Several national parks in Florida are hidden treasures. In honor of National Public Lands Day Sept. 26, when national parks are free, here’s a guide to Florida’s national parks, from the famous to the obscure.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Calusa Blueway: Kayak trail with maps, markers so worth exploring
The Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile long paddling trail through the Gulf Coast waters around Fort Myers. It’s not designed to be through-paddled, but it IS designed to be Florida’s best kayak trail. You can get free maps of the various paddling trails sent to you.
Hidden gems: 12 of the best Florida State Parks to discover
We’ve picked 12 Florida State Parks that are off-the-beaten path and less well-known. From the Keys to the Panhandle, explore these fascinating spots. Each averages fewer than 100 visitors a day.
Frank Lloyd Wright buildings make Lakeland campus unique — and beautiful
Florida Southern College in Lakeland has been named one of the 20 most beautiful college campuses in the country. The campus is unique: Nowhere else in the world has more buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Six weekend getaways in Florida when it’s hot hot hot
It’s hot, but that doesn’t mean you have to seal yourself in air conditioning for the summer. You can enjoy the natural and authentic Florida — and stay cool in the process.
Six best towns for kayaking in Florida
If you love kayaking and are planning a getaway, we recommend these six places as the best towns for kayaking in Florida. As we approach a year where travel plans are upended, these small towns will deliver exceptional and authentic experiences.
Favorite secluded, quiet beaches in Florida
It’s easy to find a beach in Florida. It’s harder to find a hidden beach, a beach where you experience a sense of discovery and delicious isolation. Here, however, I share my favorites, discovered over many years.
Florida cabin rentals in state parks: Like camping, but with comfort
One of the best places to enjoy nature is in a cabin in a Florida state park. But the cabins book up fast, so now is the time to make reservations for the winter. Our guide explains which parks have cabins, what they offer and what they cost. Of the 21 parks in Florida with cabins, we’ve stayed in 13 of them.
Local color: Lake Placid Caladium Festival, July 23 to 25, 2021, is about a vivid plant
This small town festival celebrates a uniquely Lake Placid product: caladiums, a colorful plant grown commercially almost nowhere else. There’ll be music, food, a car show, arts and crafts plus bus tours of the caladium fields.
Paddle Florida: 2020-21 kayak trips explore Florida’s top waterways
Paddle Florida is a non-profit that organizes a few paddling trips each year on Florida’s greatest waterways. Limited in size and carefully researched, these trips are great for solo paddlers or folks who appreciate a little support in undertaking a several day paddling and camping trip.
![](https://www.floridarambler.com/wp-content/uploads/Vote411-election-info-1.jpg")
