Getaways to the authentic Florida
Stories about Florida trails, hiking trails, bicycle trails, rail trails, walking trails, equestrian trails, off-road vehicle trails, nature trails, mountain biking trails, boardwalk trails.
Gold Head Branch State Park has long been on my radar, a small dot on the map with a curious name in the middle of nowhere — yet close enough to Gainesville to be a camping option on game weekends. (We found dozens of campsite and cabin openings for every game this year.)
One of the best ways to see Florida’s Everglades is via the Tamiami Trail to the Shark Valley entrance, home to a terrific bike trail and abundant wildlife. Visitors have been reporting outstanding wildlife viewing during holiday visits.
This state park holds a special place in my heart. In urban South Florida, it preserves a sliver of the natural splendor once all around. There’s a lot to do here: beach, biking, shaded picnics, Intracoastal views. When visiting, a perfect day includes a stop to nearby Bonnet House.
This Miami state park is a remarkable island of green where you can kayak, mountain bike, picnic and enjoy a sandy beach. It’s the largest urban park in Florida.
In Dunedin, we love bicycling the Pinellas Trail, but this charming Tampa Bay area town has more to offer, with eight breweries plus great restaurants and coffee shops in its walkable historic downtown. Twenty minutes away are two excellent state parks with award-winning beaches. Plus it’s a great place to catch a Spring Training game.
Ravine Gardens State Park in spring is a spectacular sight as azaleas and other flowers bloom. The park has a fascinating history & beautiful trails.
Hontoon Island State Park is a big wild park surrounded by the St. Johns River and reachable only by boat. A free ferry operates daily. The park recently reopened its campground and rustic cabins.
Next time you travel Florida’s Gulf Coast on I-75, take a five minutes detour in Fort Myers to discover a magnificent slice of old Florida – a 1.2 mile boardwalk through an unspoiled cypress swamp called Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. It’s free!
Princess Place Preserve in Flagler County is a big, scenic park with miles of hiking, excellent tent camping, affordable cabins and a historic buiding with an intriguing story. It’s an off-the-beaten-path discovery for your Florida adventure
Bulow Creek State Park is a lovely discovery. Just 10 minutes off I-95, it’s great for a quick picnic and to gaze at the grand old Fairchild Oak. Or you can spend the day and take a hike or scenic drive.
Colt Creek State Park is a former cattle ranch tucked into a corner of the massive Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve near Lakeland with camping, hiking, fishing, bicycle trails and an equestrian campground.
The 22-mile-long West Orange Trail stands out as an appealing bike trail, as it winds along Lake Apopka west of Orlando. This smooth paved trail gets it right, with scenery and excellent amenities.