National Parks Near Tampa You Can Visit For Free In 2024

National parks near Tampa you can visit for free in 2024.  It’s never too early to start planning for a 2024 vacation or weekend getaway. If you’re looking for something different rather then going to an expensive theme parks or tourist destinations, ,why not visit a national park. We have a bunch of beautiful parks right here in the Tampa area.   And in 2024 there are 6 days you can visit them for free.

There are more then 400 national parks in the United States.  Whether you want to go hiking in the Badlands, walking through the forests in Wyoming or see the mountains in Colorado, check out some of the best National parks.  Only about 100 of the national parks actually charge a fee.  However, the National Park Service just announced six fee-free days at our national parks 2024.

In 2024, there will be 6 days when they can visit the national parks for free.  You won’t need to pay an entrance fee or have an annual pass to get in on these special days throughout the year. However, you will have to pay for any special amenities, camping fees, boat launch fees, transportation, special tours or other activities.

Here are a few parks you can visit in the Tampa area:

Hillsborough River State Park

Lettuce Lake Park

Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Phillippe Park

Caladesi Island State Park

Weedon Island Preserve

Egmont Key

Honeymoon Island State Park

See the FULL List HERE

National parks are open 365 days a year, and at least one national park exists in every state of the country. Every major metropolitan area has one, too.

Entrance fees typically range from $10-$35. Or, you can choose the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreations Lands Pass for $80. This pass is issued to one person and covers up to three other people ages 16 and older. Children 15 and under are admitted at no cost.  Veterans and Gold Star families can get a free lifetime pass to the national parks.

A list of the best beaches in the U.S. has come out and there is a Tampa Bay beach in the Top 5. This comes from Dr. Beach, who picks the best beaches in the country. Dr. Beach's real name is Stephen Leatherman. He is a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University. This is the 33rd year he’s rated the best of America’s 650 public beaches.

So, how does Dr. Beach come up with his list? He ranks the beaches based on 50 criteria. There is a focus on safety and cleanliness, whether lifeguards are present, level of development, and crowding. He also gives bonus points for beaches that ban smoking.

Since Dr. Beach lives in Florida he knows there are many great beaches in our beautiful state. Only two beaches in Florida made the Top 10 and both of them are in the Top 5. One Florida beach is the #1 overall beach and that is St. George Island in the Florida panhandle. The other Florida beach is right here in the Tampa Bay area and that is Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin/Clearwater. Caladesi comes in at #4 on the list.

Below is the list of Top 10 best beaches in the U.S.

Located just south of Apalachicola in the Florida panhandle. Dr. Beach says that this is the #1 beach in the U.S.

This beach is located on west end of Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu. Diamondhead volcano is also near this beach.

Located on Long Island. Dr. Beach says of the beach, "The beach is backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with large and extravagant mansions."

Tampa Bay's very own Caladesi is the #4 beach in the U.S. Dr. Beach says about the beach, "The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters."

Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Hatteras Island. Lighthouse Beach comes in at #5.

Coronado Beach comes in at #6. The beach is almost 2 miles long It has United States' Naval Base beaches on both sides of it.

Wailea means “the water of Lea”, who is the goddess of canoe makers. The water is clear, so you will see people snorkeling ion the waters.

Located southwest of of Charleston, South Carolina. Beachwalker Park comes in at #8 on Dr. Beach's list. I hope it is called Beachwalker because a lot of people love to walk the beach.

Located on the southern end of the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. There are underwater sea caverns and coral reefs for snorkeling. The sand is ideal for sunbathing as well.

Located on the eastern edge of Cape Cod. Comes in #10 on the list.