Florida brings millions of tourists each year. Some visit the theme parks in Central Florida, others visit the beaches on either coast. And for the purists, many campgrounds literally dot the state landscape. Here you can find the prettiest and some of the most unique campgrounds in the nation.
Dry Tortugas National Park Key West
Dry Tortugas National Park is named for the abundance of sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches. Seventy miles west of Key West the campground is literally surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico. The campground is in the center of historic Fort Jackson, now being restored to its original form from the late 1800s. Access to the island is limited to ferry boats and a small strip of land, so this is the ideal site for the primitive camping enthusiast. Here, you can fish, tour the fort, watch the sea turtles or just enjoy the swift sea breezes blowing across this gem of a find. Book your stay well in advance as there is a cut off limit and sometimes the restoration of the Fort will force a closure of a portion of the park.
Long Key Campgrounds
Working our way slightly north on the Overseas Highway, you come to Long Key. From Long Key campers can scuba dive, snorkel or swim in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. One of the popular activities in the keys is the sunset kayaking tours, guided by local experts on the area. The Long Key nature trails are exceptional. And even in the very center of the deepest part of the pine and cypress trees, you can hear the distant rumbling of the ocean. Unless you have experienced the peace of drifting off to sleep to the sounds of surf, it's something you just have to try. One clear advantage to camping on the Keys is a significant reduction in the population of mosquitoes that just can't seem to handle the coastal winds.
Everglades National Park, Miami
Still traveling a little bit north and then west, we come to the Everglades National Park. It is the largest national park in the U.S. and is an experience in and of itself. A fair warning to all campers, while this is the ideal park for camping from November through February, once spring hits and through summer, the park belongs to the mosquitos. For those who desire to get close to the wild side of nature, pile into the eco-friendly airboats to get an up close look at the alligators, deer, bears and other critters that call the Everglades home.
Sebastian Inlet State Park Melbourne Beach
A little bit further north on Highway A1A is the Sebastian Inlet State Park. A camping trip here combines two completely different hobbies as Sebastian Inlet boasts some of the finest surfing in Florida. One caution, this camp is geared more for tent camping than RV camping, simply due to the size of the roads in and out of the place. As with the other sites, fishing, boating and snorkeling are popular. With the added thrill of surfing however, it lends new meaning to camping activities. When the physical activities get too strenuous; check out the McLarty Treasure Museum.
Fort Wilderness Orlando
In mentioning the best tourist campgrounds in Florida, Fort Wilderness at Disney World in Orlando has to rank in the top five. Accommodations exist for RVs, tents, camper trailers, and for the camper at heart with no gear, the cozy cabins on site. The amenities are modern with hook-ups for cable and Internet in addition to water, power and sewer. The wildlife you will see is not animatronic Disney Magic. Explorers will discover deer, alligators and an occasional bear. A basic grill is set up for each area, so you can cook your own food. You can charter a boat and see a part of Disney most guests never see.
Member Comments