Florida Parks, Forests and Preserves

Parks, Forests & Preserves

An antique train trestle on the Little Manatee River is a good place for a lunch break. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Little Manatee River near Tampa: Great for kayakers, hikers & campers

By Bonnie Gross Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Cabins, Unique Lodging, Parks, Forests & Preserves, Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay

Just 45 minute from Tampa/St. Pete, the beautiful river, state park and region is a natural haven that can keep you busy exploring for days. There’s an outfitter to make trip-planning easy, plus it offers cabins and camping.

Corbett and Dupuis wildlife areas excel for nature hikes, free camping

By Bob Rountree Parks, Forests & Preserves, Camping in Florida, Southeast Florida

Nature hikes, free camping, off-road bicycling, fishing and paddling are fabulous in this pair of magical wildlife areas in the far reaches of Palm Beach County

Cape Florida on Key Biscayne: Top beach, lighthouse & sangria

By Bonnie Gross Beaches in Florida, Historic Florida, Parks, Forests & Preserves, Southeast Florida

This state park is more natural than it has been for decades. Enjoy the terrific beach and tropical hammock, tour the historic lighthouse, dine at restaurants with great views and walk or bike trails.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West hidden gem

By Bonnie Gross Florida Keys, Beaches in Florida, Historic Florida, Parks, Forests & Preserves, Snorkeling

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.

Rhesus monkey at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Kayaking Silver Springs: Exquisite trail for kayaks is highlight of Silver River

By Bonnie Gross Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Florida's Springs, Orlando/Central Florida, Parks, Forests & Preserves

Silver Springs State Park near Ocala lets kayakers launch at the famous springhead and paddle an exquisite waterway where paddlers often see monkeys, manatees and an array of birds and other animals.

Alafia River: Kayaking through tame rapids a half hour from Tampa

By Bonnie Gross Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Parks, Forests & Preserves, Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay

This cypress-lined Alafia river has an unusual feature for Florida: Rocky shoals that create fun rapids to kayak. It’s near hiking trails, springs and a very nice paddling trail at Little Manatee River State Park.

South Florida biking trails: A family biking at Riverbend park in Jupiter.

Riverbend Park in Jupiter: Trails ideal for family biking, kayaking

By Bonnie Gross Bike & Hike, Featured Articles, Historic Florida, Parks, Forests & Preserves, Southeast Florida

Natural beauty makes Riverbend Park in Jupiter a delightful place to explore. Its 10 miles of bike trails are particularly well suited to family bicycle outings. It’s also the site of a historic battleground from the Second Seminole War.

Stop at little known Lake Griffin State Park for a famous tree and more

By Bonnie Gross Camping in Florida, Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Orlando/Central Florida, Parks, Forests & Preserves

A very old, very big live oak tree inspired me to stop at this park near the Villages in Central Florida, and I found it to be a nice place to picnic, paddle and take a short hike.

The Turner River's mangrove tunnels are beautiful -- so full of bromeliads. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Turner River kayak trail: The best in the Everglades

By Bonnie Gross Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Everglades, Parks, Forests & Preserves

I’ve paddled a lot of trails in the Everglades, but so far, the Turner River is my favorite. It goes from pristine cypress swamp, through mangrove tunnels to sawgrass marsh, and it teems with birds, gators and fish. It’s everything the Everglades offers in one trip.

Kayaking past the fishing pier in the lagoon area of Oleta River State Park. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Oleta River State Park feels like island getaway in Miami urban sprawl

By Bob Rountree and Bonnie Gross Parks, Forests & Preserves, Beaches in Florida, Bike & Hike, Cabins, Unique Lodging, Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Trails, Southeast Florida

This Miami state park, 10 minutes from sprawling Aventura Mall, is a remarkable island of green where you can kayak, mountain bike, picnic and enjoy a sandy beach. There are even rustic cabins to rent.