In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this Friday through Sunday, visitors to Florida’s state parks will have free admission to nearly all of the state’s 175 parks.
Florida’s state parks cover a wide range of landscapes and habitats, from caves to wetlands, springs to beaches, and are part of an award-winning public land system where people can enjoy paddling, hiking, camping, swimming, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and more.
“Every Fourth of July is special, but we recognize this Independence Day as an important moment in our nation’s history,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “I invite all Floridians, their friends, and their families to our state parks to enjoy the outdoors, make new memories, and support our precious public lands.”
Free admission applies to day use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including tours, rentals, accommodations, and special events, remain valid.
In 2025, Florida state parks and trails welcomed more than 28 million visitors and had a direct impact of $3.6 billion on local economies across the state.
In addition to the free admission weekend, Adventures Unbound by Guest Services offers exclusive merchandise from 250 American brands at select parks, including hats, caps, shirts, pins and more. These include Blue Springs State Park, Crystal River State Park, De Leon Springs State Park, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Hontoon Island State Park, Oleta River State Park, Rainbow Springs State Park, Rock Springs Guest Ranch, St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island, and Wekiwa Springs State Park. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park also sell merchandise, although admission is not free.
Here are some popular parks in the greater Central Florida area that offer free admission this weekend. If it’s a popular park with spring water, be sure to arrive early to guarantee entry.
Blue Springs State Park
Known as a winter haven for manatees seeking warm waters, Blue Springs State Park is a summer oasis for snorkelers and tuber enthusiasts. You enter the 72-degree water through one of two entrances, travel upstream to the spring, then float back up and repeat. Visitors can also launch canoes and kayaks (available for rent within the park) or take a guided river boat cruise.
Address: 1800 Wekiwa Circle in Apopka
More information: floridastateparks.org or bluespringadventures.com
De Leon Springs State Park
North of DeLand is a scenic oasis reputed to be the fountain of youth once sought by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Although he never actually reached that far inland, the spring is now a place for family and friends to gather for swimming, boat tours, and homemade pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House. Popular restaurants reach capacity quickly, so be sure to arrive early to join the waiting list.
Address: 601 Ponce De Leon Blvd. in De Leon Springs
More information: floridastateparks.org or deleonspringsadventures.com
Hontoon Island State Park
Accessible only by boat, Hontoon Island is more secluded and often less crowded than other outdoor destinations in Central Florida. Visit the 1,650-acre island just a short ferry ride across the St. Johns River. There are 13 miles of trails perfect for biking and hiking. One of the destinations accessible on the trail is a Native American shell midden. Watch for deer, wild turkeys, river otters, bobcats, wading birds, and birds of prey. Admission to the park is always free, not just on Fourth of July weekend.
Address: 2309 River Ridge Road in DeLand (ferry parking lot)
More information: floridastateparks.org or hontoonislandadventures.com
Wekiwa Springs State Park/Rock Springs Run State Preserve
One of Florida’s most popular state parks, Wekiwa Springs attracts more than 434,000 visitors annually. Last year, the park began implementing a day-use reservation system to ensure visitors were admitted before they arrived. Reservations for the weekend of July 3-5 are currently sold out, but last-minute reservations may become available.
Or visit nearby Rock Springs Run State Preserve and enjoy biking, hiking, and horseback riding on 27 miles of trails, including the Historic Ethel Trail, which tells the story of a once-forgotten town. The on-site Rock Springs Guest Ranch welcomes visitors for glamping stays and horseback riding.
Address: 1800 Wekiwa Circle in Apopka or 31515 Wekiva River Road in Sorrento
More information: floridastateparks.org, wekiwaspringsadventures.com, or rockspringsguestranch.com
Lake Louisa State Park
Visit the scenic rolling hills of southern Lake County and discover 4,500 acres of outdoor playgrounds with more than 32 miles of trails, glamping sites, horseback riding, paddling, and more. Take a short 1-2 mile nature walk or join a 10-15 mile hiking loop to explore the park’s 11 different natural communities. Look for gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, and birds of prey.
It may be worth visiting the beaches on the south shore of Lake Luisa during the hot Fourth of July weekend, but beware of alligators when you swim. It is safer to go paddling (available to rent locally) or take a boat ride. Before or after your visit to the state park, stop by the Showcase of Citrus to pick up Old Time Country Store’s orange juice slushies and other Florida-centric foods.
Address: 7305 US Highway 27 in Clermont
More information: floridastateparks.org or lakelouisastatepark.com
Rainbow Springs State Park
Representing the fourth largest spring in Florida, Rainbow Springs produces 490 million gallons of water each day, which drains into the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers. Put on your snorkel gear and swim in the cool headwaters, observing Florida’s fish and plants floating in the sapphire blue waters. You can also try spring runs in tubes, canoes, and kayaks.
This summer, Rainbow Springs has begun implementing a day-use reservation program. The weekend of July 3-5 is currently sold out online, but additional spots may become available. Tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis through a separate entrance.
Address: 19158 SW 81st Place Road in Dunnellon
More information: floridastateparks.org or visitrainbowsprings.com
Silver Springs State Park
The park’s famous glass-bottom boat tours began in the late 1870s, when Flam Jones and Philip Morrell installed glass on the bottom of their rowboats, allowing visitors to overlook the crystal-clear springs without getting wet. On a tour in a modern glass-bottom boat, visitors learn about the movies “Tarzan” and “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” filmed at Silver Springs, the health of the springs and the Florida fauna people may encounter. Chances are you’ll spot crocodiles, native birds and exotic monkeys introduced by jungle boat captains in the 1930s.
The 30-minute tour ($17 per person) stops at several of the major springs that make up the Silver River Headwaters, including the largest and most spectacular Mammoth Spring. We recommend booking tours online in advance, especially during peak tourist times.
While the glass-bottom boat tour is a highlight for many visitors to Silver Springs, the park also offers gift shops, dining, paddling experiences, camping, and hiking.
Address: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Silver Springs
More information: floridastateparks.org or silversprings.com
Lake Griffin State Park
At this 620-acre park north of Leesburg, you can explore the marshes of Lake Griffin with a guide or on your own. The park’s oldest resident is the “mammoth” live oak, estimated to be 300 to 500 years old. A half-mile nature trail that traverses part of the basin’s wetlands takes hikers to a giant oak tree.
Address: 3089 US Highway 441 in Fruitland Park
More information: floridastateparks.org
Kissimmee Lake State Park
This park, about an hour and a half south of Orlando, is a time capsule featuring living history demonstrations from an 1876 cattle camp. Other activities in the park include hiking, camping, glamping, paddling on Lake Kissimmee or Lake Rosalie, horseback riding, and fishing. Visitors can choose from 21 miles of trails where wildlife such as white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats may be spotted.
Address: 14248 Camp Mack Road in Lake Wales
More information: floridastateparks.org or lakekissimmeesp.com
Tomoka State Park
Billed as a “birdwatcher’s paradise,” this natural destination is located along the Halifax River in Ormond Beach and is home to more than 160 species of birds. Hike along a half-mile of nature trail, fish at waterfront destinations (watch out for manatees!), or paddle and explore near the park’s 19 miles of shoreline. Tomoka Outpost is a unique selection of souvenirs, boiled peanuts, and other Florida-centric products.
Address: 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach.
More information: floridastateparks.org
Find @PConnPie on Instagram or email pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date on travel, arts and events by subscribing to our newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
