National parks in Florida go beyond the Everglades. From the gorgeous Gulf to a remote island, there are national parks you’ve probably never heard of. Here’s a guide to them, from the famous to the obscure.
Parks, Forests & Preserves
Informative articles about recreation in Florida parks, forests and preserves, national parks, wildlife refuges, including camping, fishing, paddling, hiking, bicycling and beaches.
Fanning & Manatee Springs: Hidden treasures for cabins, camping
Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs state parks on the Suwannee River offer beautiful springs, cabins, camping, kayaking & biking in Northwest Florida. Where is this Florida wonderland? Far off the beaten path.
Gold Head Branch State Park: Unsung treasure with cabins, camping
Gold Head Branch State Park has long been on my radar, a small dot on the map with a curious name in the middle of nowhere — yet close enough to Gainesville to be a camping option on game weekends. (We found dozens of campsite and cabin openings for every game this year.)
Camping with the Corps: Waterfront sites at locks along the Okeechobee Waterway
Campers get a front-row seat to the passage of yachts, sailboats and trawlers crossing Florida through locks at three Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
8 exceptional National Wildlife Refuges in Florida
National Wildlife Refuges are sometimes called “America’s best kept secret.” Florida has 29 refuges, the third most of any state. We think these eight are particularly worth discovering.
11 remarkable state parks in the Florida Keys
Here are 11 stops you can make on a Florida Keys trip if you’re looking to discover someplace new. We offer visitor info and insider tips.
Gamble Rogers State Park: Oceanfront campground celebrating song and sea
Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area is an oceanfront jewel with a beachfront campground, backcountry paddle trails and prime viewing for whales who spend the winter off-shore.
Free things to do in Florida: My 10 favorite freebies for nature lovers
Many of these free things to do in Florida are off-the-beaten path spots to enjoy nature, wildlife and history — from 300-year-old forts to superb boardwalks.
10 best Florida State Parks: Favorites among 175 great parks
No other state has won as many awards for the quality of its state parks, so choosing these wasn’t easy.
A backpacker’s dream: Dispersed camping in Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest covers more than 600 square miles of Central Florida, and all of it is open to dispersed, primitive camping.
10 free days in national parks in 2026
In 2026, there will be more free days in the national parks, including Memorial Day and Independence Day Weekend.