In 2026, the National Park Service and Florida state parks (NPS) are throwing open their gates for the 250th anniversary of American independence. Free admission days are on the calendar, and they’re hoping folks will get out and explore both the country’s history and Florida’s wild side.
Down in southwest Florida, big names like Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Park are waiving entrance fees, shining a spotlight on the area’s incredible mix of stories and scenery.
This whole celebration is massive. As the country hits 250 years, the National Park Service wants people to walk the actual ground where history happened, think Revolutionary War battlefields, monuments, and so many other places you’ve only read about. It’s about bringing Americans closer to the past in a way that sticks.
In Southwest Florida, you’ve got some real gems:
Everglades National Park isn’t just a sea of grass. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with rare wildlife and those unforgettable wetlands.
Dry Tortugas National Park sits out in the Gulf, only reachable by boat or seaplane. You’ll find Fort Jefferson here, and some of the clearest water and coral reefs around.
Collier-Seminole State Park, just outside Naples, gives you a taste of Florida’s native landscape—mangroves, wildlife, and a slower pace.
Or drive just over two hours north and experience Weeki Wachee State Park, an historic Florida destination located in Spring Hill, best known for its world-famous underwater mermaid shows and the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States. The park features crystal-clear 74-degree spring water and is home to the Buccaneer Bay waterpark.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is wild, unpredictable, and often called the “Amazon of the Everglades.” It’s the kind of place adventurers daydream about.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is joining the party too, offering free entry to dozens of state parks, especially around big holiday weekends like Presidents’ Day. Usually, these free days cover standard admission, but not camping or guided tours. If you’re heading to a popular spot, plan ahead; parks fill up fast on these dates.
