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
Hillsborough River State Park offers a wilderness experience not far from Tampa
Camping, kayaking, hiking, biking and a humongous swimming pool are the top features of this state park that straddles the Hillsborough River.
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.
2018 Winners of the Florida State Parks Summer Photo Contest
Florida State Park’s “Summer 2018 Photo Contest” received 2,716 entries submitted between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2018.
2019 free days in national & state parks
Budget-minded travelers would be wise to take advantage of free days at national park, especially Everglades National Park, whose entrance fee is going up again in 2019. Here are free days in 2019.
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.
Lake Kissimmee State Park: Where Old Florida lives on
This large state park in a rural, out-of-the-way part of Central Florida, preserves Old Florida cracker history. It offers great hiking trails and camping plus lakes to explore by kayak or canoe. Wildlife, from deer to alligators to sandhill cranes to eagles, is abundant.
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.
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.
