A Florida National Parks road trip is just what you need this year! From Everglades National Park to Key West (or Key West to Everglades), you’ll experience 3 amazing parks on this epic Florida National Parks trip.
Did you know there are three National Parks in Florida? Most of you might be familiar with the Everglades, a 1.5 million-acre subtropical wilderness teeming with diverse wildlife, but have you heard of Biscayne or Dry Tortugas National Parks? If not, don’t worry!
In this guide, I will tell you all about these beautiful Florida National Parks, why you should pay them a visit, and how to plan your trip to see all three. I’ll share sample itineraries, the best things to do in each park, where to stay, and more!
How to Plan a Florida National Parks Road Trip
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Florida National Parks Road Trip Overview
This Florida National Parks road trip from Miami to Key West is a fun one. You’ll begin your journey in mainland Florida, take the famous seven-mile bridge to the Keys, and cruise over 42 bridges and down the entire Key system on the 113-mile Florida Overseas Highway until you reach the crown jewel and the southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West.
On your epic road trip to each of the National Parks in Florida, you’ll start in a thriving metropolis teeming with culture and nightlife, arrive in the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, dive underwater into the third largest coral reef system in the world, pass over 800 islands, and venture 70 miles from the southernmost point in the continental United States to one of the most remote National Parks in the NPS system.
It’s a road trip you don’t want to miss!
Best Time to Visit the Florida National Parks
You can visit the Florida National Parks year-round. Biscayne and Everglades National Parks are always open, and while Dry Tortugas is open year-round as well, the ferries and seaplanes operate on a weather-permitting basis.
Here are some things to note about weather patterns, temperatures, crowds, and rates in the Florida National Parks:
- The Atlantic hurricane season is from June through November. Because of this, it can be challenging to predict the weather during the summer and early fall. Rates for campgrounds and hotels are lower during these months, and the National Parks are usually less crowded, but temperatures and humidity are higher.
- The “high season,” December through April, is considered the best time to visit the Florida parks because the temperatures are mild and hurricanes are a nonissue. That being said, National Parks can get overcrowded, and campground and hotel rates have the tendency to skyrocket.
Average Temperatures in the Florida National Parks (By Month):
- January. 74/63
- February. 75/64
- March. 77/67
- April. 80/70
- May. 83/74
- June. 86/77
- July. 87/78
- August. 88/79
- September. 86/78
- October. 83/75
- November. 79/70
- December. 76/65
PRO TIP: Winter is the best time to view wildlife in the parks!
Where to Start Your Trip
✈️ If you’re flying, land in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. These are the two closest airports to the Florida National Parks.
- Ft. Lauderdale airport tends to be cheaper as it is home to budget airlines, and the overall atmosphere in the airport is more laid-back, smaller, and less crowded than in Miami. But starting in Ft. Lauderdale does require an additional 30 miles of driving. If you’re okay with the extra driving, fly into Ft. Lauderdale.
- Miami is more expensive and crowded, but boasts a nice lounge and might offer a larger array of direct flights from international destinations and from more points in the United States. You’ll also be closer to the Florida National Parks.
🚗 If you’re driving, you’ll most likely be coming from I-75, which deadends just outside of the Everglades. This makes for a perfect starting point for your Florida National Parks journey!
You have two options for starting and ending your Florida National Parks road trip journey:
- You can begin your journey by driving all the way down to Key West and working your way up to Everglades and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
- You can begin your journey in the Everglades and venture down to the Keys. Drive back to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale when you’re done.
Florida National Parks Road Trip Itineraries
I’ve compiled THREE sample Florida National Parks itineraries based on these factors:
- Time
- Pace
- Bonus location add-ons
5-Day Quick National Parks Only Road Trip
If you have 5 days, your goal is to see all three National Parks as quickly as possible, and you don’t want to add any cities or other places to your agenda, this Florida National Parks itinerary is for you:
- DAY ONE: Fly into Ft. Lauderdale or Miami OR drive to Everglades.
- DAY TWO: Explore Everglades National Park.
- DAY THREE: Explore Biscayne National Park.
- DAY FOUR: Explore Dry Tortugas National Park.
- DAY FIVE: Drive back to the mainland.
7-Day Slow National Parks and Florida Keys Road Trip
If you have 7 days, your goal is to see all three National Parks at a slower pace to make sure you see as much as possible, and you want to add on the Florida Keys, this Florida National Parks itinerary is for you:
- DAY ONE: Fly into Ft. Lauderdale or Miami OR drive to Everglades.
- DAY TWO: Explore Everglades National Park (Shark Valley area).
- DAY THREE: Explore Everglades National Park (Ernest Coe and Flamingo areas).
- DAY FOUR: Explore Biscayne National Park.
- DAY FIVE: Explore the Florida Keys & its state parks.
- DAY SIX: Explore Dry Tortugas National Park.
- DAY SEVEN: Drive back to the mainland.
9-Day Slow National Parks, Keys, and City Road Trip
If you have 9 days, your goal is to see all three National Parks at a slower pace to make sure you see as much as possible, AND you want time to explore the northern and southern terminus cities along with the Florida Keys, this jam-packed itinerary is for you:
- DAY ONE: Fly into Ft. Lauderdale or Miami OR drive to Miami.
- DAY TWO: Explore Miami.
- DAY THREE: Explore Everglades National Park (Shark Valley area).
- DAY FOUR: Explore Everglades National Park (Ernest Coe and Flamingo areas).
- DAY FIVE: Explore Biscayne National Park.
- DAY SIX: Explore the Florida Keys & its state parks.
- DAY SEVEN: Explore Dry Tortugas National Park.
- DAY EIGHT: Explore Key West.
- DAY NINE: Drive back to the mainland.
NOTE: Any of these three itineraries can be flip-flopped if you prefer to start your journey in Key West and work your way north to the Everglades/Miami.
Stop #1: Everglades National Park
The first stop on your Florida National Parks road trip will be the Everglades! (Or, if you choose to flip the itinerary, it will be your last stop). Either way, I’m going to share with you how to make the most of your time in the park, whether you’re visiting for one day, two days, or an entire week.
Everglades Fun Facts:
- Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles can coexist.
- Everglades contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.
- Everglades is home to thirteen endangered and ten threatened species.
- Everglades is home to the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America.
- Everglades is home to one of the largest wetlands in the world.
What to Do in Everglades National Park
🚲 Bike, Hike, or Ride the Shark Valley Tram Road
Biking the Shark Valley Tram Road was one of my favorite things to do in the park. You can bike or hike the whole 15-mile loop, or just conquer a section of it. Either way, you’ll get to see tons of wildlife like gators, turtles, and birds.
If you are interested in traveling the loop without the effort of hiking or biking, two-hour guided tram tours are available. You’ll ride in a tram along the entire loop while you receive commentary from a knowledgeable ranger and see all of the wildlife milling around the area.
🚤 Take an Airboat Ride Through the Everglades
This was my favorite experience in the park. If you only have time for one activity in Everglades National Park, take an airboat ride!
An airboat is basically a flat-bottomed watercraft propelled by a large propeller and powered by either a jet engine or an automotive motor. It practically glides across the surface of the water with the help of its propeller. By skimming the top of the water, airboats don’t disturb vegetation or wildlife, making them one of the best ways to see the swamps.
An airboat ride through the Everglades isn’t thrilling or scary by any means, but it’s still so much fun. The driver will zip through the marshes, twist and turn through the vegetation, and stop at any alligator sighting. (Spoiler: There will be MANY!)
Since there are many airboat outfitters throughout the park, it can seem overwhelming to pick one. You’ll cruise by dozens on Route 41 alone.
To make your decision easier, there are only three authorized airboat businesses that offer professional tours inside Everglades National Park. You can’t go wrong with any choice you make.
- Coopertown Airboats
- Everglades Safari Park. This is the tour company that we used!
- Gator Park
🥾 Hike the Trails
There are many hiking trails in the Everglades, so which trail(s) you hike will probably depend on how long you’ll be in the park and which area(s) you’ll be spending your time.
If you only have one day in the park, I’d spend it near the Shark Valley Area. Hike the Bobcat Boardwalk Trail and Shark Valley Tram Trail. You’ll spot tons of wildlife along the trails!
If you have more than just a day to explore the park, I’d suggest prioritizing your time at Shark Valley (with the trails mentioned above) and adding Gumbo Limbo and Anhinga Trails to your itinerary. These two trails are located side-by-side at the Royal Palm Visitor Center.
Where to Stay in Everglades National Park
CAMPGROUNDS
- Flamingo Campground. Located near the Homestead entrance at the southernmost section of the park, this campground has 274 RV and tent sites, solar-heated showers, two dump stations, picnic tables, grills, an amphitheater for seasonal Ranger programs, several hiking trails and canoe trails, and opportunities for saltwater fishing. Reserve your site here.
- Long Pine Key Campground. Open seasonally November-May, this campground has 108 tent and RV sites, a dump station, flush toilets, showers, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reserve your site here.
HOTELS
- Garden Inn Homestead – budget
- TownePlace Suites by Marriot Miami Homestead – mid-range
- Home2Suites by Hilton – luxury
Suggested Everglades Itineraries
One-Day Everglades Itinerary
1️⃣ DAY ONE
- Start at the Shark Valley visitor center. Start at the Shark Valley visitor center to stamp your passport, use the restroom, gather some intel from a ranger, and walk, bike, or take a tour along the Shark Valley Tram Road. If you didn’t bring your own bike, you can rent some through the concessionaire at the visitor center complex. If you don’t want to walk or bike the road, you can choose to take a guided tram tour.
- Take an airboat ride. While you’re in the Shark Valley area, take an airboat ride at one of the many outfitters along Highway 41. We went with Everglades Safari Park, and it didn’t disappoint. Each ticket comes with a 40-minute airboat ride, a nature walk through the swamps, and an alligator show.
- Drive to the Ernest Coe section. When you’re done at Shark Valley, drive to the Ernest Coe section and hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails.
- Go camping. Spend the night in Long Pine Key Campground, which is just a few miles from the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails.
Two-Day Everglades Itinerary
1️⃣ DAY ONE
- Start at the Shark Valley visitor center. Start at the Shark Valley visitor center to stamp your passport, use the restroom, gather some intel from a ranger, and walk, bike, or take a tour along the Shark Valley Tram Road. If you didn’t bring your own bike, you can rent some through the concessionaire at the visitor center complex. If you don’t want to walk or bike the road, you can choose to take a guided tram tour.
- Take an airboat ride. While you’re in the Shark Valley area, take an airboat ride at one of the many outfitters along Highway 41. We went with Everglades Safari Park, and it didn’t disappoint. Each ticket comes with a 40-minute airboat ride, a nature walk through the swamps, and an alligator show.
- Drive to the Ernest Coe section. When you’re done at Shark Valley, drive to the Ernest Coe section and hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails.
- Go camping. Spend the night in Long Pine Key Campground, which is just a few miles from the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails.
2️⃣ DAY TWO
- Venture into the Flamingo section. Rent a kayak or canoe if you’re willing to brave the swamps. Or take a relaxing boat tour and let the guides do all the work, pointing out the wildlife along the way.
- Go camping. Stay the night at the Flamingo Campground.
Read my Everglades National Park guide, where I dive deep into the best things to do in the park, top hikes, where to stay, when to go, and more!
Stop #2: Biscayne National Park
The next stop on your Florida National Parks journey will be Biscayne! This park is mostly water with very little land, so if you want the full National Park experience, you’ll need to venture into the Atlantic Ocean.
Biscayne Fun Facts
- 95% of the park’s nearly 173,000 acres are underwater. Other than the Convoy Point area near the visitor center, a boat is needed to access the park.
- The Florida Keys actually begin in Biscayne with the first true key being Elliot Key.
- Biscayne Bay was originally intended to be part of Everglades National Park.
- Biscayne is home to the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the entire world.
- A species of once-endangered crocodiles are no longer endangered, thanks to the National Park’s efforts to restore the population along Pines Canal.
What to Do in Biscayne
🤿 Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
Snorkeling and scuba diving are definitely the best ways to detect underwater marine life. If you only have time to do one thing in the park, go snorkeling! Whether you hover at the surface with a snorkel peeking at the colorful coral reefs or venture into the ocean’s depths scouring two-century-old shipwrecks, you will get a front-row seat to the magical underwater world that is the enigmatic Atlantic Ocean.
Book your underwater adventure with Biscayne National Park Institute. They are the only authorized outfitter for the National Park. We booked the 4-hour snorkeling tour with them, and while every tour is customized to the tour group’s personal interests and current weather conditions, they took us snorkeling over coral reefs and above shipwrecks, jetted us to Boca Chita Key where we got to explore the island, and pointed out manatees, dolphins, and turtles on our journey back to the harbor.
🏝️ Explore the Atlantic Islands
Take a trip to one of the many islands sprinkled across the park! Island hopping in the Atlantic is thrilling because you not only get to explore remote keys that few get to see but you get a chance to walk on the mere 5% of the park that is on land.
The two most popular islands to visit are Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key. Saunter through the nature trails on each island, have a picnic, drop a fishing pole in the water, snorkel the shallow areas around the mangroves to spy juvenile sea life, coral, and sponges, and climb the infamous lighthouse on Boca Chita.
To get to these islands, you will need to charter a boat, book a tour, or launch your personal watercraft near the visitor center.
🛶 Paddle Through the Lagoons
Paddling is another great way to gain a front-row seat to some of the marine life action. While you won’t be going underwater, you can paddle through shallow mangrove tunnels and lagoons. Marine life like birds, manatees, sea turtles, and fish, both below and above the water, on the surface and on the trees, will probably want to show off while you paddle.
If you don’t have your own paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, book a tour with Biscayne National Park Institute.
If you do bring your own paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, there is a public launch right at the visitor center that allows you to launch your paddle craft from 7:00 am – 5:30 pm every single day of the year. From here you can paddle to some of the little islands near the shore and bring your own snorkel gear to dive below the surface at your leisure.
Where to Stay in Biscayne National Park
CAMPING
The park’s two campgrounds are located on islands and are only reachable by boat.
To camp on Elliot Key, you must bring your own boat or get dropped off. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis. There are restrooms with sinks and cold showers, picnic tables, and grills. Fresh drinking water is sometimes available.
To camp on Boca Chita Key, you must bring your own boat or get dropped off. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis. There are toilets, waterfront views, picnic tables, grills, and a grassy camping area.
Long Pine Key Campground is not located inside the park, but if you don’t want to camp on one of the islands and you want to still be close to the park, this is a great option.
HOTELS
- Garden Inn Homestead – budget
- TownePlace Suites by Marriot Miami Homestead – mid-range
- Holiday Inn Express – luxury
Suggested Biscayne Itinerary
One-Day Biscayne Itinerary
1️⃣ DAY ONE
- Start at Convoy Point. Here you’ll find a visitor center, restrooms, a boardwalk trail, and the docks for the outfitters. Don’t forget to stamp your passport!
- Book a snorkeling or paddling tour or launch your own watercraft. Book a tour with Biscayne National Park Institute to go snorkeling, boating, or paddling. No matter which experience(s) you choose, you’ll get the opportunity to explore remote islands, lagoons, and/or mangroves and spot exotic wildlife. Or launch your own watercraft and scope out the seascapes at your leisure!
- Stroll the Jetty Trail. To top off your day on the water at Biscayne, walk the 0.4-mile trail at the visitor center. The trail – part boardwalk and part gravel – meanders around a mangrove-lined shore. Here you can walk, fish, and sightsee, and you are guaranteed to see some marine life in the clear waters below!
Read my Biscayne National Park guide, where I dive deep into the best things to do in the park, top hikes, where to stay, when to go, and more!
Stop #3: Dry Tortugas National Park
The final National Park on your road trip (or the first, if you flip-flop it!) will be the remote island of Dry Tortugas. With this park, you have the option of taking a day trip via ferry or seaplane or roughing it for a night (or three) by camping on the island. Either way you spin it, you’ll need to venture out onto the Gulf of Mexico for an exciting journey to an island that less than 80,000 people visit per year.
Dry Tortugas Fun Facts
- “Tortugas” is Spanish for turtles.
- The 1513 discoverer of the island, Ponce de Leon, called the island “Las Tortugas” because of the abundance of sea turtles that he caught while visiting. It was later changed to Dry Tortugas because of the lack of fresh water available on the islands.
- The Navy built a military fortress on the island to protect the Florida coastline. The 16-million-brick fortress, Fort Jefferson, is the third largest fort that defends a coast ever built in the U.S. It’s also the largest masonry structure in the country.
- Bush Key, an island on Dry Tortugas, is sometimes only accessible via kayak or canoe; other times, it can be visited by foot from Garden Key. This is due to the dynamic landscape and shifting sands.
- During the breeding season, the island of Bush Key is home to birds that can’t be found anywhere else in the continental United States.
What to Do in Dry Tortugas
🏝️ Explore Bush Key
If you’re visiting Dry Tortugas from October through January, you must explore the 20-acre island of Bush Key. Visitors who arrive from February through September won’t get the pleasure of walking on this island since the NPS closes it down for the breeding season.
Take the time to walk the mile loop around the island. You will see coastal dunes, sand beaches, washed-up coral, an array of marine life, and even many rare birds that aren’t found anywhere else in the continental United States. Have a picnic. Read a book. Go for a swim. Be one of the very few visitors who get to walk on the key!
🏰 Wander Around Fort Jefferson
Take the time to wander around Fort Jefferson, the fortress that overtakes Garden Key. Walk as far into the fortress and as high or low as you’d like. It’s worth exploring all three levels and walking the moat surrounding the fort. Since the water is crystal-clear around the moat, you could even spot coral reefs, fish, and sea turtles.
You have the option of taking either a self-guided or ranger-led tour around the fort. The ranger-led tour lasts about 45 minutes and is narrated. If you choose to take a self-guided tour, the ferry will provide you with a PDF file chocked full of historical information that you can reference as you wander through the walls of the fortress.
PRO TIP: If you take the self-guided tour, you will get away from the ferry crowds and be able to explore the fortress in solitude and at your own pace.
🤿 Snorkel at Garden Key
Dry Tortugas has some of the best snorkeling in all of Florida. In Garden Key, you can snorkel in three areas:
- North Coaling Dock Ruins. Located off North Swim Beach with pilings and a variety of fish.
- South Coaling Dock Ruins. Requires a swim from South Swim Beach to the pilings. Great for coral viewing.
- Moat Wall near South Swim Beach. Great for beginners. Calm and shallow waters. Many tropical fish and historical artifacts.
The ferry provides each passenger with free use of snorkel equipment during the duration of the island visit: snorkels, fins, and masks. You could potentially see a variety of marine life from coral and octopus to jellyfish and barracuda.
Where to Stay in Dry Tortugas National Park
CAMPING
Camping is allowed on Garden Key. There are only ten campsites and they can book up more than a year in advance.
For more information on camping, visit the NPS website.
Book your campsite here.
HOTELS
- Havana Cabana Key West – budget
- Blue Marlin Motel – mid-range
- Parrot Key Hotel & Villas – luxury
Suggested Dry Tortugas Itinerary
One-Day Dry Tortugas Itinerary
1️⃣ DAY ONE
- Board a seaplane or a ferry. Reference my complete Dry Tortugas guide to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Once you reach the island, stop by the visitor center to stamp your passport and snag a map.
- Explore the islands. Take a ranger-led or self-guided tour of Fort Jefferson, meander around the moat that circles the fort, and explore Bush Key if it’s open.
- Snorkel and swim. Snorkel, swim, and splash in the water. Whether you swim out to the deeper water or stick close to the shore, dunk your head underwater and glimpse the otherworldly seascape that is visible beneath the glassy blue surface.
- Go camping. If you’re hoping to be one of the few lucky campers that get to camp on the island, you’ll need to make your reservations at least one year in advance. If you plan early, you might get the pleasure of hauling your gear 70 miles across the ocean, pitching a tent under the stars, and calling the tiny remote island in the middle of the Gulf home for up to three nights.
Read my Dry Tortugas National Park guide, where I dive deep into the transportation systems, best things to do in the park, top hikes, where to stay, when to go, and more!
Summary
No matter what time of year you visit the Florida National Parks, how long you stay, or what you do, enjoy your time island hopping, snorkeling, paddling, sunbathing, and swimming in some of the most beautifully remote and diverse landscapes and seascapes in the country!
