Southern Florida is home to some of the few tropical national parks in the country. Travel to one or both of these neighboring areas to enjoy all the beauty they have to offer.

Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve lies 45 miles west of Miami and neighbors the Florida Everglades. This tropical national preserve is home to the Big Cypress Swamp, a truly unique natural environment. Take an airboat tour through the trails of the swamp to spot unique vegetation and wildlife, or go off-roading on an airboat of your own. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, the preserve also offers a wide variety of traditional park activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park accounts for 20% of the Florida Everglades. It was the first national park established to protect a complex ecosystem, and it's home to many endangered species like the manatee and the Florida panther. Visit the park year-round to enjoy activities like canoeing, fishing, and hiking, or spot an alligator along one of the airboat tours. The park, which is the third largest in the contiguous US, offers a wide array of activities that are suitable to nearly anyone.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Christopher Michel

Everything is more fun in the sun, which makes these two national parks in Florida excellent travel destinations. One of them comprises seven small islands far off the coast, while the other protects a delicate ecosystem and provides a variety of leisurely activities.

Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park lies approximately 70 miles off the coast of Key West. It consists of seven small islands and the clear blue waters surrounding them. The park's main attraction is Fort Jefferson, which is the largest masonry structure in the Americas. Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat and plane, but offers a wide variety of activities like camping, canoeing, and guided tours. You can also take guided fishing or snorkeling trips from one of the local vendors.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is the third largest National Park in the contiguous United States. It is located in southern Florida and was the first national park to protect an ecosystem, rather than to preserve geographic features. Guests can look for some of the endangered wildlife like alligators and Florida panthers while on an airboat tour, or take part in traditional activities like camping, fishing, and hiking.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/L'eau Bleue