Florida State Parks Near Fort Lauderdale

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is known for its rare coastal hammock, scenic freshwater lagoon, and easy access to both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a quiet natural retreat with picnic areas, wildlife viewing, and recreation in the middle of a busy urban area.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park features a beautiful barrier-island beach, tidal lagoons, and mangrove habitats that support abundant birds and marine life. Its location near Port Everglades makes it a popular escape for beachgoers, paddlers, anglers, and nature lovers.

Oleta River State Park combines coastal scenery with active recreation, including mountain biking, paddling, swimming, and fishing. Its mangrove-lined waterways and picnic areas make it a favorite day-trip destination for South Florida visitors.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park combines coastal recreation with one of Florida’s most iconic historic landmarks, the Cape Florida Lighthouse. The park offers beach access, fishing, biking, kayaking, and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Barnacle Historic State Park is known for its preserved historic home, scenic Biscayne Bay frontage, and mature hammock landscape in the heart of Coconut Grove. Visitors come for guided history, quiet picnicking, and a rare sense of Miami’s early coastal heritage.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park features a beautiful Atlantic beach, the Lake Worth Lagoon, and a nature center connected by boardwalks and a scenic bridge. It is one of South Florida’s best places to experience coastal ecosystems, paddle calm waters, and spot native birds and marine life.