Articles and photos about unique Florida state parks, national parks and wildlife refuges, state and national forests, featuring unique opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, RV camping, fishing, paddling, hiking, biking, bicycling and beaches.
Parks & Forests
Fall Camping: As the humidity breaks, get into your groove outdoors
When the weather breaks, Floridians come out of the air conditioning and flock to campgrounds before the snowbird invasion. Our choices for fall camping include four picks on the Florida-Georgia line, four in Central Florida and four more in South Florida.
2018 free days in national & state parks on Sunday, Nov. 11
Florida residents are lucky. No matter where they live in the state, a national park is only a few hours away. National Parks are a bargain, but even more so on “fee free days.” Here’s the list for 2018.
Gamble Rogers: A celebration of song and sea
By doubling the size of its campground, this oceanfront state park in Flagler Beach has expanded its reach — and its appeal.
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5 Things to Do in Ocala National Forest
Encompassing more than 600 square miles in North Central Florida, Ocala National Forest is bursting with adventure. Hike the Florida Trail, camp in the deep woods, spend a lazy day at a cool, bubbling spring, ride the equestrian trails, paddle a spring run, a lake or a river.
Disappearing river and shady campground rise above the norm
O’Leno State Park is a Florida treasure with a scenic campground at the heart of two state parks that will take your breath away. It is here that the Santa Fe River vanishes, only to re-appear 3.5 miles later to meander many paddle-loving miles to its merger with the Suwannee River.
MacArthur Beach State Park: Great for snorkeling, kayaking, beach walks
MacArthur Beach is one of South Florida’s treasures: Nearly two miles of natural, dune-lined beach with rock outcroppings and a reef that makes it a great snorkeling site.
Nine ways ways to find the real Florida — 15 minutes off I-75
You don’t have to drive hours off the interstate to find Florida’s natural beauty and funky history. You can find treasures within 10 minutes of these I-75 exits.
Springs & the Suwannee: Two northwest Florida parks are great bases for exploring
Remote, rural and picturesque, northwest Florida rewards your long drive with sparkling springs, the beautiful Suwanee River and scenic rural roads. Two state parks with cabins and campgrounds make great bases to explore the region.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West hidden gem
What took me so long? Like a lot of visitors, I had overlooked Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on my visits to Key West because it is tucked away out of site. But the historic fort and great beach are worth discovering.
Kayaking Silver Springs: Exquisite trail for kayaks is highlight of Silver River
The new Silver Springs State Park near Ocala gives kayakers their first chance to launch at the famous springhead and paddle an exquisite waterway that has never been open to kayakers before.
