This large state park offers great hiking and one the best campgrounds in a Florida State Park. It’s in a rural, out-of-the-way part of Central Florida where history comes alive in its 1876 cow camp.
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Mount Dora Bicycle Festival: Oct. 10-11, 2026
The Mount Dora Bicycle Festival attracts thousands for competitive rides over hill and dale. This is your guide to the festival with schedules, a list of nearby campgrounds and links to hotel and vacation home reservations.
Outdoor adventures near Orlando theme parks: See the real Florida when visiting Disney
We know what the big draw is in Orlando, and it’s not nature. But it should be! Even if your destination is a theme park, here are 9 natural experiences and places that are memorable additions to a visit to Central Florida
Jupiter: Discover unspoiled nature near urban centers
With expansive state parks and a national wildlife refuge plus several attractive county and city facilities, Jupiter offers many excellent places to kayak, hike, bike and learn about native wildlife. Within a two hour drive of 6 million people in South Florida, it’s a good getaway for lovers of the outdoors .
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Towering dunes, perfect beach, rare lakes
Topsail Hill State Park preserves 3 miles of pristine beach, magnificent white sand dunes and sparkling coastal lakes. With lots of camping and cabin sites, it’s a gem in the Panhandle. The park is one targeted for development by the state with the addition of a 350-room hotel.
Circle B Bar Reserve: Lakeland preserve with shady trails reopens a favorite trail
Twenty minutes off I-4 between Orlando and Tampa, this little-known wildlife preserve has been called “a free safari.”
Miami Beachwalk offers best oceanfront biking in South Florida
All bicyclists love traffic-free paved paths with great views. In traffic-choked South Florida, the Miami Beachwalk is as good as it gets — a recently completed paved path offering nine miles hugging the beach with views of the Atlantic Ocean and not a single intersection.
Boca Grande: Quaint Old Florida beach town is worth the toll
The historic lighthouse at the tip of this charming Old Florida island has finally reopened after last year’s double-hurricane hit. Boca Grande is a favorite among the rich and famous. It’s beautiful and makes a satisfying daytrip, especially on a bike.
Bulow Plantation Ruins: 5 minutes off I-95 for romantic ruins, picnic & walk
When driving I-95, you can travel five minutes off the highway and find romantic ruins, have a picnic and a walk through the woods in this Flagler County state park. In minutes, you feel like you’re in another world.
Corkscrew Swamp in Naples: Explore exquisite cypress forest via state’s best boardwalk
The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, an Audubon Society preserve, takes you on a hike via boardwalk with good wildlife viewing and exquisite scenery. In summer, you might get a peak at the rare ghost orchid blooming.