The three national parks at a glance
Florida has three national parks, and all sit in the southern third of the state. Everglades National Park spreads across 1.5 million acres of sawgrass and mangrove from the edge of Miami down to Flamingo. Biscayne National Park is 95 percent water and protects the reef and islands of Biscayne Bay just south of the city. Dry Tortugas National Park sits 70 miles west of Key West, reachable only by ferry or seaplane, and holds the massive brick walls of Fort Jefferson.
None of the three use timed-entry reservations, but the Dry Tortugas ferry from Key West sells out weeks ahead in peak season, so book that one early. The other two you can drive to and enter the same day.
| Park | Best access | Best season | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everglades | Car via Homestead or Shark Valley | Dec to Apr | $30 per vehicle |
| Biscayne | Boat or tour from Homestead | Year round | Free |
| Dry Tortugas | Ferry or seaplane from Key West | Apr to Jun | $15 per person |
Everglades National Park
The Everglades is best in the dry season, December through April, when wildlife concentrates around the remaining water and the mosquitoes back off. The main road from the Homestead entrance runs 38 miles to Flamingo on Florida Bay, passing boardwalks like Anhinga Trail where alligators, herons, and turtles gather within a few feet of the walkway. On the north side, Shark Valley near the Tamiami Trail has a 15-mile loop you can bike or ride the tram, with a tower that looks out over the river of grass.
To get on the water, book an airboat and Everglades tour from one of the operators along US-41. Give alligators distance and never feed them, and carry water because summer heat and afternoon lightning are the real hazards out here, not the wildlife.
Biscayne and Dry Tortugas
Biscayne is a park you experience by boat. From the Dante Fascell Visitor Center near Homestead you can join a snorkel or glass-bottom trip out to the reefs and the historic shipwrecks of the Maritime Heritage Trail. It links naturally with the reef diving covered in our snorkeling and diving guide.
Dry Tortugas is the reward for planning ahead. The ferry from Key West runs about 2.5 hours each way and includes breakfast, lunch, and snorkel gear, dropping you at Fort Jefferson for several hours of swimming over shallow coral and exploring the fort. Combine it with a Florida Keys road trip so the long drive to Key West does double duty.
State parks worth the stop
Florida's state parks fill the gaps between the big three. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo was the first undersea park in the country and runs snorkel and glass-bottom boats out to the reef daily. Silver Springs near Ocala floats you over crystal water on glass-bottom boats first launched in the 1870s, with wild monkeys in the trees along the river. Wekiwa Springs and Blue Spring near Orlando pair cool swimming with paddling, and Blue Spring fills with manatees on cold winter mornings.
For the beach parks, Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West and Delnor-Wiggins Pass near Naples protect some of the best swimming sand in the state. Most state parks charge a modest per-vehicle fee, usually $4 to $8, and popular springs like Ichetucknee fill on summer weekends, so arrive early. For the springs specifically, see our springs and swimming guide.
Planning your park visit
A rental car is effectively required for the national parks, since none sit on a transit line. Miami International (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) are the closest big airports to the Everglades and Biscayne, both about an hour from the Homestead entrances, while Key West International (EYW) or the drive down US-1 puts you at the Dry Tortugas ferry. Fees are modest: $30 per vehicle for the Everglades, free for Biscayne, and $15 per person for Dry Tortugas, and an America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry to all three.
Bring water, sun protection, and bug spray, because summer heat, afternoon lightning, and mosquitoes are the real challenges out here. Give alligators wide distance in any fresh water and never feed wildlife. If you are building a longer route, the parks slot naturally onto a drive south toward the Keys, covered in our Florida Keys road trip, and the springs to the north make an easy add-on, covered in our springs and swimming guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are in Florida?
Florida has three national parks: Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas. All three sit in the southern part of the state, and Everglades is by far the largest at 1.5 million acres.
Do I need a reservation for Florida national parks?
None of the three use timed-entry reservations. The only booking that matters is the Dry Tortugas ferry from Key West, which sells out weeks ahead in peak season and should be reserved early.
When is the best time to visit the Everglades?
December through April, the dry season. Wildlife concentrates around shrinking water, the weather is warm and dry, and the mosquitoes are far less aggressive than in the summer wet season.
How do you get to Dry Tortugas National Park?
By ferry or seaplane from Key West. The ferry takes about 2.5 hours each way and includes meals and snorkel gear, dropping you at Fort Jefferson for several hours before the return trip.
How do you visit Biscayne National Park?
Biscayne is 95 percent water, so you experience it by boat. Book a snorkel, dive, or glass-bottom trip from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center near Homestead. Entry to the park itself is free, and the reef and the shipwrecks of the Maritime Heritage Trail are the highlights.