Taking a road trip through the Floridas national parks is one of the best ways to discover the natural wealth of this state. From the immense swamp of the Everglades to the colourful sea creatures of Biscayne and the rather isolated and historic beauty of Dry Tortugas, this itinerary is a fascinating tour of three of the most beautiful national parks in Florida. If you are a nature lover, history lover or just in a search of an exciting vacation, this road trip will give you a taste of Floridas most attractive natural sites.
Starting Your Florida Road Trip
Day 1: Arrive in Miami
Your road trip starts in Miami a vigorous city that is known as the entrance to the national parks of Florida. Before starting the journey, it is recommended to spend at least a couple of days in Miami to get acquainted with the culture and cuisine of the country. It is advisable to look for a hotel around the downtown area or the Coconut Grove because it will be easy to get a hotel near the road that will lead to your first stop. Regarding the remaining preparations, this day can be used to acquire anything which may be needed on the road, or indeed on the journey.
Day 2: Exploring Everglades National Park
The second day, rise early to go to the south Floridas Everglades National Park one of the largest and most diverse parks in the country. Begin your tour at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Centre where you will be able to get a brief history of the park and its geography. From there, proceed to take an airboat ride over the parks vast swamp area in which you can see alligators, wading birds and other animals. You could also wander through the parks hiking paths in the afternoon; one of the best trails to go for is the Anhinga Trail that provides a vantage point of the vegetation and the wildlife. Finish your day with a sunset drive within the parks roads and then proceed back to Miami for the night.
Journey to Biscayne National Park
Day 3: Discovering Biscayne National Park
On the third day of the road trip, it will be best that you head to Biscayne National Park which is not very far from Miami. This park is one of the most extraordinary if it is considered that 95% of its territory is located under the water, which will be interesting for the lovers of water and marine life. Begin your visit at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center where you will gain an appreciation of the marine life in the park and the keys. Later, you can go for renting a kayak or paddle board to go round the park by the mangrove lined shores. For more adventure, join the snorkel trips to explore the beautiful corals where you can see the beautiful fishes and some other marine animals.
Day 4: Biscayne Bay Boat Tour
Spend your fourth day in the park availing a full day boat cruise on Biscayne Bay, an effective way of exploring the park. Such tours may include visits to several islands in the park; for instance, Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key where visitors may engage in activities such as hiking and swimming or taking a sun bath at the sandy shores. There are also chances to snorkel since the waters of the park are very clear to enable viewing of the coral reefs. To cap the day, those who want may go to Homestead, the nearby town with a good number of seafood restaurants to treat your palate after a day on Biscayne.
Final Stop: Dry Tortugas National Park
Day 5: Drive to Key West
Day five involves a drive through the coastal areas from Miami to Key West which is the most southern point in the continental USA. There are stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico along the Overseas Highway and it is such a ride. Stop and explore the numerous photo spots and other sights to see along the route including seven-mile Bridge and Bahia Honda state park. Reach Key West preferably by the later part of the day and then check into your hotel or inn and rest for the night.
Day 6: Exploring Dry Tortugas National Park
The sixth day of your road trip will be spent in the relatively unknown and utterly enchanting Dry Tortugas National Park. It can only be reached via a ferry or seaplane since it is an island. The road to the park itself is an expedition; during the trip, it is possible to enjoy the views of the Gulf of Mexico. When you get there you will be welcomed by the view of the Fort Jefferson; it is one of the largest masonry structures in the Western Hemisphere. This is one of the largest coastal fortresses constructed in the 19th century and was actively used during the Civil War. Guided tours of the fort are available where one can learn about the role the then inhabitants played in the strategic importance of the fort.
Thus, having learned the history of Fort Jefferson, it is high time to turn to the nature that adorns this place. Dry Tortugas has crystal clear waters that are a great color of turquoise and are ideal for snorkeling. The coral reef in the park is rich in marine life, thus fish, beautiful corals, and even turtles are easily found in the park. Here the underwater world is one of the most untouched in the region, and behold the richness of the various ecosystems inhabiting the sea in these conditions.
Day 7: Relax and Explore Key West
As you leave Key West, you ought to spend the last day of your road trip in relaxation, and in appreciation of the new culture that the city provides. This is an extremely picturesque town with multiple historical and cultural attractions it is an ideal place to end your Florida vacation. A good place to begin your sightseeing is the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum which will allow you to take a look into the house of the great writer. Indeed, the house furnished with the items that belonged to Hemingway and filled with the mementos related to his life work is an excellent guide for readers.
If you feel that the exploring of the museum has taken so much of your energy, walk around Duval Street, which is the main commercial street in Key West full of shops, galleries and cafes. Basically, it ranges from local paintings to the bizarre souvenirs; everything can be bought here and all this in the spirit of the towns calmness. If you feel like having a slower tempo to the day, then why not check out one of the beautiful beaches in Key West? Relax on the beach in the afternoon, swim in the warm sea water, or just have free time while being at the ocean.
Conclusion
This three day road trip covers three of the most beautiful national parks in Florida filled with natural wonders, adventure and history. Starting from the Everglades, which are the wetlands, to Biscayne, which is underwater and the more deserted Dry Tortugas, each park is different offering the best of Florida. Whether the guests are going for the mangrove kayaking, snorkeling in the coral reefs, or visiting the historical forts, this is the itinerary that would give a wonderful experience of the Sunshine States natural beauty.
