Get Free Admission To National Parks In Florida

If you’ve been putting off a trip to the Everglades, Dry Tortugas or another National Park because you’re trying to save money – now is the time to go.

All entrance fees at National Parks and Monuments in Florida and across the country are waived through Sunday, April 24 for National Park Week.

Florida has 11 national parks, according to the National Park Service. Its parks see more than 10 million visitors a year, bringing an estimated $627 million to the state. There are also 18 national natural landmarks in the Sunshine State, one National Heritage Area, 44 National Historic Landmarks and one World Heritage Site.

There are plenty of special events going on this week, including:

• April 22: Earth Day - On Earth Day, if you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in with a project, look for a park where you can help out.
• April 23: National Park Instameet - Join an InstaMeet in a park. Gather in a designated place at a specific time to take photos and short videos to post on Instagram (and other social media) with the same hashtag: #FindYourParkInstaMeet, #FindYourPark, #EncuentraTuParque, #NPS100
• April 24: Park Rx Day - On Park Rx Day, parks will host fun recreational activities that encourage healthy lifestyles and promote physical and mental well-being.

Florida’s National Parks and Monuments include:

• Biscayne National Park – Miami, Key Biscayne and Homestead
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – St. Augustine
• De Soto National Memorial – Bradenton (Entry is always free, but donations are accepted.)
• Dry Tortugas National Park – Key West
• Everglades National Park – Miami, Naples and Homestead

To find out more about Florida’s National Parks, visit the National Park Service online.

Photo of Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park courtesy of the National Park Service website

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.