My beautiful state of Florida boasts several National “playgrounds” that welcome visitors who appreciate the diverse activities and natural beauty the parks offer.
The most remote of these unique natural resources is the Dry Tortugas National Park located 70 miles West of Key West, Florida. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, visitors are greeted with lush flora and fauna, stunning coral reefs just waiting for snorkelers to view the myriad of marine life living in and around them, and great fishing and camping.
Ft. Jefferson is located on Garden Key, one of many keys that make up the Dry Tortugas, and is open year-around from sunrise to sunset. There are no services available on Garden Key, so plan to bring your own food, water, etc., and clean up after yourself by taking everything with you when you leave.
The various keys keep different hours for visitors. Loggerhead Key is open to visitors all year from sunrise to sunset. Bush Key is open to visitors from October 15 to January 15, sunrise to sunset. Middle and East Keys are only open from October 16 to March 31, sunrise to sunset.
Hospital Key and Long Key are not open to visitors at all. Those curious souls should remain at least 100 feet offshore of any closed islands.
Entrance fee is $5.00 for ages 16 and older and covers 7 days. But if you are a senior, remember that Lifetime Pass that you can purchase for $10 that will get you in free to all National parks. Campgrounds charge $3.00 per person per night, but the Lifetime Pass will get you 50% off that rate. You will need to pay for your own transportation to and from the Dry Tortugas.
Back on the mainland of Florida, nothing compares to the 1.5 million acre expanse that makes up the Everglades National Park. Home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees and sea turtles among other animals and birds, this World Heritage Site offers boating, camping, hiking, biking, canoeing and tram tours.
If you plan to visit Everglades National Park, know that in this sub-tropical climate, there is a dry season and a rainy season. Be prepared and pack accordingly. Bring plenty of water with you, along with insect repellant, sunscreen and proper clothing.
Leave your pets at home. They are not allowed on the trails and you don’t want to risk them getting loose and becoming gator bait. Never feed the wildlife and always supervise your children or grandchildren.
Everglades National Park charges $10 per private vehicle, which is good for 7 days. Camping costs extra. That Lifetime Pass for seniors would get you in free, along with everyone in your car. Click here for more information.
On the West side of the state, South of Naples, you’ll find Big Cypress National Preserve. This fresh water swamp supports the marine estuaries along Florida’s Southwest Coast. Here, you will find a mixture of tropical and temperate plants that are home to wildlife. The Preserve is open 24 hours a day, year around. You can enter or exit at will. Overnight visitors are expected to stay in designated campground sites. To visit the back country, a permit is required.
This park is occasionally closed to protect natural resources or to ensure visitor safety.
Big Cypress offers kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and ranger-led activities. December 6, 2014 is the date for the 4th annual Swamp Heritage Festival at the Welcome Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrating the history of the park. There will be live performances, exhibits, story-telling, and demonstrations. The event is free of charge.
Throughout the year, Big Cypress hosts art exhibits, an artist-in-residence program, and various demonstrations.
Visitors with mobility issues can access the visitor’s center, restrooms, campgrounds and boardwalks. No food, gas or lodging is available but can be obtained in the nearby town of Ochopee.
The three National parks described here will give you wonderful vacations on a budget with the best that our state has to offer. Getting back to nature and enjoying the beauty of the parks could “charge your batteries” and rejuvenate your life.
