List of National Parks in Florida
Florida is home to three very special National Parks as well as numerous wildlife refuges and historical places.
Millions of tourists flock to Florida for theme parks and beaches, festivals and fishing every year. But it’s the National Park Service in Florida that welcome visitors to experience some of the most awe-inspiring and distinct habitats, wildlife, and ecosystems in the world.
Coming Up:
List of National Parks in Florida and Tips for Visiting!
There are three main National Parks located in Florida (in additional to numerous other refuges and historical places listed below). With a range of amenities including hiking trails, campgrounds, visitor centers, and guided tours, the National Park Service welcomes visitors to experience the beauty and wonder of these natural treasures. Here’s an overview and some tips for planning your visit:
1. Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is unlike any other place on Earth. It’s ecosystems and habitats, animal life and natural resources are incredibly wide-ranging and unique. Here are some facts:
- Spanning over 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness of any kind in the United States.
- Home to a unique array of flora and fauna, including alligators, manatees, and the elusive Florida panther.
- Visitors can explore the park’s vast wetlands through various activities such as airboat tours, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs.
This National Park is so large, there is more than one entrance and many visitors centers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the breathtaking sunset over the sawgrass prairies, a sight that truly embodies the essence of the Everglades.
Or head straight south to the end of the continental U.S. through the park and check out the new Flamingo Visitor Center and get information about adventure tours, glamping and the new Flamingo Lodge!
For more information on visiting Everglades National Park from Miami and heading through the park down to Flamingo, see our blog post Visiting Everglades National Park here.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
2. Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas is a National Park on an island closest to Key West. It’s home to some interesting history, and also one of the most beautiful places to snorkel with clear shallow water and beautiful pristine surroundings. Find charter boats from Key West most days.
- Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote paradise accessible only by boat or seaplane.
- The park is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the historic Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century military fortress.
- Snorkeling enthusiasts will be delighted by the opportunity to explore the pristine marine environment teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life.
- History buffs can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the area by taking a guided tour of the fort and learning about its fascinating past.
Here’s more information from the official National Parks website on how to visit, camping options, and other planning information: Dry Tortugas National Park.
3. Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located at the southeast end of Miami. The majority of this park is underwater, though it does have a visitor center and some water activities as well as a marina.
- Just a stone’s throw away from the bustling metropolis of Miami, Biscayne National Park offers a tranquil escape into the wonders of the underwater world.
- The park encompasses coral reefs, mangrove forests, and pristine islands, providing habitat for a diverse range of marine species.
- Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and boating amidst the park’s azure waters, discovering hidden coves and secluded beaches along the way.
- Nature lovers will appreciate the opportunity to observe colorful coral formations, playful dolphins, and majestic sea birds in their natural habitat.
Biscayne National Park is worth the visit, if you want to enjoy some kayaking or take a boat tour. The Visitor Center is nice and it has a small gift shop.
Here’s more information on what to expect and how to plan your visit to Biscayne National Park here.
List of National Wildlife Refuges and Preserves in Florida
The National Park Service also protects a network of national wildlife refuges and preserves that serve as vital havens for a diverse array of plants and animals.
These refuges, spread across the state, offer unique opportunities to experience the natural beauty of Florida’s ecosystems.
From coastal wetlands to inland forests, each refuge provides a glimpse into the state’s rich biodiversity.
North Florida
- Black Point Wildlife Drive (Merritt Island)
- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (Jacksonville area)
- Canaveral National Seashore (Titusville)
- Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge (Cedar Keys)
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (Chassahowitzka)
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Merritt island)
Central Florida
- Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Fort Myers)
- Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (Lake Wales)
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Titusville)
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (Gainesville)
- Withlacoochee River State Park (Dunnellon)
- Wekiva Springs State Park (Apopka)
South Florida
- Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (Melbourne)
- Big Cypress National Preserve (Ochopee)
- Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge (Sanibel Island)
- Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge (St. Petersburg)
- Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Okeechobee)
- Gulf Islands National Seashore (Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Pensacola Beach)
- Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (Hobe Sound)
- National Key Deer Refuge (Big Pine Key)
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (Crystal River)
List of National Historical Places and Monuments in Florida
National Historical Sites and Monuments in Florida
North Florida
- British Fort (Gainesville)
- Canaveral National Seashore (Titusville)
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Cape Canaveral)
- Castillo de San Marcos (St. Augustine)
- Crystal River Site (Crystal River)
- Fort Barrancas (Pensacola)
- Fort Caroline National Memorial (Jacksonville)
- Fort King (Ocala)
- Fort Matanzas National Monument (St. Augustine)
- Fort San Marcos de Apalache (Tallahassee)
- Fort Walton Mound (Fort Walton Beach)
- Governor Stone (Pensacola)
- Maitland Art Center (Maitland)
- NAS (Pensacola)
- Norman Studios (Jacksonville)
- Plaza Ferdinand VII (Pensacola)
- Safety Harbor Site (Safety Harbor)
- Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve (Jacksonville area)
Central Florida
- Dade Battlefield (Bushnell)
- De Soto National Memorial – Bradenton
- Okeechobee Battlefield (Okeechobee)
South Florida
- Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales)
- Child of the Sun (Key West)
- Dry Tortugas National Park (Key West)
- Ernest Hemingway House (Key West)
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (Key West)
- Kinnan Rawlings House and Farm (Cross Creek)
- Mary McLeod Bethune Home (Daytona Beach)
- Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station (New Smyrna Beach)
- Windover Archaeological Site (Titusville)
- Zora Neale Hurston House (Eatonville)