National parks near Palm Coast, Florida
Biscayne National Park is the closest national park to Palm Coast, Florida — 281 mi (451 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 7 hr 5 min behind the wheel.
Mostly water: mangrove shoreline and coral reef south of Miami. Best seen by boat or snorkel, not by hiking.
Nothing near Palm Coast gates the entrance itself, but 2 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Palm Coast has a population of about 82,893.
Biscayne National Park
Congaree National Park
Everglades National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
New River Gorge National Park
Best time to visit Biscayne National Park. Getting to Biscayne National Park. Camping at Biscayne National Park.
National parks near Palm Coast
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne National Park | 281 mi (451 km) | 7 hr 5 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Congaree National Park | 291 mi (468 km) | 7 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Everglades National Park | 295 mi (475 km) | 7 hr 26 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 357 mi (575 km) | 8 hr 54 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 438 mi (705 km) | 10 hr 49 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| New River Gorge National Park | 586 mi (944 km) | 14 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 596 mi (960 km) | 14 hr 34 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Shenandoah National Park | 639 mi (1029 km) | 15 hr 35 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Isla Contoy National Park | 658 mi (1059 km) | 16 hr 1 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park | 676 mi (1088 km) | 16 hr 27 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Palm Coast
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
| Shenandoah National Park | Old Rag Mountain Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Everglades National Park | Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Palm Coast
Within reach of Palm Coast, 50 campgrounds across 7 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5 at New River Gorge National Park, 5 at Mammoth Cave National Park, and 4 at Shenandoah National Park, plus 3 more parks with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Biscayne National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Planning a trip from Palm Coast
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Palm Coast?
Biscayne National Park. It is about 281 mi (451 km) from Palm Coast, roughly 7 hr 5 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Palm Coast?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Palm Coast?
10 parks are within reach of Palm Coast, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Palm Coast?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 2 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits and Old Rag Mountain Tickets at Shenandoah National Park. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Palm Coast?
Recreation.gov lists 50 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Palm Coast. They are spread across 7 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Palm Coast?
For Biscayne National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.