When we talk about Florida Parks, we immediately imagine roller coasters and Mickey ears. But you can stop there! Although theme parks are one of the region’s biggest attractions, Florida’s Natural Parks are not far behind! The region has lush nature and much of it is untouched within national and state protection reserves.
Discover now some of the most beautiful Natural Parks in Florida, close to Orlando, Miami and other tourist cities – easy to include in your travel itinerary!
Read too: Florida cities: destinations and main regions to visit
Florida Natural Parks: National Parks
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is a huge conservation area made up of freshwater, saltwater and mangroves, sawdust swamps and pine plains that are also home to several species of animals, eagles, herons, manatees and, of course, crocodiles, the stars of the park.
The trip to Everglades National Park can be done from Naples, Miami or Fort Lauderdale and fits well into a day trip. The most popular way to get to know the region is through airboatsa type of propeller-driven vessel that travels through the marshy and mangrove labyrinths and provides an immersion in all the biodiversity of the place.
Dry Tortuga National Park
Located 112 kilometers from Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of an archipelago of seven islands, full of golden sand beaches and coral reefs that give the place the look of paradise. The turquoise waters surrounding the islands are perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and diving. In addition to colorful fish, you can also be surprised by nurse sharks and, of course! The turtles! The place brings together several species of them: there are green turtles, hawksbill turtles, leatherback turtles and common turtles.
Be sure to also visit the imposing Fort Jefferson, a 19th century hexagonal structure that served to protect the Gulf of Mexico from invasions. At the time, the location was an important trade route.
Biscayne National Park
Almost completely immersed in crystal-clear blue waters, Biscayne National Park is close to Miami and the Florida Keys. And if you expect to find trails and trees in a nature reserve, think again. This is a marine preservation area, which protects numerous species of aquatic animals at risk of extinction.
There are around 700 square kilometers of park, which also includes several islands and mangrove areas, as well as the Florida Barrier Reef, the only living reef in the United States and one of the largest in the world!
Biscayne National Park is just an hour from downtown Miami.
Florida Natural Parks: State Parks
Florida has more than 150 state parks and reservations maintained under the authority of the Florida State Parks system. Here we list some of the coolest ones to visit. There are natural park options near Orlando, Miami and other tourist cities in the state.
Wekiwa Springs State Park, near Orlando
Located 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, Wekiwa Springs State Park preserves the largest spring in the region. With blue and green waters, this place is the origin of the Wekiva River. This is a great place to cool off in the scorching Florida summers!
The Park also has fun on land: there are more than 20 kilometers of natural trails to follow on foot or by bike, as well as a picnic and camping area.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Located 5 hours from Miami and just 1h30 from Orlando, Rainbow Springs State Park is home to the fourth largest spring in Florida, with a flow of over 1.7 trillion liters of water per day. It is possible to take a refreshing dip in a natural pool formed by springs, in an area of the park called headsprings. The water there is crystal clear green, and the temperature is around 22°C all year round, making it perfect for a summer trip.
Anyone who wants to explore the park further can do so from the water: the place has kayak and stand up paddle rental services.
Florida Caverns State Park
Want something different from the other parks on this list? Florida Caverns has a set of dry caves, in which stalactites and stalagmites colored with artificial LED lights are the stars. In addition to giving the caves a different atmosphere, the lights allow you to move around safely without threatening ecosystems sensitive to light. They are home to animals such as bats, spiders, snakes, rats, salamanders and frogs, but you will rarely come across them. Maybe the occasional bat. Take some good walking shoes as the path can be wet and slippery.
Silver Springs State Park
You may have already noticed that Florida’s Natural Parks are full of springs with crystal-clear blue waters, and Silver Springs is another one of them! And the colors here really impress!
Silver Springs is considered Florida’s first tourist attraction, welcoming travelers since 1870. And, even today, it remains one of the most popular springs in the country. One of the most popular tours is to travel around it in glass-bottomed boats, so that you don’t miss any detail of the underwater beauty. There are also camping options and other water sports, such as stand up paddleboarding.
And you? Have you visited any natural park in Florida and loved it? Tell us which one is your favorite in the comments
