Do you have a national park near you? We are so fortunate in Miami to not only have a 70 acre park across the street, but to live within a few miles of two National Parks, Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. While they each are largely centered around the water (everything in Miami is), Biscayne National Park is more ocean-centered, with fishing, snorkeling and beach activities, while Everglades National Park is better known for camping, fishing, biking and its large population of American Crocodiles! I've partnered with Trust for Public Land on this sponsored post to share my love of the outdoors with you, and to encourage you to GO OUTSIDE! The Trust for Public Land believes everyone should have a healthy connection to nature through nearby parks, working lands, and wild places. Join in the effort to protect our precious lands and open spaces. I think that all human beings need to connect with nature to feel grounded; they need to smell the fresh air and bask in the sunshine - it's not healthy for us to sit indoors, breathing in recycled air under artificial lights every single day.
Getting outside together is such a fantastic bonding experience. Bonding with nature, with our natural surroundings, seeing all of the wildlife that live in our parks - a day at the park is a day well spent.
Miami is such a beautiful city and we have an incredible climate that allows us to spend time outdoors - comfortably - year round. We began making an effort to get outside more often last year; sometimes this might include a quick lunch at the park, a snorkeling trip down in the Keys, a morning of fishing or a simple afternoon walking through the park and enjoying the wildlife.
Biscayne National Park is just a few miles away from our home and provides campgrounds, opportunities for hiking, boating, canoeing and kayaking, snorkeling and fishing. Like most natural areas in Miami, a large portion of Biscayne National Park is water-based, so canoes, kayaks and small boats are the way to go! Though there are also plenty of areas accessible by foot, as well as bike paths.
There are over 500 species of fish in Biscayne National Park, and there are also butterflies, crocodiles, manatees, and many bird species. So many that Biscayne National Park was named an Important Bird Area due to the large population of protected species, migratory, nesting and wading birds.
Everglades National Park is where I spent a lot of my childhood, as I lived nearby and my father was a fishing and camping enthusiast. While my family does not own a boat yet, Chris and I still enjoy driving down to Biscayne National Park to take scenic drives, long walks and to see my favorite Miami animal...the American Crocodile!
While we do have crocodiles in other areas in Miami, the portion of Everglades National Park known as "Flamingo" is a surefire way to see them up close and personal. I'm a little obsessed with Crocodiles and I get such a kick out of seeing them in their natural habitat!
Everglades National Park covers 1.5 million acres, across Miami-Dade, Collier and Monroe counties. I live in Miami-Dade county, so that's the portion of the park that I am most familiar with - though I have been fishing in Monroe county on many occasions.
Every so often, we will jump in the car for a long drive down to Flamingo to see the crocodiles and stop along the way to walk through the nature trails. I do not recommend doing this without bug repellent during the summer months, as the mosquitos can be overwhelming!
During the dry season, you can find wading birds, cormorants, Purple Gallinules, and nesting Anhingas - and you'll see Hawks fishing in the waters year round!
While I am not a birding expert, I always get a kick out of seeing the different species of birds in the park. If you are a bird watcher, you can find a lot of helpful information on the Florida Bird and Wildlife Trail here. It's one more fantastic way to get outside and take advantage of our beautiful Florida weather!
We are incredibly fortunate to live in an area with access to so many parks and recreational areas. In many parts of the country, there are people who aren't as fortunate. Did you know that one in three people live in cities where they don't have access to parks or natural areas? I think about all of the natural areas that we have here in Miami and that just breaks my heart!
The Trust for Public Land wants to change that! They are working with communities nationwide to save the places that people love. The Trust for Public Land aims to create and protect parks and other natural areas so that we all have more opportunities to go outside, enjoy the sunshine and breath in the fresh air. Since 1972, the Trust for Public Land has protected over 3 million acres and created over 5,000 parks and natural areas! Their goal is to ensure that everyone in the United States has access to nature within a short ten minute walk from their home, and they are doing a great job of it - but they need your help!
"The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. We protect the places people care about and create close-to-home parks—particularly in and near cities, where 80% of Americans live."
Do you have a local park or natural area that you visit with your family? I can not imagine growing up without my local parks, or raising my daughter without a special place to go outdoors. Even now, I still love packing a snack, grabbing my tablet and heading to the park down the street for a relaxing lunch. I am always happiest when I am outdoors.
Share your story and join the movement to protect #OurLand! Simply visit TPL.Org and upload a photo of your favorite park or natural area and explain why this place means so much to you!
Shell says
This looks like an amazing national park! I love to get out in nature with the family and places like this make that even more fun.
Liz Mays says
Save our parks, we love being outside! The everglades are made up of a bunch of important ecosystems we can't afford to lose.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I would love to get there one day. What a gorgeous place.
Kecia says
Parks like this one provide SO many fun activities. We have a local state park where we got to hike, take photos, and just chill out as a family.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I would love to go there. Especially right now...I need sunshine! And winter has just begun.
Sue says
I love nature an love to go to parks and beaches. I have not been to either of these parks, but I will put them on my list of places to go! Thanks for sharing!
Jeanine says
Wow! What a treat that would be! It looks beautiful. I wish we had a national park near us to explore!
Debra says
We need to do what we can to save natural treasures like the Everglades. It's definitely on our bucket list to visit there!
Shell says
What a gorgeous place! I'd love to visit!
Pam says
Wow, what beautiful pictures! I have always wanted to visit here!
Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy says
That looks so beautiful! With the weather we are having here, it looks sooo warm and inviting.
Catherine S says
This sounds like a great National Park to visit. Next time I am down south I will have to check it out.
kristin says
This looks like avery nice palce to visit. Thank you for sharing.
Amanda says
I was so surprised when I was in Florida about how green everything was. It really is beautiful!
Melinda says
it all looks beautiful. That is one big bird too
Tiffany (A Mom's Take) says
You live in such a great place. I'd love to go fishing there, so would my husband.
Tracey says
This looks beautiful. I would love to experience this in person.
Kathleen says
Looks like a beautiful park to explore, we love national and state parks and definitely want to do all we can to keep them beautiful.
Tamara @ We3Travel says
We head down to South Florida a couple of times a year and still have yet to go to the everglades -- maybe next time! It looks beautiful.
Kendra says
We were just down that way and started to visit Everglades. Thanks for sharing the difference. I hope we visit both soon. They look like tons of fun
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Christie says
Some great wildlife you found there! I love visiting the Everglades, a true Florida treasure!
Debbie Denny says
Love visiting National Parks. This is one I will have to see. Nice pics.
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
We don't have a national park super close to us so I visit them whenever I actually get a chance! You took some great photos and sounds like you had a fantastic time!
Krystal's Kitsch says
I have always wanted to go. I'm only about two hours away!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have always wanted to travel to Miami. These photos are great. I will have to try to get there next year.
Annie {Stowed Stuff} says
What a beautiful place! Next time I visit Miami I'll have to check out the National Park! I'm so jealous of your climate. Today was dreary and cold here in Boston!
Tess says
I wish we had a national park here. What a fun place and nice photos.
Drew Bennett says
Been down to Miami a number of times and have never gotten a chance to explore these parks. Something I certainly would love to do.
Caroline Murphy says
Thank you for the reminder of the beauty that surround us South Floridians!!!
We haven't enjoyed the everglades in years. I think it's about time to bring the kids!
Amanda says
What wonderful pictures! I'd love to visit here with my family! They would love it!
Amy says
Biscayne National Park is so stunning! I love the blue skies and water so much!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
It's been ages since I've been to Miami. I need to get back. It looks so beautiful there with so much scenery to take in!
(Sidenote, your dress is super cute!)
Leah says
This park looks beautiful!!! It looks like you had a great time! My family and I will be coming down that way, I'm hoping in the spring...we'll have to visit Everglades National Park!