If you’re tired of the noise and crowds of the typical tourist stops, get away from the busy amusement parks and metropolitan areas and pitch your tent in one of Florida’s many peaceful and serene camping areas.
National Parks
Florida has three national forests: Ocala National Forest in central Florida, Osceola National Forest in northern Florida and Apalachicola National Forest in the panhandle. Combined, these three parks cover more than 1.2 million acres. Catch glimpses of wild Spanish horses and endangered Florida black bears, or wander through untouched stands of pine and cypress while camping, hiking, canoeing or kayaking at any one of these parks. All three of Florida’s national forests provide a variety of camping experiences from primitive sites to full hook-up RV areas to rustic cabins available all year long.
State Parks
Florida has 160 state parks that provide a variety of camping and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails wind through such diverse ecosystems as salt marshes, preserved prairies, coastal hammocks, sparkling springs and white sandy beaches. Water activities are just as varied, with boating, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and salt water fishing available along the coasts, plus canoeing, kayaking, boating and freshwater fishing in the interior. Campers can choose from primitive tent camping sites, full hook-up RV areas, beach sites and cabins set in a variety of preserved landscapes.
Backpacking
For a true wilderness experience, Florida offers several backcountry camping opportunities. The Florida Trail stretches 1,400 miles across the state, starting from the Everglades, continuing around Lake Okeechobee and moving northward through the panhandle to the Florida/Georgia border. Backpackers can camp in designated areas all along the trail or in one of the many state parks the trail crosses. The 170-mile Suwannee Wilderness Trail in north Florida provides backpackers with primitive, screened-in river camps. The Canaveral National Seashore, a barrier island off of Florida’s east coast, offers backpacking through preserved flatwoods and coastal hammocks with walk-in camping available in designated areas.
Wildlife
Be sure to pack those field guides, binoculars and cameras to observe, identify and capture on film Florida’s distinct and varied wildlife. American alligators, endangered Florida black bears and panthers, herds of wild Spanish horses, flocks of sea birds and forest birds are just a few of the species living in Florida’s parks and forests.
Things to Do
While camping in Florida, take advantage of a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Most coastal parks and campgrounds offer swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, salt water fishing and boating activities. Parks on Florida’s interior provide water trails for canoeing and kayaking as well as land trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Don’t miss out on tubing down Florida’s many crystal clear springs or fishing for bass and catfish in Florida’s waterways.
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