2026 Florida Bucket List: 10 Wild Places to Visit in the Sunshine State
Let’s make 2026 the year of discovering the beauty of Wild Florida! After exploring the state from the Panhandle to the Keys, these are the ten beautiful places I think are worth checking off your Florida bucket list.
#1: St Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge spans nearly 90,000 acres across Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor counties, and it’s breathtaking from the moment you arrive. A simple way to experience it is to drive out to the historic St. Marks Lighthouse. The route is scenic, and once you’re there, you can walk the shoreline for peaceful views of Apalachee Bay.
#2: Ichetucknee Springs State Park
The Ichetucknee River is one of Florida’s most stunning spring-fed rivers. Park at the south entrance of Ichetucknee Springs State Park, and take the shuttle upstream to the kayak launch. From there, float downriver through crystal-clear water while watching for wildlife. This stretch is paddlers-only, but tubing is also available farther downstream.
#3: Dry Tortugas National Park
About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote parks in the U.S. The park covers 100 square miles and includes seven islands, with Garden Key and historic Fort Jefferson being the main draw. If you don’t have your own boat, the only way to get there is by seaplane through Key West Seaplane Adventures or the Yankee Freedom Ferry. Book early, especially if you’re hoping for the seaplane, and prepare for a little sticker shock!
#4: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Yes, there are wild horses and bison in Florida! Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park covers more than 20,000 acres, so sightings aren’t guaranteed, but your best chance is from the main entrance’s observation tower, which overlooks the prairie. You can also hike the Bolen Bluff Trail (north of the main entrance) to walk the prairie to get to a smaller lookout point.
#5: Flamingo, Everglades National Park
Flamingo, known as America’s “Crocodile Capital,” is a remote corner of Everglades National Park and one of the best places to see crocodiles in the wild. Plan to stay overnight so you can enjoy kayaking, boat tours, hiking, and biking without rushing. Lodging ranges from houseboats and glamping tents to the new Flamingo Lodge, which has elevated rooms built from shipping containers.
#6: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Just northeast of Naples, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary feels like stepping into another world. A 2+ mile boardwalk winds through six native habitats, including Pine Flatwoods, Wet Prairie, and Lettuce Lakes. Take your time listening for birds, watching for alligators, and just soaking up the stillness is part of the experience. If you can, walk the loop twice; the boardwalk feels different each time.
#7: Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs is famous for glass-bottom boats, crystal-clear water, and its wildlife. Manatees, otters, alligators, and wading birds are common sightings, but what surprises most visitors are the Rhesus macaque monkeys. They were introduced in the 1930s and still live in the surrounding forest. Enjoy seeing them from a distance, but don’t approach or feed them.
#8: Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs, south of Tallahassee, is home to one of the largest freshwater springs in the world, plus a 1930s historic lodge that feels like stepping back in time. Cool off with a jump from the 22-foot platform, or take the narrated river cruise to learn about the area’s history and keep an eye out for manatees, alligators, and birdlife.
#9: Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island State Park
Boneyard Beach is one of the most unusual shorelines in Florida. A short trail leads to a beach filled with massive driftwood trees and 30-foot bluffs shaped by erosion. It’s incredibly photogenic and feels unlike anywhere else in the state. Check the tide chart before you go, and if you’re heading north on A1A, the access point is on the right just before crossing Sawpit Creek.
#10: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a remote, wide-open landscape with great wildlife viewing and some of the best stargazing in Florida thanks to its Dark Sky designation. Keep an eye out for the crested caracara, explore the trails, and stay overnight in a campsite or glamping tent to experience the night sky at its best. It absolutely deserves a spot on your 2026 Florida bucket list.
