A Breath of Fresh Air

Did you know that Florida has 200 diverse state parks, preserves, campgrounds, trailheads and recreation areas? Beyond its remarkable beaches, travelers from all over the globe are compelled by Florida’s natural offerings -- from springs to forests and over 15,000 miles of hiking, biking, equestrian and paddling trails to be explored.

In honor of Park and Recreation Month, we’ve rounded up the most unique experiences travelers can find in Florida’s parks -- including the newest offerings from this summer. 

Quick Florida Parks Facts: 

• Florida has three National Parks: 

  • Biscayne National Park (Miami) - one of the most underwater national parks in the U.S. with more than 95 percent of the park under water

  • Dry Tortugas National Park (Key West) - one of the most remote national parks in the U.S., only accessible by ferry, seaplane or personal watercraft

  • Everglades National Park - the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.

• The state is also home to 175+ state parks, where hiking, wilderness and equestrian trails are spread across 800,000 acres

• Here is a list of Florida’s state park superlatives - including best beaches, best paddling, best snorkeling, and beyond

Unique FL Parks Experiences:

• NEW for 2024! Go Birding 

  • The 63.5-acre Crane Point Museum & Nature Trails in Marathon features the NEW Marathon Wild Bird Center, a bird sanctuary perfect for wildlife lovers to view hundreds of species of birds

• Go Bioluminescent Kayaking (peak season July -September)

  • Tampa, Space Coast, and Naples and more all offer bioluminescent kayaking and paddling excursions among fluorescent, blue-green glowing waters from marine organisms

• Swim with Manatees (peak season starting November)

  • Swim alongside these gentle giants in crystal water at the Manatee capital of the world  in Crystal River and Homosassa, the only places in the U.S. where you can legally swim with manatees. While these sea creatures inhabit the waterways year-round, manatee populations increase drastically November - April 

• Scuba Dive or Snorkel at Florida’s Coral Reef

  • Scuba dive, snorkel, or go on a glass bottom boat tour in the only underwater state park located in Key Largo, home to Florida’s Coral Reef -  the third largest barrier reef in the world and the only barrier coral reef in the continental United States

• Airboat Tour through the Everglades 

  • Experience the 1.5 million acres of Everglades National Park’s wetlands and wildlife through an airboat tour

• Go Beach Horseback Riding (or Horse Surfing) 

  • Choose a ride along the stunning beaches of Amelia Island State Park, a romantic ride in Cape San Blas, a wildlife-filled guided tour in the wetlands of Fort Pierce, or for those seeking an extra thrill: try horse-surfing in Bradenton, where you can stand up on your horse’s back in the water

• Surf Some Waves

  • Rip some waves at the East Coast epicenter for surfing at Sebastian Inlet State Park

• Explore underground Caves

  • Hike 55-feet underground in the Marianna Caverns beneath the floor of the Florida Caverns State Park forest, into stunning caves that stretch deep beneath a slice of northwest Florida

(Explore more at visitflorida.com/outdoors)

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