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National Parks in Miami Florida

Blogs Written By Colin Keohane

Long-time resident of South Florida who loves boating, great restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. I've chosen to make Miami my home because of the city's incredible culture. I love sharing my local knowledge with others through writing.

Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the United States. It’s enormous wilderness area that covers most of the Southern portion of Florida. The wetlands cover 1.5 million acres and are filled with fish, alligators, birds, endangered species, and the Florida Panther. There are only three access points to the Everglades. Visitors are basically guaranteed to see wildlife throughout their entire trip through Everglades Park Miami.

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

The largest visitor center in Everglades Park in Miami is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. It’s located about 50 miles south of Miami along the east coast of Florida. The visitor center has numerous on-site amenities like bathrooms, food, and other essentials. Outside of the center are numerous walking trails and wildlife-viewing platforms. Exploring this section of the Everglades tells you a lot about the history of Florida. Before Florida was developed, nearly the entirety of the state was swamp land similar to the Everglades. Seeing the Everglades gives you the chance to see the natural state of Florida before all of the modern development. It’s a rich ecosystem full of diverse wildlife.

Things to Do in Everglades Park Miami

1. Wildlife Viewing: The Everglades is famous for its incredible wildlife. Make sure to bring some binoculars and explore the numerous trails and observation decks. From here you can see so much of the wildlife that the park has to offer.

2. Airboat Tours: An extremely fun and exhilarating way to see the Everglades is by taking an Airboat Tour. These tours are fast and exciting and give you the opportunity to view parts of the Everglades that aren’t accessible by the walking trails. Airboat tours always prioritize your safety by providing life jackets and earmuffs to drown out the sound of the loud engine.

3. Hiking: The Everglades are full of numerous hiking trails. There are trails that are very easy, flat walks that are accessible to most patrons. Then there are also some more rugged and difficult hiking trails scattered throughout the Florida national park. Trails such as the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limo Trail give visitors of the park the opportunity to explore different habitats and see the expansive wildlife of the everglades.

4. Canoeing and Kayaking: Traveling to the everglades gives you the option to rent your own kayak or canoe and explore the waters on your own time. You can choose between one person or two person kayaks that give you the option to explore the everglades with a close friend or partner. There are also several companies that offer guiding kayak tours.

5. Biking: Everglades Park near Miami, Florida has several trails that are specifically designated for biking. The Shark Valley trail has a 15-mile loop that is great for both hikers and bikers. Obviously, biking gives you the change to cover way more ground than you would if you were just walking around. We highly recommend renting a bike as a great way to explore national parks in Miami.

Biscayne National Park Miami

Photo: Aarp.org

Located just north of the Florida Keys and a few miles south of Miami is Biscayne National Park. This National Park in Miami doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the Everglades. But we think it’s one of the most critically underrated places to visit in Miami. This national park near Miami was established to prevent Elliott Key and the surrounding islands from being developed. The goal has been to preserve the natural wildlife and coral reefs of the area. The coral reefs located within the national park are part of the world’s third-largest coral barrier reef system.

Things to Do in Biscayne National Park in Miami

1. Book a Boat Tour: Booking a boat tour in Biscayne national park will be completely different than your typical charter Miami experience. In Biscayne National Park you’ll get to see some of the richest wildlife in its natural state. You can even book a small yacht rental and venture out for a day of snorkeling. There are three shipwrecks just of the coast of Elliot Key: the Mandalay Wreck, the Erl King Wreck, and the Alicia Wreck.

2. Explore Boca Chita Key: Boca Chita Key is one of the most northern islands of Biscayne National Park. The island features a lighthouse, publica restrooms, several pavilion areas, and an extensive hiking trail. Boca Chita is one of our favorite spots because it’s such a secluded island that’s only a few miles away from one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. It’s incredible to see how calm and quiet it is on Boca Chita Island when a loud and vibrant city is so close by.

Final Thoughts Whether you travel through the Everglades or make your way south to Biscayne National Park, you will see no shortage of incredible wildlife and beautiful views of nature. So, for your next trip to Miami, make sure you check out on of the amazing national parks that the city has to offer. You won’t regret this unique experience and you are sure to get some great photos that will leave your friends stunned. We hope this article was helpful and you have an amazing time on your next trip to Miami.