Even people who live in Florida get it wrong. They think Florida is all shopping malls and theme parks; its beaches are all commercial and crowded; it’s flat, boring and lacks history. People say: Too bad I live in Florida, I love the outdoors and there’s no place to hike. All wrong.

The ubiquitous Walmart parking lot is good for an overnight on the road, and I have to admit to a pleasant experience at one 24-hour Walmart. Savvy RVers call it “Wallydocking.”

Tent camping in Florida has special needs. Here’s our “hot” list of a few basic preparations unique to Florida.

There’s not much going on in Lake George State Forest, making it an ideal getaway for a few days of solitude along the St. John’s River.

Camp Venice is a tree-shaded, privately owned campground nestled in oak hammocks on the banks of the Myakka River.

The rare and endangered Florida panther makes its home in the wilds of the western Everglades and the Big Cypress Swamp, much of the area preserved in protected state and federal lands accessible to hikers.

Spring is the best time of year for tent camping in Florida. Campgrounds are emptying out as snowbirds flock home, and the weather is fantastic. Break out the gear and head for the woods!

The iconic blimp that has hovered over the Lower Keys for more than 30 years is being grounded on March 15, the apparent victim of Pentagon budget cuts.

EVERGLADES CITY — Whitewater paddling in the Everglades? Well, almost. The tides move in and out of the Ten Thousand Islands so quickly, the water rushes and ripples through the passes, so you need to catch the current going in the right direction if you want to make headway.

If pitching a tent on a tropical island is your thing, then add Anclote Key to your bucket list. Anclote Key Preserve State Park is in the Gulf of Mexico, three miles west of Tarpon Springs over open water, and it is accessible only by boat.

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Southport Raw Bar is a favorite of locals, and you’ll love it, too. The water view down a canal filled with sailboats is awesome, and the seafood is fresh and tasty. This well-known, yet hidden, eatery is filled exudes ‘Old Florida’ ambience. A great place to wile away an afternoon, or take a friend to dinner.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — A quaint Old Florida beach town is the setting for this elegant Spanish-style bed and breakfast overlooking the Indian River on Florida’s east-central Atlantic Coast.

Exploring Florida sometimes requires more than just a sense of adventure and the time to travel. These guides are essential tools to help you find paddling and hiking trails, campgrounds and where to experience the authentic Florida.

EVERGLADES CITY — One of my favorite Florida getaways is to boat out to the outer islands and camp for a weekend on a remote, pristine beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico.

After crossing the state line, you likely have many miles to your RV’s winter haven. Take a breather and lay over a night or two in one of these scenic state parks along the I-95 and I-75 corridors.

Here’s an interesting stop far off the beaten path: The Jacaranda Hotel opened in 1926 and has been providing comfy rooms and good food ever since. It’s located in the historic district of Avon Park, a little town in the middle of the state’s cattle and orange-grove country.

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks with three main campgrounds, backcountry campsites, endless hiking and biking trails, kayaking and canoeing, and, oh, the wildlife.

This isolated cluster of islands 70 miles west of Key West is accessible only by boat or seaplane. But treasures await you, especially if you camp over for a few nights. Yes, you can camp here! Snorkeling and kayaking, too!

The charming Riverview Hotel accommodates guests at the gateway to New Smyrna Beach’s arts and entertainment district, a half-mile strip of historic homes, quaint galleries and friendly pubs leading to one of Florida’s most popular beaches.

Fort Lauderdale’s Rustic Inn is a classic. Their “world famous garlic crabs” draw hundreds of people every night to this old Florida restaurant, tucked away on Ravenswood Road, just west of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. You’ll find it from the sound of wooden mallets pounding on the table every few minutes.

This public park is spread over 900 acres on five interconnected islands with seven miles of waterfront, including three miles of award-winning beaches .Nearly half of the 233 campsites in the campground are waterfront, allowing you to launch your kayak or canoe from your site.

Boat camping is a great way to scoot away from civilization to some wild and remote places.

Howley’s Diner has been there for 60 years. It’s not just retro, this West Palm Beach diner is the real deal — from its terrazzo floors to its tin ceiling.

This old-growth forest with 1,000-year-old trees is closely guarded because it is next to an FPL plant. Free tours are no longer offered of this 1.1 mile boardwalk in Martin County