Released by the Florida Parks Department
Many of us have childhood memories of family road trips. On a recent drive around Florida to visit state parks, a colleague and I reflected on his road trip experiences. He remembered the anticipation of packing up and the long hours of looking out the window of the family car.
He said many of his trips were to state parks. Our drive brought back the thrill he felt finally arriving at the park gates of Wakulla Springs, Anastasia, or Topsail Hill Preserve. We agreed that one of the best things about parks is how they bring back that childhood sense of wonder and excitement.
This time of the year is my favorite because we spend it together with friends and family. We give gifts, show appreciation and enjoy each other’s company. Florida State Parks are open 365 days a year, making them a great place to start a new holiday tradition, connect with people and explore beautiful landscapes. What better gift than a trip to a state park?
Learn more about Florida State Parks
Winter is Prime Time for Camping in Florida
Camping under the pines at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Whether roasting s’mores around a warm campfire or enjoying piping hot coffee after a morning hike, Florida’s mild winter makes for the best camping in the country. We’ve compiled a list to highlight Florida State Park campgrounds that offer stunning views and a wealth of activities to enjoy with the family. A weekend in the woods can bring a family closer together, with opportunities to discover Florida’s unique wildlife, explore scenic forests or simply sit around the campfire swapping stories.
Northeast Florida
On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, near the historic city of St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park is home to a beautiful forest campground within walking distance of the ocean. Anastasia’s Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library for young campers offers picture books about the sights and sounds found in the park’s beautiful dunes and coastal forests. Ask how to check out a book at the ranger station!
Northwest Florida
At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, campers can stay in spacious tent and RV sites or reserve a rustic cabin for a weekend getaway. Geocaching is a terrific way for kids of all ages to experience adventure in the park’s maritime hammocks and coastal dune lakes. Sign up for free and you’ll receive clues to the location of hidden caches and can complete the tour to win your geocoin.
Southwest Florida
Myakka River State Park protects one of the state’s most diverse natural areas, a vast prairie wetland dotted with swamps, forests and lakes. RV and tent campsites, as well as historic palm log cabins are available to rent. In winter, dryer conditions make many of the park’s wetland trails accessible — opening untouched wilderness for exploration. Visitors will be amazed by the park’s canopy boardwalk and observation tower, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the sunrise, a memorable and exclusive experience that campers can enjoy before the park opens.
Southeast Florida
Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River, the Loxahatchee, runs through Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The park has two campgrounds, and a multi-day stay is recommended for fully experiencing this vast park. The Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center tells the story of the park’s natural and cultural resources, and family programs are offered every Saturday at 10 a.m. After learning about the park, families can make the trek up Hobe Mountain Observation Deck for expansive views of scrubland, ocean and the intracoastal waterway.
Camping at Florida State Parks is fun and easy, and is one of the best ways to connect with nature and wildlife. From primitive camping to full-service RV facilities, Florida State Parks offer something for every modern-day “tin can tourist.”
Find your next camping adventure at a Florida State Park
Opting Outside Can Make You Healthier
Walking, running or just relaxing outdoors can improve mental and physical well-being.
On Friday, Nov. 23, thousands of people in Florida and across the country chose to forgo Black Friday shopping and reconnect with nature as part of outdoor retailer REI’s Opt Outside movement. At Florida State Parks, we want to carry on the message of the Opt Outside movement, and recognize how parks can make us healthier all year round.
Jessica Zamudio, a Latino Outdoors outings leader and Florida Conservation Corps outreach volunteer, led an Opt Outside group hike at Wekiwa Springs State Park.
“We trekked through sandhill uplands, live oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, spotting birds and lubber grasshoppers along the way,” Zamudio said. “We ended the hike with a quick dip in the cool, clear waters of Wekiwa’s head spring. There was a very calm energy with our group that day.”
Research has shown that spending time outdoors and in parks has great potential to improve mental and physical well-being.
“In a world that values overworking ourselves, it’s important to slow down and place more value on activities which keep us healthy,” Zamudio said. “We can make small changes in our daily lives that will ultimately have a greater impact on our health and well-being.”
Walking in nature can improve short-term memory, and, in one study, students who spent just two nights camping had lower levels of stress hormones. Even a quick daily walk outdoors can reduce depression, anxiety and inflammation. Other studies have found that spending time outdoors was associated with lower blood pressure.
Paul Rebmann, a nature photographer and Florida Master Naturalist, goes camping with his family every Thanksgiving. He says discovering wildlife in Florida’s state parks always brightens his day.
“Short easy nature trails in many parks allow almost anyone to enjoy and come face to face with nature, whether they are camping or just making a day trip to their local state park,” Rebmann said. “Simply walking around outside can give a person rewarding sightings of a variety of plants and animals.”
Opt Outside isn’t just about getting outdoors on Black Friday. It’s a lifestyle and a mindset. It’s about choosing to spend more time outside all year long and recognizing how being outdoors can benefit your health and well-being. You can use the #OptOutsideFL and #FLStateParks hashtags to share the healthy activities you enjoy in Florida State Parks.