Florida’s national parks are state treasures. Generally, about 100 parks and reserves are scattered over Florida. They feature gardens, green areas, natural museums, and the whole areas of wildlife. The first local national park was established in late 1921, and the youngest one isn’t even 10 years old – most of them are easily accessible both by travelers and campers. If you like nature and beautiful views then pick up a car and go to the following parks in Florida. Of course, don’t forget to check this website, where you can find a comfortable car for your trip.
Busch Gardens Park
This park is located near Tampa and includes a lot of entertainment venues along with a zoo. This wild place was created by the beer company, and its main goal was to attract new customers. The company has already disappeared, but the idea itself has been very fruitful. In the local bars and cafes free tastings are still held, and here you can buy your favorite product.
The zoo tried to convey the atmosphere of the safari. More than 10 species of African animals live there, including ostriches, giraffes, and zebras. Some animals are allowed to feed from the hands, but only under the supervision of employees. A walk through the zoo at night is an exclusive offer. This is one of the most original ideas for a romantic date.
Children will be happy to travel with their favorite characters of Sesame Street. They can enjoy a trip through the desert, where the participants themselves choose a stopping place. Also, there are many themed rides.
The hallmark of the park is a roller coaster. This ride is not for the faint of heart. It’s considered to be the highest roller coaster – its maximum point is located at an altitude of 61 meters. Sharp turns, dead loops, imitation of a fall, and all this at a speed of 60 km/h. The adrenaline rush is guaranteed to everyone.
Everglades National Park
The great goal of this park is to collect the maximum number of animals on a separate territory. This will show the natural abundance in all its glory. The Everglades is located in a swampy area, the local climate is very close to tropical, which allows keeping heat-loving animals in a comfortable conditions.
The informal name of the park is a grassy river. It’s given because of the large number of swamps and flood meadows. The selection of plants is presented with about 2000 species. Nearby you’ll find tropical vines, cypress thickets, pines, marsh plants and steppe grasses. In addition, the owners managed to collect over 25 different species of orchids. Due to the abundant water cover, the dry season is not felt there.
Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators live peacefully next door to crocodiles. There are about 36 animals in the reserve, whose population is on the verge of extinction, 7 species of rare birds have also found a home for themselves there. You can walk through the park along specially designated paths, and suspension bridges are built above the marshes.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Tortuga Island is famous for its pirate stories. In fact, this is not an island, but a whole archipelago of coral type. Amazing landscape and many fascinating stories won’t leave indifferent visitors to the park.
The main architectural landmark is Fort Jefferson. The building is constructed in the form of a hexagon and occupies the whole island. During the civil war, it began to be used as a prison for deserters. The fort has rightfully earned the glory of a prison from which it’s impossible to escape. The epidemic of terrible disease forced everyone to leave the building. In the future, it’s not just used for its intended purpose.
The great disadvantage is that there’s no fresh water in the whole archipelago – it had to be brought from the mainland. Maintenance costs have become higher than the expediency of the fort. Over time, the building was recognized as a historical value, thus travelers are happy to go visit the legendary Fort Jefferson.
Biscayne National Park
All the fans of the underwater kingdom must visit the Biscayne National Park. This beautiful place is located in a magnificent bay, near Homestead. The coastline is covered with mango thickets, but the main part of the reserve is placed in the water.
Transparent water allows you to see the beauty of the underwater life. Having taken a boat ride with a glass bottom you can admire the splendor of the sea landscape. For those who want to see everything as close as possible, scuba diving is available. Multicolored corals, fancy bright fish, algae leaves, gently swaying in the waves create beautiful views.
The threat to this paradise came from civilization. In the 60s, it was planned to turn all the surroundings into a resort area – this action could severely disrupt the fragile ecosystem. The activists stubbornly conquered this place, and Biscayne received the status of a national park.
It’s better to come there in the dry season. During the rainy season, diving is very dangerous, and you can go home because of the bad weather.
Florida is one of the warmest states in the USA, which allows tourists to enjoy the sun all year round. The fans of solitude and wildlife will like its national parks, where everyone can relax and enjoy the warm Florida sunshine.