9 Best National Parks in Florida

On your next trip to the Sunshine State, check out these top historic and scenic attractions managed by the National Park Service.

Florida is home to three amazing national parks featuring vast tracts of wilderness, providing excellent opportunities for exploration by both land and sea. However, these aren’t the only premier sites managed by the National Park Service in Florida. Additionally, other key attractions on a sightseeing tour of protected lands and historic sites in the state include national monuments, national memorials, and designated national seashores.

Moreover, in addition to the usual precautions—packing plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray—keep in mind that many of these locations are largely untamed. Alligators and rattlesnakes are common in Florida, so be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep children and pets close. Before you head out, check nps.gov to ensure your park of choice is open and get ready to explore the great natural and historic attractions of Florida.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is expansive, spread across 1.5 million acres in three counties at the southern tip of Florida. There are many rare, endangered species here, including the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee; birders come here in droves to spot black-crowned night herons, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, wood storks, and black skimmers.

You can tour the Everglades by catamaran, airboat, kayak, or canoe. If you prefer staying on land, consider a narrated tram tour or renting a cruiser bike. Alternatively, walking along the short Anhinga Trail allows you to watch namesake birds dive into the water to catch fish for dinner. Additionally, there are ‘gators here—plenty of ’em—if you’re in the mood.

Biscayne National Park

Snorkeling fans should take note of the stunning reefs of Biscayne National Park, with 95 percent of the park located underwater. Scuba divers, anglers, boaters, and lovers of all things aquatic flock here. This national park is conveniently close to Miami, so after experiencing Art Deco and salsa in the city, delve into the diverse marine life and nautical culture here. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center, serving as the main gateway to the park, can be reached by car from the Florida Turnpike or from US Highway 1. Once you’re there, you’ll want to immerse yourself in the water. The Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of eco-adventures, from snorkeling at shipwreck sites to cruising to The Boca Chita Key Historic District.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida’s most remote and least-visited national park is located in Hemingway country. If you’re in the Florida Keys visiting the writer’s one-time home, consider taking the Yankee Freedom ferry to see Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortification that’s part of the Dry Tortugas National Park—a collection of seven small islands. The views during the journey are stunning, and you’ll spot the prison where Samuel Mudd—who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth—served his sentence.

Other ways to explore the park include snorkeling in crystal-clear waters near a shipwreck, taking kiteboarding lessons, or hiring a guide for bird-watching or fishing adventures.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

The unique appeal of Florida’s NPS-operated attractions lies in their combination of outdoor activities and historic options. For instance, at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Jacksonville, you can explore incredible wetlands and waterways ideal for kayaking, alongside artifacts from the Timucua, a Native American people who once inhabited the area. The preserve’s visitor center is located at Fort Caroline National Memorial, the site of historic conflicts between French and Spanish settlers.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, situated in the heart of the historic district of St. Augustine, showcases a wealth of Spanish colonial history. This oldest masonry fortress in America overlooks Matanzas Bay and features a star-shaped design, representing a unique example of the “bastion system” of fortification. There is a $15 admission fee to enter the park for a self-guided visit. Additionally, rangers and volunteers in period costumes interact with visitors, answering questions and sharing insights about the historical life of the colonists who once lived here.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida is occasionally overshadowed by the neighboring Everglades National Park; however, this massive freshwater swamp—and the nation’s first national preserve—offers several key advantages. It is free to enter the 720,000-acre preserve, which can be more easily accessed via the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), a popular route linking Florida’s east and west coasts. Inside, you’ll discover ample opportunities for biking, bird-watching, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Rangers and commercial outfitters conduct swamp tours, nature walks, bike rides, and canoe trips, with eight campgrounds available, including some rustic options for the adventurous.

De Soto National Memorial

The Tampa Bay-area De Soto National Memorial commemorates the story of Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto, who became the first European to cross the Mississippi River. Here, visitors can participate in ranger-led kayak tours, view costumed historical reenactments, and enjoy hiking trails rich in educational information about the Native Americans who lived in the region before the Spanish arrived.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

When it’s time to take a break from all the information you’ve been absorbing at the national parks and historic memorials, you might just want to relax on the beach. The aquamarine waters and white sands of Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola entice tourists seeking tranquility away from the crowds along Highway 399. Although the area is fairly undeveloped (you’ll want to bring a cooler for your own food and drinks), there are paved parking lots with restrooms, picnic areas featuring pavilions and grills, and one campsite in Fort Pickens.

Canaveral National Seashore

Another option for experiencing unspoiled seashore is at the Atlantic Coast’s Canaveral National Seashore. Enjoy beautiful beaches, exceptional hiking, and great fishing opportunities here. This area is also one of the best spots—especially on Playalinda Beach—for viewing rocket launches from the nearby Kennedy Space Center.