NEWS

Get free entry to any of more than 400 national parks in Florida, US. Here's what to know

Cheryl McCloud
USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Does spring have you itching to get outside?

The National Park Service has a solution: Celebrate National Park Week as it kicks off with free entry to all national parks in the United States.

And that's not just national parks, but also all 429 sites under the National Park System, which includes everything from battlefields to seashores.

The National Park Service lists 11 parks in Florida. Here's useful information about the celebration and a guide to Florida sites.

What is National Park Week?

National Park Week is a "celebration of everything parks," according to the National Park Service.

There are more than 400 national parks across the U.S., including several in Florida.

The week not only encourages people to visit a park — or parks! — but urges everyone to "discover what the National Park Service does through its programs and partnerships to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in places across the country — and even the world!"

Enjoy free entry into all national parks on April 20

Entrance fees will be waived on April 20, 2024, to kick off the nine-day celebration and "to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person."

Themes for each day of National Park Week:

  • Saturday, April 20: Discovery. What will you discover? A new place, a new interesting fact, a new activity. To kick off National Park Week and encourage you make that new discovery, entrance fees are waived on April 20.
  • Sunday, April 21: Volunteers. Use your time and talents as a volunteer in your national parks. Find opportunities to volunteer for a single event or long-term position.
  • Monday, April 22: Earth Day. Join the global celebration encouraging education and stewardship of the planet's natural resources. Many parks are hosting volunteer events. You can also find ways to practice conservation at home.
  • Tuesday, April 23: Innovation. History of our nation's innovation is preserved in national parks. Also learn about the innovative projects happening in parks or through programs today.
  • Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday. Meet park employees, interns, fellows, volunteers, contractors and partners.  Consider joining the team.
  • Thursday, April 25: Youth Engagement. Calling the rising generation of stewards. Learn about the opportunities for youth and young adults to get involved and see what they do.
  • Friday, April 26: Community Connections. Learn about the important work being done in communities across the country both within and outside of park boundaries.
  • Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day. For kids (and kids at heart), become a Junior Ranger through in-person or online activities to learn about special places or topics.
  • Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks. Home of many arts past and present, find your muse creating arts within parks. Also learn about preserving and practicing arts at home.

What 11 national parks are in Florida?

The National Park Service lists 11 national parks in Florida. Here they are, along with a description or history from the park service:

Big Cypress National Preserve

The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther.

  • Location: Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center, 33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee 34141. Map
  • Website
  • Phone: 239 695-2000
  • Hours: Big Cypress National Preserve is open for public use 24 hours a day year round.
  • Size: 729,000 acres.

Biscayne National Park

Within sight of Miami, Biscayne protects a combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is present, from prehistoric tribes to shipwrecks and pineapple farmers to presidents. For many, the park is a boating, fishing, and diving destination, while others enjoy the peaceful scenery.

  • Location: 9700 S.W. 328th St., Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead 33033. Map.
  • Website
  • Phone: 305-230-1144
  • Hours: Park waters are open 24 hours a day, all year.
  • Size: 172,971 acres

Canaveral National Seashore.

Reflect on the barrier island, which is composed of dune, hammock, and lagoon habitat. Explore ancient Timucua shell mounds. The sanctuary is home to thousands of species of plants and animals.

  • Location: Apollo Visitor Center,7611 S Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 32169 Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 386 428-3384 
  • Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Size: 58,000 acres

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and interprets more than 450 years of cultural intersections.

  • Location: 11 South Castillo Drive, Saint Augustine, 32084. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 904-829-6506
  • Hours: Open to the public seven days per week except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. First admission is at 9 a.m. and last admission is at 5 p.m. Visitors must exit at 5:15 p.m. The park grounds are closed from midnight until 5:30 a.m.

De Soto National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States.

  • Location: 8300 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, 34209. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 941-792-0458
  • Hours: DeSoto National Memorial's trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The park's visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. It's closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
  • Size: 27 acres.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known as the home of Fort Jefferson, blue waters, coral reefs and marine life, and a vast assortment of bird life.

  • Location: 40001 SR-9336 Homestead, 33034. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 305-242-7700
  • Hours: The Dry Tortugas is open 24 hours, seven days a week, including holidays.
  • Size: 100 square miles

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. It's a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty.

  • Location: The park stretches across southern Florida. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 305-242-7700
  • Hours: There are four visitor centers to help you get started. Keep in mind there are two seasons: Wet from May through November, and dry from December through April.
  • Size: 1.5 million acres

Fort Caroline National Memorial

Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. It's part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

  • Location: 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, 32225. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 904-641-7155
  • Hours: The grounds for Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They're closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
  • Size: 46,000 acres

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species.

  • Location: 8635 A1A South St. Augustine, 32080. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 904-471-0116
  • Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. There is no ferry service to Fort Matanzas on Tuesdays.
  • Size: The fort itself was built on less than 2 acres.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of Mexico for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes

  • Location: The islands are located in the Gulf of Mexico south of Florida's Panhandle and Mississippi. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 850-934-2600
  • Hours: Operating hours vary depending on location and season.
  • Size: America's largest national seashore is composed of 13 unique areas spanning two states and over 160 miles from east to west.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

The Timucuan Preserve includes Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation. The Timucuan Preserve can be reached by boat, bike, car, RV or foot. 

  • Location: 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, 32225. Map.
  • Website:
  • Phone: 904-641-7155
  • Hours: The National Park sites within the preserve are open Wednesday-Sunday, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The preserve headquarters is open 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Size: 46,000 acres.