Florida National Parks Map

About Florida National Parks Map

This Florida National Parks Map shows where the major national parks, national forests and other protected areas are in the state of Florida. The map includes Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Apalachicola National Forest and Ocala National Forest, as well as Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Major cities such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Tampa, Jacksonville and Tallahassee (the state capital) are also shown. Major rivers, lakes, bays, and islands and other features of the coast are identified. The state boundaries with Georgia and Alabama, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Ocean are shown. A compass, map legend and scale are also provided on the map.

National Parks in Florida

The above Florida maps shows the following national parks, forests and state parks with its exact location and names

National Parks

• Biscayne National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park

National Forests

• Apalachicola National Forest
• Ocala National Forest

Stat Park

• Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

National Parks in Florida

There are several national parks in Florida that encompass different environments, including wetlands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and coastal dunes. They are also important habitats for wildlife, have beautiful natural scenery, and are important for education and recreation. Each year, millions of visitors come to Florida's national parks to help conserve the environment and support the tourism industry. The largest and the most popular national parks in Florida are Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. Each park is significant in the protection of the botanical and natural resources of the state.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the biggest sub-tropical wilderness in the United States covering 1.5 million acres in southern Florida. It was established in 1947 and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. It is famous for its vast sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests and slow moving waters which support a variety of species. It is also home to endangered animals such as the Florida panther, West Indian manatee and American crocodile. The Everglades is also a crucial habitat for more than 360 species of birds, and is therefore one of the country's most important bird watching sites. The park can be explored by airboat tours, hiking trails, canoeing, and ranger-led programs that explain the delicate ecosystem. The focus of the conservation strategies include; restoring water flow, combating invasive species and protecting native wildlife from habitat destruction.

Dry Tortugas National Park

The remote Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West, consists of seven small islands within 100 square miles. The park was established in 1992, and the 19th century coastal fortress, Fort Jefferson, is its best known facility, it being a military prison during the Civil War. Because of its remote location and clear waters this is a protected area for marine biodiversity that includes coral reefs and fish. It is one of the best places in Florida for snorkeling and diving, with clear waters and rich marine life. The park is important for nesting of seabirds, sooty terns and brown noddies. Because the park is so remote, the only way in is by boat or seaplane, and thus it is one of the country’s least visited, yet most stunning, national parks. The conservation goals are focused on protecting coral reefs, tracking bird trends, and preserving Fort Jefferson's history.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is located in southeastern coast of Florida, just south of the city of Miami. The National Park is comprised of 173,000 acres including Biscayne Bay and offshore islands as well as mangrove forests and coral reefs. Biscayne National Park is a National Park since 1980. Water comprises 95% of the Park, and the Northern Section of the Florida Reef as well as extensive mangrove shoreline comprises the majority of the Park. This unique environment supports an array of marine fish, as well as avifauna, sea turtles, and other wildlife that inhabit the Park’s extensive mangrove habitats.

Biscayne National Park offers many ways to explore the park. You can go boating, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and on an eco-tour. There are many different places to visit within the park. These include Boca Chita Key, and the other islands in Biscayne Bay. The Maritime Heritage Trail runs through the park, and shows the remains of many ships. The park is working to protect the coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and marine wildlife and their habitats, while trying to address the many conservation challenges facing the park, including climate change, invasive species, marine debris, and other threats.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve in southern Florida has been established in 1974 to protect the flow of freshwater into the Everglades and spans more than 729,000 acres. Big Cypress has cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks and the Florida panther, black bears, alligators and many other kinds of wildlife. Big Cypress is a different kind of national park that permits hunting, fishing, and the use of off road vehicles while preserving the environment. Big Cypress provides excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, canoeing, bird watching and camping. Habitat loss, water pollution and invasive species are the main conservation challenges that still exist and more work is needed to achieve the balance between the use of the park by the public and the environment.

How Many National Parks Are in Florida?

National parks like Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park are the three sites are designated as National Parks but there are many other protected sites and historic areas within the National Park Service for the American people. National Park Service sites are managed within the National Park System which includes sites designated as National Preserves, National Seashores, and other sites. In Florida, there are National Park Service sites such as Big Cypress National Preserve, Canaveral National Seashore, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, and several National Monuments and Memorials.

Many people refer to the National Park Service sites collectively as “national parks” even though the term technically refers to only those National Park Sites that have been designated as National Parks by Congress. Thus, there are three National Parks in Florida, but the National Park System in the state comprises more than 20 protected sites, all of which are managed by the National Park Service.

Best Time to Visit National Parks in Florida

The dry season which includes the months of November, December, January, February, March, and April, is the best time to visit Florida’s national parks. The temperatures do not get too hot and the relative humidity does not get too high. There is not too much rain and there are fewer mosquitoes than during the wet season. This is the perfect time to go for long hikes, wildlife viewing, camping, kayaking, and visiting the Everglades.

During the wetter months of the year (May to October) the weather can be hot and humid with frequent and intense thunderstorms. There is also the possibility of hurricanes along the coast of Florida. So, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast before visiting a coastal or island park.

Wildlife in Florida’s National Parks

A variety of wildlife including American alligators, American crocodiles, West Indian manatees, sea turtles, and dolphins can be found in the habitats within the national parks in Florida. Other wildlife such as wading birds and shorebirds, as well as fish of many species, also can be found in the parks. There also are reports of endangered Florida panthers in South Florida, but these are extremely rare.

The many freshwater wetlands, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and coastal waters and islands found in the South Florida natural systems are among the most diverse and sensitive ecosystems found anywhere in the world. The interconnected natural systems found in South Florida, and in the Caribbean, provide critical protection of wildlife habitats, including areas for species’ breeding, feeding, and migration.

Things to Do in Florida’s National Parks

For example, in Everglades National Park there are many activities to choose from. In addition to hiking, paddling and wildlife viewing, there are also many campsites to choose from. Furthermore, with over 20 free programs given by rangers on a daily basis, there is always something to do. Activities in Biscayne National Park are mainly done by boat. There is snorkeling, diving and kayaking to name a few. In Dry Tortugas National Park activities include snorkeling and birdwatching, and a historic fort to explore, Fort Jefferson.

All of these diverse landscapes and ecosystems combined offer visitors to national parks in Florida an appreciation of the rest of the state beyond the typical beach or city destinations. From a mangrove lined waterway in a park to wildlife viewing in the Everglades, snorkeling above a coral reef in a park, or even a remote island with a 19th century fortress, there are many park experiences to choose from.