National parks near Memphis, Florida
Memphis sits inside the Sarasota area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Sarasota for the full write-up.
Everglades National Park is the closest national park to Memphis, Florida — 183 mi (295 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 4 hr 47 min behind the wheel.
Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Memphis gates the entrance itself, but Everglades National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Memphis has a population of about 7,848.
National parks near Memphis
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everglades National Park | 183 mi (295 km) | 4 hr 47 min | Best as a weekend |
| Biscayne National Park | 201 mi (324 km) | 5 hr 13 min | Best as a weekend |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 202 mi (325 km) | 5 hr 13 min | Best as a weekend |
| Congaree National Park | 444 mi (715 km) | 10 hr 58 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Isla Contoy National Park | 494 mi (796 km) | 12 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park | 513 mi (825 km) | 12 hr 35 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park | 536 mi (863 km) | 13 hr 8 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 561 mi (903 km) | 13 hr 43 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecife Alacranes National Park | 571 mi (918 km) | 13 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park | 574 mi (924 km) | 14 hr 2 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Memphis
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
| Everglades | Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Memphis
Within reach of Memphis, 36 campgrounds across 4 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains, 3 at Congaree, 2 at Biscayne, and 1 at Dry Tortugas.
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
Everglades 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.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Memphis are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Everglades → Biscayne | 57.7 mi (92.9 km) | 1 hr 49 min |
| Everglades → Dry Tortugas | 131 mi (210 km) | 3 hr 32 min |
| Biscayne → Dry Tortugas | 188 mi (303 km) | 4 hr 54 min |
Planning a trip from Memphis
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.
Other towns in Manatee County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Memphis?
Everglades National Park. It is about 183 mi (295 km) from Memphis, roughly 4 hr 47 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Memphis?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Memphis?
10 parks are within reach of Memphis, 0 of them close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Memphis?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 1 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Memphis?
Recreation.gov lists 36 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Memphis. They are spread across 4 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Memphis?
For Everglades National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.