National parks near Key West, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park is the closest national park to Key West, Florida — 68.6 mi (110 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 4 min behind the wheel.
Dry Tortugas and Everglades make a full day trip — leave early. Biscayne is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Key West gates the entrance itself, but Everglades National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Key West has a population of about 25,755.
National parks near Key West
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 68.6 mi (110 km) | 2 hr 4 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Everglades National Park | 75.1 mi (121 km) | 2 hr 14 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Biscayne National Park | 131 mi (210 km) | 3 hr 32 min | Best as a weekend |
| Isla Contoy National Park | 382 mi (615 km) | 9 hr 30 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park | 395 mi (635 km) | 9 hr 47 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park | 413 mi (665 km) | 10 hr 14 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park | 446 mi (717 km) | 11 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Tulum National Park | 469 mi (755 km) | 11 hr 33 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecife Alacranes National Park | 523 mi (841 km) | 12 hr 49 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Dzibilchaltún National Park | 552 mi (888 km) | 13 hr 31 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Key West
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everglades | Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Key West
Within reach of Key West, 3 campgrounds across 2 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 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
Dry Tortugas 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 Key West 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Contoy → Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres | 21.2 mi (34.1 km) | 48 min |
| Everglades → Biscayne | 57.7 mi (92.9 km) | 1 hr 49 min |
| Dry Tortugas → Everglades | 131 mi (210 km) | 3 hr 32 min |
| Dry Tortugas → Biscayne | 188 mi (303 km) | 4 hr 54 min |
Planning a trip from Key West
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 Monroe County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Key West?
Dry Tortugas National Park. It is about 68.6 mi (110 km) from Key West, roughly 2 hr 4 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Key West?
Yes — Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Key West?
10 parks are within reach of Key West, 2 of them close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Key West?
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 Key West?
Recreation.gov lists 3 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Key West. They are spread across 2 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Key West?
For Dry Tortugas National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.