Biscayne National Park in South Florida offers so much for visitors to see and do. But there are other places of interest near this park if you are looking for a worthwhile side trip. Below are a few suggestions.
Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park
If you don’t have a boat or aren’t into water pursuits and wish to remain firmly on land (even if that ground might be a little soggy in spots), then a visit to either one of these units of the National Park Service is just the ticket. Click on the links above for these park units to be taken to the Traveler’s in-depth exploration of each park.
Big Cypress is 53-57 miles (85.3-92 kilometers) from Biscayne. Everglades is even closer (18 miles/29 kilometers). At these parks, you can hike and bicycle and even do a little ORVing. At Big Cypress, trails range from 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) roundtrip to as far as you wish to go along the 1,400-mile (2,253-kilometer) Florida National Scenic Trail stretching to Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida.
Everglades is a larger park and thus offers more hiking and biking trails, ranging from short interpretive walks of less than a mile (1.61 kilometers) roundtrip, to the 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) one-way Coastal Prairie Trail.
Sometimes these trails will be dry, and sometimes portions of them may be submerged, depending upon the time of year you visit. Wherever you hike or bike, you will see a range of habitats including beaches, mangrove, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, prairies and cypress.
You can explore these parks on two wheels, as well, since both locations offer a range of roads and biking trails.
There are more land-based camping options, too, to which you can drive your car or RV.
Looking for something a little more “citified” near Biscayne National Park? Miami, Boca Raton, and all the towns and suburbs in the southeastern part of Florida are perfect for shopping, sightseeing, and indulging in foods highlighting the vibrant Latin and Caribbean cultures.
In addition to the food and shopping within these communities, take time to check out the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and the iconic neighborhoods of Miami’s Little Havana, Calle Ocho, and South Beach.
- By Rebecca Latson - March 5th, 2026 4:47pm
