National parks near DeLand, Florida: Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is the closest national park to DeLand, Florida — 245 mi (395 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 6 hr 15 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 DeLand gates the entrance itself, but Everglades National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
DeLand has a population of about 30,195.
Biscayne National Park
Everglades National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Congaree National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Isla Contoy National Park
Best time to visit Biscayne National Park. Getting to Biscayne National Park. Camping at Biscayne National Park.
National parks near DeLand
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne National Park | 245 mi (395 km) | 6 hr 15 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Everglades National Park | 257 mi (414 km) | 6 hr 32 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 319 mi (513 km) | 8 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Congaree National Park | 330 mi (531 km) | 8 hr 15 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 473 mi (762 km) | 11 hr 39 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Isla Contoy National Park | 623 mi (1002 km) | 15 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| New River Gorge National Park | 625 mi (1006 km) | 15 hr 14 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 628 mi (1011 km) | 15 hr 19 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park | 641 mi (1031 km) | 15 hr 37 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park | 664 mi (1069 km) | 16 hr 10 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave DeLand
| 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 |
| Everglades National Park | Everglades National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near DeLand
Within reach of DeLand, 46 campgrounds across 6 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 3 at Congaree National Park, plus 2 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 DeLand
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 Volusia County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to DeLand?
Biscayne National Park. It is about 245 mi (395 km) from DeLand, roughly 6 hr 15 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from DeLand?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near DeLand?
10 parks are within reach of DeLand, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near DeLand?
None of them gate the entrance itself. Everglades National Park puts 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 DeLand?
Recreation.gov lists 46 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of DeLand. They are spread across 6 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near DeLand?
For Biscayne National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.