The first National Wildlife Refuge, Pelican Island, is a good place near Vero Beach to see wildlife, learn a little history and immerse in the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon.
Tag: hiking
A backpacker’s dream: Dispersed camping in Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest covers more than 600 square miles of Central Florida, and all of it is open to dispersed, primitive camping.
Favorite boardwalk reopens at Fakahatchee Strand near Everglades City
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, near Everglades City, is the biggest state park in Florida. After three years, the preserve’s Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk has fully reopened after hurricane destruction. Now you have take a 2.3 mile boardwalk hike and pass through a rare original slice of ancient cypress forest.
Gold Head Branch State Park: Unsung treasure with cabins, camping
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.)
Camping Guide to Ocala National Forest
The weather is getting better, and campgrounds in Ocala National Forest remain open during the government shutdown. Our camping guide takes you to places you never knew.
Alligator Alley: ‘Boring’ road can be a gateway to Everglades experiences
Crossing the state on Alligator Alley? Here are tips on a how to spend 15 minutes, a half hour or a half day exploring the Everglades from I-75. This mile marker guide helps you decide where to stop and what to do along the way.
Lovers Key State Park bounces bounces with beach, trails and visitor center ready for visitors
Lovers Key State Park is a treasure in Fort Myers Beach. You can kayak a mangrove-lined trail and stroll an unspoiled 2.5 mile beach. The park has recovered from Hurricane Milton and its devastating storm surge a year ago.
Our favorite Florida bike trails: 23 of the best
Florida bike trails offer great scenery and local flavor. Here are 23 great bike trails we’ve tried and recommend all over the state.
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.
Explore the Talbot Islands for camping, kayaking, hiking, beaches
The Talbot Islands harbor an awesome collection of state parks and wildlife preserves south of Amelia Island with striking beaches, historic forts and plantations, backcountry kayaking, off-road trails and camping.