FLORIDA (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Florida residents in Boca Raton and across Palm Beach County will have a no-cost reason to get outside next month.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is offering free day-use admission at Florida State Parks from Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, through Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in recognition of George Washington’s birthday and as commemorations begin for America’s 250th anniversary.
State officials are pitching the weekend as more than a discount. The message is that Florida’s parks double as outdoor classrooms and preserved landscapes tied to early American history, including the Revolutionary period. DEP described the system as a chance to explore “the places where history unfolded,” pointing to barrier islands, riverbanks, forts and frontier-era sites that still exist inside the state park footprint.
“As the nation reflects on 250 years of independence, Florida State Parks invite visitors to experience history not just through exhibits, but through the landscapes themselves,” DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said.
DEP emphasized that Florida’s role in the Revolutionary era is often overlooked, describing the period as complex and noting that British West Florida was sometimes referred to as the “fourteenth colony.” Several present-day state parks, the agency said, preserve sites connected to that era, including places tied to trade, plantations, fortifications, and border tensions.
The parks highlighted by DEP include Big Talbot Island State Park and Fort George Island Cultural State Park, where plantations once produced indigo and Sea Island cotton that the agency said helped support the British cause. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park was cited for a frontier trading post that facilitated commerce between Native Americans and British settlers. Tomoka State Park was described as the site of a British indigo plantation along the Tomoka River.
DEP also pointed to San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, where control of the fort shifted during periods of British rule. In Northeast Florida, officials listed Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park, Amelia Island State Park and Fort Clinch State Park, linking them to smaller military conflicts and border tensions with the neighboring colony of Georgia.
For South Florida residents thinking about a weekend plan, the key detail is what “free” covers and what it does not. The waiver applies to day-use admission only. DEP said two parks are excluded from the free-entry offer: Skyway Fishing Pier State Park and Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.
Even at parks included in the free-admission period, the agency said other charges still apply. That includes overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals handled by park vendors.
DEP framed the initiative as part of a broader push to connect visitors with the state’s historical footprint as the country ramps up to the 250th anniversary milestone. The department is directing visitors to plan visits through FloridaStateParks.org and pointing to America250FL.com for more information tied to Florida’s role in the anniversary commemoration.
Residents who take advantage of the free days can expect parks to range widely in what they offer, from open trails and water access to preserved historic sites tied to settlement, trade and fort control. DEP’s pitch is simple: the history is not just inside displays, it is in the terrain itself, and the state wants people to see it firsthand during a weekend when admission barriers are removed.
Florida State Parks in the Palm Beach County Area
Palm Beach County
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
The county’s only Florida State Park. Located on a barrier island in North Palm Beach, the park offers beach access, nature trails, kayaking, and an estuary preserve.
Nearby Options Commonly Used by Palm Beach County Residents
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Just north of Jupiter in Martin County. Southeast Florida’s largest state park, with river access, hiking, biking, camping, and historic sites. - Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
An urban park between the Intracoastal Waterway and A1A with trails, picnic areas, and beach access. - Dr. Von D. Mizell–Eula Johnson State Park
Waterfront park near Port Everglades offering boating access, fishing, and coastal recreation. - Oleta River State Park
Florida’s largest urban state park, known for mangrove kayaking and mountain bike trails. - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Historic lighthouse site with beaches and coastal trails, popular for day trips from South Florida.
Free admission applies to day-use only during the Feb. 13–16 promotion. Other fees may still apply.
Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection / Florida State Parks announcement (FloridaStateParks.org; America250FL.com)
