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

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!

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.