Florida

The Buster Island Loop hike is the longest hike in the park at 6.7 miles. It is completely flat and easy hike that goes through a varied landscape. The trail starts from the north side of the parking lot (only one parking area). Follow the blue connector trail a short way to a road. Here you will...

Parking is open and free for all designated spots within the state park.At the end of the parking area, there is a gate with a large brown sign. This sign reads "St. Joseph Peninsula State Park / Wilderness Preserve Access." This is where the trail begins.The trail is easy to follow with yellow m...

The Weeki Wachee River begins its 7.4-mile journey at the world famous Weeki Wachee spring. Named by the Seminole Indians who inhabited the land around the body of water in the early 1800s, Weeki Wachee means “winding river” or “little spring.” One of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs, the und...

This 6.5 mile trailhead is actually located outside the main entrance, just north of the river off of US 301 S.  The park charges a $4 entrance fee and it is recommended that you enter the main park to use restrooms and/or refill water bottles as those facilities are nonexistent at the outside-th...

The adventure begins at the main trailhead and parking area for The Bear-N-Oak hiking trail. Located on the East side of County Rd 35 just north of Baseline and Hwy 326 intersection. Grab everything in the packing list and prepare to enjoy a leisurely hike through some of Central Florida's most b...

There are multiple out-and-back and loop hikes in this wildlife refuge, but the main attraction is the lighthouse along the Gulf Coast. Right next to the lighthouse is a pond where you are guaranteed to see several alligators. If you hike to the end of the levy across from the lighthouse you can ...

Matheson Hammock is a beautiful park in the heart of one of the oldest sections of Miami, just off of Old Culter Road.  This is far off the tourist map which is mostly confined to South Beach. However, it is just 20 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from Downtown.  The park is enjoyed by many...

Starting in the parking, lot you are going to follow the road back to the ranger station and from there you can pick up the Dune Ridge trailhead. Once on the trail you can take a look at the sign with a map and small description of the trail. This hike is very straightforward and it is difficul...

Starting at Fort Maitland Park, free entrance and parking, unload your water transport unto the designated area. Be mindful of other people as this is a popular spot to unload big boats as well as small crafts. In general, it is easy to get out of the bay made by the lake on this particular spot,...

Start at John B Sargeant State Park--they do have a $2 parking fee. There is a canoe rental and shuttle service on site called Canoe Escape. They do have kayaks as well. If you own your own canoe you can pay for the shuttle service to pick you up at the end if you choose not to paddle out and bac...

Bean Point is the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island. It is here where the waters of Tampa Bay and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico collide and is also arguably the best place on the island to view the sunset. Additionally, this stretch of beach front is usually less busy and populated than th...

The Everglades National Park is a superb spot for viewing wading birds and alligators off an easy paved path. There are a number of observation decks along the way, off of the main path. The trail begins at the Visitor Center, following Taylor Slough. The Anhinga Trail is one of the best places ...

If you find yourself near the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg areas, I highly recommend taking a trip out to Clearwater Beach. On Clearwater Beach, you'll find sand softer than anything your feet have ever felt, lots of places to relax, great food, good people-watching, and best of all some of the most...

Go to the Koreshan State Park. The fee is $5 per car + $4 to access the boat ramp. (If you don't have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes from the park or from Estero River Tackle & Canoe Outfitters). Go to the boat ramp. Here you have two options:A. You can go left (west) towards Estero...

Sweeping views of open sky and vast palmetto prairies greet  visitors as they drive along the park drive. Here is one of the last remaining tracts of dry palmetto prairie, an ecosystem unique to Florida. This landscape is home to many rare species of wildlife, including the most endangered bird i...

Paddle 7.5 miles across Florida Bay to Clubhouse Beach, a primitive sand-and-marl beach backed by lime-green coastal prairie and mangrove forests in Everglades National Park. This 15-mile roundtrip is the closest backcountry campsite to Flamingo Marina—rangers recommend it for first-time backcoun...