-guided tours, and maps and brochures are available at the entrance. It’s a good idea to download Castillo’s park app before arriving. You’ll then be able to follow an interactive tour around the fort which explains the displays and exhibitions.

Fort Matanzas National Monument takes you back to the mid-18th century when this majestic fort was built to protect St. Augustine. It lies on a salt marsh in the Matanzas River, so you’ll need to take the ferry to access this site.

After visiting the fort and admiring the stunning views across the river, why not enjoy a picnic under the glorious oak trees? It’s a lovely spot to relax before heading out on one of the trails. The Marsh Trail through the wetlands is a great choice for bird watchers, whilst the Nature Trail lets you explore a maritime forest. This is a fantastic day out on a budget as both the ferry and the park are free.