Florida National Parks Itinerary: The Ultimate 7-Day Road Trip
Planning a Florida national parks itinerary? You’re in for something genuinely unlike any other national park trip in the country.
Florida’s three national parks: Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas — are mostly water, mostly boat-accessible, and completely different from each other.
In 7 days, you can experience all three: drive the legendary Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys, snorkel in crystal-clear Atlantic waters, and stand inside the largest masonry fort in the Western Hemisphere on a remote island in the Gulf of Mexico.
We did this Florida national parks road trip in late March, and it remains one of our most memorable trips. No tents required. Just a rental car, a Dry Tortugas ferry ticket, and a good pair of sunglasses. Here’s exactly how to plan it.
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🌴Looking for a high-rise or beachfront accommodation? Check out your options at the best hotels in Miami!
Best Time to Visit Florida National Parks
The best time to visit Florida National Parks is in the spring. During the months of March, April, and May, the weather is perfect! Especially if you are coming from a cold and snowy destination.
Summer brings heat and extreme humidity with a chance for daily thunderstorms. Keep in mind that hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30th. That being said, there isn’t a bad month to travel to Florida.
Additionally, another good time to visit Florida and the Florida National Parks is during Christmas! For us midwesterners, it’s so bizarre to spend time somewhere warm with palm trees during Christmas when we are used to snow and clouds. It’s so much fun to see palm trees all decked out for the holiday season.
That being said, we traveled here in late March. The weather was absolutely amazing. Sunny and 70F-80F all week – perfect weather for a spring break trip. Snorkeling in Key Biscayne was pleasant, and the water was not too cold!
Florida National Parks Road Trip Itinerary At A Glance
| Day 1 – Travel & Explore Bill Baggs | Travel Day Rest in Homestead, FL |
| Day 2 – Everglades National Park | Rest in Homestead, FL |
| Day 3 – Biscayne National Park | Rest in Homestead, FL |
| Day 4 – Florida Keys & Key West | Rest in Key West, FL |
| Day 5 – Dry Tortugas National Park | Rest in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, FL |
| Day 6 – Beach Day or Other Activities | Rest in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, FL |
| Day 7 – Travel Day | Rest at your home Travel Day |
| Closest Airports | Miami International Airport Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |
The map above displays a sequential itinerary with numbered stops, highlighting our suggested route through the Florida National Parks. To make planning easier, each day or national park is color-coded, giving you a clear visual guide to your journey.
This Florida national parks road trip follows one of America’s most scenic drives on US-1 through the Florida Keys, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It’s such great scenery!
How Much Does A Trip Like This Cost?
Sometimes, getting a ballpark cost of a trip is somewhat hard. Let’s talk about it here. This cost breakdown is based on our trip here in 2022, so costs have probably increased a bit. Just like everything else, right? This section includes most of the major costs except for food and gas.
| Category | Budget Range (2 people) | Notes |
| Flights | $1,000 | Varies widely by departure city; book early |
| Rental Car | $500 | Book pay-later so you can reprice; see our rental car guide |
| Hotels/Accommodations | $1,200 | Each of our accommodations was between $150-$312 a night. 6 nights total. |
| America The Beautiful Pass | $80.00 | Covers both the Everglades and Dry Tortugas. Get it here! |
| Activities & Tours | $418.00 – Biscayne $500.00 – Dry Tortugas ($470.00 w/park pass) | Budget for tours at Biscayne & Yankee Freedom Ferry |
| Estimated Total | $3,670 |
Flight costs and rental car prices can be variable. Check prices often. This is also a peak travel season in Florida, so expect lodging to be more pricey, especially in Key West.
Planning Your Florida National Parks Road Trip
Things to Know
- Visit our Gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of some parks.
- Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park both have entrance fees. Biscayne National Park is FREE, but will likely require payment for tour operators, boat rentals, and other excursions.
- Biscayne National Park: You will need to reserve an excursion to see most of this park, unless you have a boat.
- Dry Tortugas National Park: You will need to reserve a spot on the Yankee Freedom or take a seaplane to visit this national park.
- Bring your own snorkel gear to save time and money.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen! If you are swimming in the ocean, make sure it’s reef-safe!
- Bring bug spray and be prepared for mosquitoes.
- Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the principles of Leave No Trace while enjoying our open spaces.
Rental Car
Expert tip: We usually book our rental car super early as a pay later option. If you do this, you can continuously check the prices before your trip. If the price is lower than when you booked, cancel for free and rebook for the lower price! Most major rental car companies have free cancellation on pay later bookings, but always check the fine print.
Make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this!
🚗 If you are looking for a rental car, check out Booking.com. Compare prices and ratings to find the best car for your trip.
Day 1 – Travel Day, Bill Baggs & Key Biscayne
First, Day 1 of your Florida National Parks itinerary is a travel day to get you to the sunny state of Florida. This may look different for you depending on where you are located, but we always try to include travel days in our itineraries so you know exactly what you’ll need to plan for.
📌 Depending on when you arrive and what airport you fly into, there are many options for activities in and around the South Florida area if you have some extra time. Check out Viator for some fun options!
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Depending on which airport you choose, both Miami International and Fort Lauderdale are close to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This is a great place to get your Florida vacation started off right.
Bill Baggs is a very busy park on weekends and holidays, so parking might be an issue. However, the entrance fee for this park is $8.00/vehicle in 2025. Here you can hike, bike, fish, and swim. The beaches along the Florida coast are scenic, and the lighthouse at Bill Baggs adds to the great ambiance.
➡️ For more information, visit Things to Do on Key Biscayne: How to Explore Bill Baggs State Park.
Day 2 – Everglades National Park: Airboat Tours & Hiking
Interestingly enough, there are not a plethora of trails to choose from in the Florida National Parks, unlike some national parks in the Western United States. However, at Everglades National Park, you will find a few!
Start your day in the Shark Valley area and take an airboat tour of the grassy Everglades. You’ll likely spot some gators from the boat! If boating isn’t your thing, head to the Shark Valley Tram. Then, spend your afternoon hitting the short trails! Some of the best trails include the following:
- Shark Valley:
- Kirby Storter Roadside Park
- Tram Trail (Shark Valley Tram)/Otter Cave Hammock Trail
- Flamingo:
- Anhinga Trail
- Pinelands Trail
- Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower
- Mahogany Hammock Trail
One other thing that you must do is pay a visit to the Robert Is Here Fruit Stand! Here you will find smoothies, milkshakes, and fruits you have never heard of but need to try. There is also an animal farm, play area, and picnic tables.
👉🏽 Check out our post, Hikes in Everglades National Park: How to Spend One Day, for more details on hiking in the Everglades.
Day 3 – Biscayne National Park: Sailing & Snorkeling
Your Florida National Parks itinerary will take you to the scenic and underwater Biscayne National Park. Biscayne National Park is mostly underwater and is best explored by boat. That being said, most people traveling to Florida likely don’t have a boat and might not want to rent one either! For a quick visit, head to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center for a short trail called the Jetty Walk.
Better yet, the Biscayne National Park Institute is your best bet for snorkel trips, paddling adventures, and other tours. Tours operate from multiple locations along the Florida coast. We recommend the 6-hour Sail, Paddle, and Snorkel tour that leaves from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
⛵ Learn more about our trip here! Cruise on a sailboat to one of the islands in Biscayne Bay. Then, have lunch, paddle in the bay, and snorkel to explore the undersea life. You might even see some sharks, turtles, and manatees.
Day 4 – Florida Keys and Key West
On Day 4, it’s time to head down to the Florida Keys on Highway 1. From Homestead, Key West is about a 3-hour drive with plenty of locations to stop along the way, including the Seven Mile Bridge. If you are up for more snorkeling, check out John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Then, keep heading south and explore and walk on parts of the old bridges. One of the most popular stops to make along the way is Bahia Honda State Park. Be aware that this park fills up VERY quickly, and you might not get to go unless you plan to get there very early.
Never fear! If Bahia Honda State Park is full, head to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Here you can explore the fort, hike along short trails, and relax on the beach. After that, check into your hotel and head out for a walk around Key West.
You can’t visit Key West without an iconic photo at the Southernmost Point, right? After that, enjoy a relaxing dinner and walk to Mallory Square for a picturesque sunset.
🌇 Check out our post on spending 1 Day driving US-1 and visiting Key West for more details on what to do and where to stay.
Day 5 – Dry Tortugas National Park: Fort Jefferson & Snorkeling
Day 5 of your Florida National Parks itinerary includes a visit to the remote and gorgeous Dry Tortugas National Park. We hope you don’t get seasick! There are a few options to get to this park: The Yankee Freedom Ferry, a seaplane, or a private boat.
We opted for the Yankee Freedom! If you are wondering, we did not get seasick, but others did, so be sure to pack some Dramamine. Taking a seaplane will cost you more, but it is also much quicker if you want to maximize your time at this park.
Once you arrive at Fort Jefferson on the Yankee Freedom, you’ll have about 4.5 hours to explore the fort, snorkel, relax on the beach, and enjoy a nice lunch. Honestly, the time goes way too quickly. If you love camping, be sure to check out the option to do that as well.
Imagine yourself on a remote island in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico under a blanket of stars, surrounded by the calm sounds of the waves crashing. What an awesome experience. This might be the one time we would opt for camping when we return to this park!
🚢 Check out our full guide on Dry Tortugas National Park to learn more about our excursion on the Yankee Freedom and experience at Fort Jefferson!
Day 6 – Beach Day: Fort Lauderdale & Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Take some time to relax on one of the many great beaches in Florida. If that isn’t your thing, Miami and Fort Lauderdale have plenty of other options for excursions and attractions. During our time here, we opted to hang out on the beaches near Lauderdale By The Sea.
Additionally, pay a visit to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for some urban hiking. If your hotel has a pool, you know what to do! Relax and soak up that Florida sun before your amazing trip to Florida comes to an end.
If you love to test out some great food, book a Little Havana Food and Walking Tour below. This is top-rated!
Day 7 – Travel Day & Final Tips
Day 7 of your Florida National Parks itinerary is a free day/travel day. If you have time to spare before your flight, head out for a relaxing lunch or take a walk at a local park.
Little did we know, our travel day would turn into a total fiasco thanks to those South Florida pop-up thunderstorms! We were delayed in departing from Fort Lauderdale and landed at LaGuardia in New York as our connecting flight was taking off.
Then the fun really began! With no other available flights out and no rental cars, we thought we were going to be stranded. Thankfully, after standing in line with our airline’s help desk for what seemed like 17 hours, they got us on a flight home that night. We still aren’t sure how they did it, but we are forever grateful.
🧭 We love helping you plan, so why not check out some of our other fun itineraries?!
Where To Stay On Your Florida National Park Itinerary
Accommodations on this road trip span three very different home bases — from a practical hub near the parks to the most iconic island town in America. Book everything early, especially Key West and the Dry Tortugas ferry. Both fill up months in advance during the spring.
Nights 1–3 — Homestead, FL (Bill Baggs, Everglades & Biscayne). Homestead is the most practical base for the first three days because it puts you within 30 minutes of Everglades National Park and close to both Biscayne and Bill Baggs. It’s not a glamorous city by any stretch, but it has everything you need: grocery stores, gas stations, and a solid selection of hotels at reasonable prices. Search hotels in Homestead.
Night 4 — Key West, FL (Florida Keys drive + Key West). Staying in Key West is an experience in itself. The energy of Duval Street, the Southernmost Point photo at sunrise before the crowds arrive, and the kind of sunset at Mallory Square that makes you forget you have a flight home in three days. It’s pricier than Homestead but absolutely worth one night. We recommend the Best Western Hibiscus Motel – book this early!
Nights 5–6 — Fort Lauderdale or Miami, FL (Dry Tortugas + beach day). After the Dry Tortugas ferry returns you to Key West on Day 5, you’ll make the drive back north to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for your final two nights. We stayed near Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and loved it — walkable beach, laid-back vibe, and a perfect decompression after a week of adventuring. Fort Lauderdale also puts you closer to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport if that’s your departure point. Miami works equally well if you prefer more dining and nightlife options or are flying out of MIA. Search hotels in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
💡 Pro tip: This road trip is one of the few itineraries where flying into one airport and out of another actually makes geographic sense. Flying INTO Miami and OUT OF Fort Lauderdale (or vice versa) eliminates backtracking and saves you a 45-minute drive on your travel day. You could also even stay another night in Key West and fly out of there, saving the 3-4 hour drive through the Florida Keys. If you want to do this, check both airports when booking flights, as fares can vary significantly between each airport. It may also cost more to drop off your rental car at a different location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many national parks are in Florida?
Florida has three national parks: the Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas. This itinerary covers all three in 7 days, making it one of the few Florida travel guides that gives each park the time it actually deserves rather than treating them as quick checkboxes.
How do you get to Dry Tortugas National Park?
There are two options. The Yankee Freedom ferry from Key West (about 2 hours each way) or a seaplane, which is faster but significantly more expensive. We took the Yankee Freedom and had a fantastic experience, though a few fellow passengers did get seasick on the crossing. Pack Dramamine just in case. Most importantly, book your tickets as far in advance as possible. The Yankee Freedom sells out months ahead during peak season, and this is the one booking on the entire trip you absolutely cannot leave to chance.
Is Biscayne National Park worth visiting?
Yes, but you need to plan ahead. Most of Biscayne is underwater, which means you won’t see much from the shore. The Biscayne National Park Institute’s Sail, Paddle, and Snorkel tour is the best way to experience the park, and it’s genuinely spectacular. Book this tour in advance, just like the Yankee Freedom ferry.
What is the best time of year for a Florida National Parks road trip?
Late March through May is the sweet spot. The weather is warm and sunny without the oppressive summer humidity, hurricane season hasn’t started, and the crowds are manageable compared to spring break peak weeks. We went in late March and had nearly perfect conditions all week. Sunny and 70s-80s the entire trip. Plus, little to no bugs for us.
Is a Florida National Parks Road Trip Worth It?
For the trip to Dry Tortugas alone, yes! If you are from the Midwest, you know that winter can drag on, and on. Those endless days of gray sky and no sun. Traveling to Florida during the spring always puts us in a better mood. Sunny skies, warm weather, palm trees, beaches, and the ocean are just what we needed.
Our favorite national park here was definitely Dry Tortugas. The ferry adventure to get there, followed by the amazing structure, blue water, and the most amazing snorkeling, sealed the deal for us as the best national park in Florida.
This trip will look different for everyone, but we hope our Florida National Parks itinerary will give you a solid foundation to plan an amazing trip of your own.
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