Table of Contents
Introduction
Florida has several famous and beautiful Florida’s National Parks where the visitor gets a first taste of the great diversity of landforms in Florida. From sub tropical wet wilds with animal and plant life to the finest white sand beaches and coral, Florida’s parks are markedly some of the most visually spectacular and endangered in the United States.
This article will tell you about the seven best national parks in Florida and after reading this article you will be furnished with all the essential details for getting there. In our next section, we will describe things to do and explore in each park, seasons and tips if you would like to have the best times in your national park in Florida. For the old like hiking or watching the wildlife through binoculars while for the young like snorkeling, the Florida national parks has much for those who love beach and sunbathing as well.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is an American park located to the south of Miami and it encompasses blue-green water, green islands and coral gardens. This park is practically 95% water which means a lot of opportunities to rent a boat, a kayak, snorkel, scuba dive or tour in a glass bottom boat.
The Maritime Heritage Trail is a chance to see some of the park’s shipwrecks and reefs which have been saved from since the 1700s. This trail is a snorkel and scuba trail which gives one an easy time in identifying the tropical fishes and the sea turtles within the coral formations, the artificial reefs and the wrecks. For those who do not have to swim, there are many attractions at the shores beginning with the islands of Biscayne National Park; some of the Islamic names of some of the key enclaves include Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key that boast of beautiful beach that comes with Nature trails which covers mangrove forests and tropical coastal hammocks.
Dry Tortugas National Park
If you would like an absolutely remote national park experience that is only 70 miles away by boat from Key West, check out Dry Tortugas National Park. Labeled as ‘way out there,’ this group of small islands is as remote as it can get, but is as bursting with ecology and history as any other place.
About 98% of Dry Tortugas National Park is sea with colorful sea life visible most of the time. Take a whole day to snorkel in and around the beautifully located Fort Jefferson Moat wall and also meet the turtles. You can even search for birds such as Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies that breed on Garden Key island just off shore the 19th century coastal Cita- del. For camping go grab an overnight tent site on the beach to enjoy a scenic view of the sky and the beach at night.
The only way to access the Dry Tortugas National Park is by high-speed ferries or seaplanes; this creates an exciting way of getting to the park and back. Be sure to take water, protective gear against sunburn and your spirit of adventure when you visit this one among Florida’s national parks. March and September are busy while August has fantastic clear waters for snorkeling. Just be sure to schedule for the overnight camping since sites get filled quickly!
Check Out: Florida: A Tourism Paradise.
Everglades National Park
Situated in southern Florida, the Everglades National Park is the most extensive subtropical wilderness in the United States: it sustains a variety of birds, fish and other forms of wildlife. Although it manages more than 1.5 million acres of marshes, sloughs, pinelands and cypress swamps. This has a social benefit as people can witness the pristine and fragile state of this diversity during the ranger guided walkthroughs available for tourists.
Or else, go for a kayaking and hiking tour more on its own across the wet prairies in which wild orchids can be spotted during the warmer months. It is also important to add that wildlife watching is also most effective in the morning and in the evening at the near vicinity of the park as well.
For more general views for sawgrass marshes that alligators inhabit, climb up the 65 feet tall Observation Tower at Anhinga Trail. Or take rented bicycles for a ride on the park’s scenic drive out to the Flamingo Campground, offering overnight camping within the park. Rangers provide informational discussions and performances at the Royal Palm Visitor Center showing everyone what an important ecosystem South Florida’s River of Grass actually is. The only thing that you have to ensure that you carry along is some protection from mosquitoes.
As much as the Everglades National Park may be accessible any time of the year, the most bearing season it receives is during the cooler dry season from December to April. While wildlife is visible throughout the year, you are now likely to encounter wet weather and lots of mosquitoes if traveling during summer. These fees are used toward research and restoration of other imperative habitats that are in the Everglades National Park.
Conclusion
National parks of Florida showcase major species of habitats and ecosystems that exist in the region. Coral reefs, sawgrass prairies and islands — different from one another — are what make each park have something different to offer: Biscayne, Everglades, Dry Tortugas. But assisting preservation, and education efforts for such delicate ecosystems at the same time.
Ensure you look at ferry and tour timetables, pack appropriately with regard to the outdoors activities if it is a part of your national park visits, and also book camping grounds before-hand if you are to spend the night in any parks. We trust that this guide will help inspire you to experience the great national parks that exist in Florida. Please let us know in the comments below which Florida national park is at the top of your list to visit.
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FAQs
How can I have the best view of wildlife in the Everglades National Park?
It is recommended that the best places to view wildlife are on the Anhinga Trail and on the Eco Pond. Go early morning or late evening while alligators, birds and other animals are most likely to be seen. Another way that guarantees an increased likelihood of seeing wildlife is by joining a ranger-guided boat ride.
Dry Tortugas National Park allows campers in but requires that there is a camping permit from the park’s administration.
Even if you are intending to sleep in a tent, there is no possibility to camp without paying for a special permit which can be bought along with the ferry ticket on the website recreation.gov. Utilities are scarce hence book early especially for peak months, at least 6 months before the time.
Is it possible to snorkel in Biscayne National Park independently, i.e. hire gear and go for a swim without joining any guided tour?
Yes! It is perfect for snorkeling because the surroundings are calm and clear for achieving excellent results of shore-based snorkeling. These are best done off Elliott Key, Boca Chita Key as well as the Maritime Heritage trail. As long as you wear an orange safety flag, use reef-safe sunscreen, and don’t touch or stand on the coral.
