Florida is home to some of the most breathtaking nature in the country, protected in a vast network of national and state parks.
If you’re after something wild, this road trip leads to places where you can kayak past alligators, snorkel over shipwrecks, and even set up camp on a remote island.
You’ll also find spring-fed rivers, underwater parks, giant forts, and trails that lead to views you’ll never forget.
So load up the car and prepare for the ultimate Florida road trip through the state’s coolest national and state parks (spoiler: every stop is a must-see).
1. Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is located off Scenic Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle, about halfway between Destin and Panama City Beach.
It’s known for its sugar-white sand, crystal-clear Gulf water, and Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake that covers about 100 acres.
Here, you can hike the 1-mile Grayton Beach Nature Trail, paddleboard across the lake, or camp at one of 59 sites just steps from the shore.
Fun fact: Grayton Beach was ranked the #1 beach in America in 2020 by Dr. Beach, thanks to its untouched beauty and super chill vibe.
2. Silver Springs State Park
Next up is Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, located right in the middle of Florida and home to one of the biggest artesian springs in the entire world.
This spot is famous for its glass-bottom boat tours, where you can see fish, turtles, and even ancient artifacts through the clear water.
If watching from the boat isn’t enough, you can hop in a kayak and follow the Silver River’s 5-mile paddle trail beneath a canopy of trees.
You’ll also find a 4.5-mile loop trail for hiking and boardwalks that wind past cypress swamps, along with a museum and rustic cabins for an overnight stay.
3. Crystal River Preserve State Park
About an hour’s drive from Ocala takes you to Crystal River Preserve State Park, where land, salt marsh, and Gulf waters meet in one wild corner of Florida.
The park is packed with coastal trails, including the Seven Mile Loop Trail, where you might spot armadillos, rabbits, or even an otter.
You can also kayak along winding estuaries, bike through pine flatwoods, or take a scenic boat ride along the river.
There aren’t any campgrounds here, but the sunsets over St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve are reason enough to stay through the evening.
4. Myakka River State Park
Up next is Myakka River State Park, one of the state’s oldest and largest parks with more than 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, and shady hammocks.
The highlight here is the Myakka River, where you can rent a kayak or canoe to glide past alligators and wading birds.
Afterwards, head to the Canopy Walkway, a 25-foot-high suspension bridge that lets you walk through the treetops and climb a tower for incredible views.
And if you’re not ready to leave yet, the park’s 39+ miles of hiking trails and cozy cabins make it easy to stay and soak in the wilderness.
5. Biscayne National Park
From swamps to sea, Biscayne National Park takes you into clear blue waters near Miami, where 95% of the park lies beneath the surface.
This place is a dream if you’re into snorkeling, with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and schools of tropical fish just waiting to be explored.
If you’d rather stay dry, hop on a boat to Boca Chita Key, visit the historic lighthouse, or spend the night camping on one of the park’s islands.
There’s also a short boardwalk near the visitor center, but nothing compares to being out on the water.
(At the time of writing, the Boca Chita Lighthouse is temporarily closed for interior renovations, so check online before planning your visit.)
6. Everglades National Park
Just a bit inland from Biscayne, Everglades National Park feels like another world, with slow-moving water, sawgrass plains, and more alligators than people.
This is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., and you can explore it by airboat, kayak, or on foot along trails like the 0.8-mile Anhinga Trail.
For bird lovers, bring your binoculars and keep an eye out because over 360 species call this place home, including roseate spoonbills, herons, and egrets.
And if you want to experience the park after dark, Long Pine Key and Flamingo both offer campsites where you might hear frogs greeting the dawn.
7. Bahia Honda State Park
Then there’s Bahia Honda State Park, one of the best beach spots in the entire state.
It’s located at Mile Marker 37 and offers great snorkeling just off the shore at Sandspur and Calusa beaches.
You can also walk up the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge for epic views of the turquoise water and surrounding islands.
There are campsites, cabins, and palm-lined picnic spots here, so it’s easy to spend a whole day (or night) soaking up that laid-back Keys vibe.
8. Dry Tortugas National Park
For the grand finale, take a ferry or seaplane from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park, one of Florida’s most remote and breathtaking destinations.
This place is all about clear water, coral reefs, and the massive Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century brick fortress that takes up almost the whole island.
It’s all easy to explore because you can snorkel straight from the beach and see colorful fish, sea turtles, and even bits of old shipwrecks in the shallow water.
And camping here is just as fun, with no Wi-Fi, no roads, and barely any people, just starlit skies and the sound of waves hitting the sand.
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