Are you a South Floridian who's been meaning to explore the Everglades, ride a boat on Biscayne Bay or trek through Dry Tortugas... but just never gotten around to it?
Well, now you're out of excuses. This weekend (April 22 and 23), you can visit South Florida's three national parks for free. It's part of , which goes through Sunday. And the celebration includes abundant activities to highlight these natural, national treasures.
take place at each of the park's four visitors centers (directions ):
- starting from several of the visitors centers
- to see a meteor shower or wildlife near the Shark Valley Visitors Center (Saturday, April 22; call 305-221-8776 for times and reservations)
- starting from the Shark Valley Visitors Center and its vicinity
- (1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23) at the Flamingo Visitor Center
- located near the Ernest Coe and Royal Palm visitors centers in Homestead (Tours have ended for the season and are scheduled to resume in December)
At Biscayne Bay National Park (directions ):
- A (Saturday, April 22 at the park's Dante Fascell Visitors Center) that includes bird watching and art projects to earn badges
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- in the park that's 95 percent water
At Dry Tortugas National Park (accessible only by boat or plane; directions ):
- A ; nets, licenses and other equipment provided (3 p.m. Saturday, April 22)
- of the park's historic Civil War-era Fort Jefferson
While you're at it, why not check out ? Admission there is always free.
This post has been updated with additional information about the missile base tour in Everglades National Park.
