Residence to 114 state parks, Florida is the right vacation spot for the all-season camper. A lot of the state’s parks are on a physique of water, with many positioned proper on the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico or only a quick drive away, permitting you to get pleasure from a tropical paradise whereas tenting.
Florida’s climate and tropical animals could be unpredictable, so this information is meant to make sure you keep protected and maximize your enjoyable within the solar whereas tenting at Florida state parks.
Maintain studying to study what to anticipate whereas tenting in Florida state parks, the best way to keep protected within the parks, what to pack, and the best way to choose the perfect campsite on your Florida state parks tenting journey.
What to Count on When Tenting in Florida State Parks
Florida state parks are residence to among the most idyllic settings in the USA, they usually have nearly each exercise you may think about.
You possibly can count on to expertise hanging pure magnificence and tropical wildlife, an abundance of water actions, wealthy historical past, horseback driving, and loads of enjoyable within the solar.
Many of those parks are near well-liked eating places and different sights, making Florida state parks tenting spots the right websites to sit down again and calm down within the night after you’ve explored a Florida vacationer vacation spot throughout the day.
Most Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. till sunset, three hundred and sixty five days a yr, making Florida the right all-season tenting vacation spot.
Making Reservations for Florida State Parks Tenting
Florida State Park tenting reservations are simple to make as much as eleven months upfront or on the identical day of arrival earlier than 1 p.m. All campsites not reserved, together with cabins, can be found on a first-come-first-serve walk-in foundation.
You need to pay upfront on the time of reservation, and costs are topic to vary with out discover. Study extra about reserving Florida state parks tenting spots, together with the cellphone quantity to name and the hyperlink to make reservations on-line.
Packing for Your Florida State Parks Tenting Journey
You want all the same old tenting necessities when packing for a Florida state parks tenting journey, however bear in mind Florida climate could be unpredictable.
Pack acceptable clothes for warm climate within the hotter months. Word Florida’s common temperatures all year long can fluctuate, with January starting from 40 levels Fahrenheit to the low 70s. In the event you’re touring within the winter months, bear in mind to pack layers.
The summer season months can deliver scorching warmth that may go away you in a showering go well with as a lot as doable. Pack a number of bathing fits, or plan to go to a swimsuit store in Florida.
Bear in mind to be aware of the hurricane forecast, particularly in case your go to is throughout Florida’s hurricane season: June 1 via November 30.
It’s a good suggestion to pack a climate radio in case you lose cellphone service. The FosPower 2000mAh NOAA Emergency Climate Radio is a superb selection as a result of it additionally acts as a photo voltaic charger and flashlight.
Florida State Parks Tenting Actions
Florida state parks embody many facilities and actions for parkgoers and campers. Most parks are pet-friendly. To study which tenting actions can be found at particular state parks, click on on the facilities on the Florida State Parks Experiences and Facilities web page.
Water Actions
Tenting in Florida state parks and never having fun with the numerous water actions appears like against the law! Boating, snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking are just some frequent water actions present in Florida state parks.
Browsing
Strive browsing for the primary time or brush up in your craft at the perfect state parks for browsing: Pressure Pierce Inlet State Park, Gasparilla Island State Park (an island, solely accessible by ferry), or Honeymoon Island State Park (an island, accessible by boat or land bridge).
Fishing
Florida is residence to each freshwater and saltwater fish. One of the best state parks for freshwater fishing are Kissimmee State Park and Ochlockonee River State Park. In the event you want saltwater fishing, head over to Werner-Royce Salt Springs State Park or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Tubing
River tubing is an thrilling journey down Florida’s rivers and is derived. Two of the perfect places for tubing at Florida state parks are Ichetucknee State Park and Rainbow Springs State Park.
Swimming
Be sure you swim solely at swimming-safe seashores, rivers, and lakes throughout your Florida state parks tenting journey. One of the best spots for swimming are on the following Florida state parks:
- De Leon Springs State Park
- Anastasia State Park
- Massive Lagoon State Park
- Troy Springs State Park
- Madison Blue Spring State Park
- Hillsborough River State Park
Sightseeing
Let your eyes be enthralled by the sights Florida state parks have to supply!
Shelling
One of the best spots for shelling are at, no shock, Florida’s island state parks. These parks embody:
- Little Talbot Island State Park (solely accessible by boat)
- Amelia Island State Park (accessible by scenic bridge or ferry)
- Caladesi State Park (solely accessible by boat)
Gardens
Florida’s Ravine Gardens State Park presents the perfect dramatic backyard views, particularly from January to March throughout the azalea season.
Birdwatching
Go to Tomoka State Park or Black River State Park to discover well-liked birdwatching trails, together with over 160 species of feathered pals.
Excursions (Together with Boat Excursions)
Take pleasure in a historic boat tour at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park down the Wakulla Springs. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park additionally has frequent interpretations and ranger-guided strolling excursions.
Lighthouse
Invoice Baggs State Park is legendary for its historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse. Entry to the lighthouse is just out there throughout particular tour instances.
Tenting Experiences
Florida presents quite a lot of conventional and distinctive tenting experiences to state park guests.
RV
Try these Florida state parks for parking your RV:
- Topsail Hill Protect State Park
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Falling Waters State Park
Cabins
In the event you’re on the lookout for a pleasant cabin to remain at throughout your Florida state parks tenting journey, look into considered one of these state parks:
- Lake Louisa State Park
- Mike Roess Gold Head Department State Park
- Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
Primitive Tenting
Florida state parks supply tons of primitive tenting choices. Try a few of these well-liked tent tenting places:
- Myakka State Park
- O’Leno State Park
- Oscar Scherer State Park
Boat Tenting
Six Florida state parks present boat slips with water and electrical energy. Boat campers have entry to all of the park’s facilities, together with restrooms and showers. These parks embody:
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Invoice Baggs Cape Florida State Park (anchor in a single day choice)
- Caladesi Island State Park Island (solely accessible by boat)
- Cayo Costa State Park
- Hontoon Island State Park Island (solely accessible by boat or ferry)
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (anchor in a single day choice)
Glamping
Possibly you’re extra of an upscale camper and like glamping. Florida is the right place for you, then. Try these parks with luxurious glamping choices:
- Lake Louisa State Park
- Topsail Hill Protect State Park
- Lake Kissimmee State Park
- Oleta River State Park
Group Gatherings
Many Florida state parks are additionally well-liked for picnicking, weddings, and household reunions. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West and Wakulla Springs State Park close to Tallahassee are two of probably the most romantic spots to say, “I do” in Florida.
Horseback Driving
In the event you love horses and wish to trip one, you’ll want to go to Lake Louisa State Park and Alafia River State Park. You possibly can deliver your horse, or buy a trip on one from the stables on the parks.
Mountaineering
Among the greatest mountain climbing spots in Florida are at these state parks:
- Little Talbot Island State Park (island, solely accessible by boat)
- Mike Roess Gold Head Department State Park
- Lake Kissimmee State Park
- Little Manatee River State Park
- Estero Bay Protect State Park
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Staying Secure Whereas Tenting in Florida State Park
Solar
Florida solar can harm your pores and skin in as little as fifteen minutes, and UV publicity is the commonest reason for pores and skin most cancers. Don’t forget sunscreen, and keep away from sunscreens with lower than SPF 30. You will have waterproof sunscreen with not less than SPF 50 when spending a complete day within the Florida solar.
Search shade as a lot as doable throughout peak solar hours between midday and 4 p.m. This can be a good time to calm down in your tent or arrange an awning on the seaside to get pleasure from some studying or hen watching.
Put on full-body swim gear to attenuate solar publicity to the pores and skin when browsing or swimming throughout these timeframes.
Burn Bans
Occasionally, Florida will implement burn bans primarily based on the present situations. If you arrive on your Florida State Park tenting journey, verify the standing of the burn bans. Burn bans are enacted on your security, so it’s important to observe these bans.
Throughout burn bans, you can not mild a hearth in a campfire ring or a freestanding hearth pit. You possibly can, nevertheless, deliver a propane grill, a freestanding charcoal grill, or an electrical grill or griddle (in case your campsite has {an electrical} hookup).
Bugs
Bugs, particularly mosquitos, can carry illnesses like chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus. Put on insect repellent when exterior to guard your self. You must put your sunscreen on first, then spray your repellent.
By no means spray repellent below clothes, and all the time observe the directions on the bottle. Put on permethrin-treated clothes and sprays to stop insect bites. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills mosquitoes.
Reptiles
Pay very shut consideration to your environment as a result of Florida’s reptiles could be unpredictable. Yearly the information experiences new unprovoked alligator or crocodile assaults, averaging about eight every year. In addition they report on an astounding 300 venomous snake bites every year.
Crocodiles and Alligators
Crocodiles and alligators reside in each freshwater and saltwater. It’s crucial to take posted indicators warning of their existence critically and to by no means go swimming in areas the place they’re identified to dwell. They’re most harmful throughout the breeding season, from Could till July.
Your camp ought to be arrange not less than 164 ft from the water’s edge, and by no means go away meals unattended that would entice alligators or crocodiles to your campsite. Retailer your meals in tight containers and get rid of your trash far-off out of your campsite.
You must stay calm should you expertise a crocodile or alligator encounter. Splashing or making noise will entice them to you.
If you’re within the water, fastidiously and quietly get out of the water. Swim under the water to keep away from splashing. Do you have to spot a crocodile on land, slowly again as much as a protected distance and name wildlife authorities.
Snakes
Snakes are most energetic in Florida from April to October.
There are 4 species of venomous snakes within the state: the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, the Florida cottonmouth, the japanese coral snake, and the japanese diamondback rattlesnake. Every of those snakes is able to life-threatening bites to people.
Snakes are wonderful at camouflage, so you should watch your step when mountain climbing in Florida state parks. Put on tall, thick boots, which might forestall a snake from making direct contact with you should you by chance strategy one.
Within the occasion you or somebody in your group experiences a snake chunk, get away from the snake as quickly as doable to stop a number of extreme bites and name for emergency assist.
Loosen tight garments to stop discomfort from swelling and hold the chunk space at coronary heart stage and put on a sling to keep away from shifting to restrict blood circulation to stop spreading the venom. Apply a stress bandage to the chunk space.
Deciding on the Greatest Campsite in Florida State Parks
Florida state parks tenting maps are simple to obtain on-line. On the Florida state parks web site, click on Discover a Park. You possibly can seek for a park or flick through every park individually then click on on the park’s web page to study extra info.
Most parks have a Obtain Park Map button on the left sidebar that may open in a PDF while you click on on it. Evaluation every map to search out the perfect websites earlier than you permit on your Florida state parks tenting journey.
Word: Not all Florida state parks have campgrounds, so first verify that tenting is listed as an expertise on the park’s web page. You may as well search by Tenting below the Experiences on the Discover a Park web page.
Evaluation detailed campground maps by clicking on the Make a Reservation button.
Some issues to search for on the maps’ legends:
- Water sources: You wish to keep near water pumps, so you may simply replenish your water provide
- Dumpsters: You wish to keep far-off from dumpsters as a result of these can entice crocodiles and alligators, plus nobody needs to odor trash on a scorching day
- Boat ramps: Some campgrounds have boat launches close to their campgrounds for campers who’ve introduced boats with them to benefit from the Florida waters–if that is you, then keep close to a ship ramp.
Meal Planning Whereas Florida State Parks Tenting
Meal planning is likely one of the most essential components of Florida State Park tenting (or tenting, on the whole). Since many Florida state parks are near main cities and cities, you may simply enterprise out of the campground for a scrumptious restaurant meal or provides for cooking at your campsite.
Try this full tenting meals checklist for planning, packing, and cooking, in addition to our information to low-cost tenting meals.
In the event you’re tenting in Florida state parks throughout a heat interval or a burn ban, you may wish to think about packing a cooler filled with chilly cuts for sandwiches, yogurts, and chilly drinks.
Strive making in a single day oats in your cooler for a yummy chilly breakfast, or hen salad sandwiches for a simple lunch. You could possibly additionally deliver a photo voltaic generator and use a transportable blender to make smoothies.
Further Useful Assets
You possibly can have the perfect Florida state parks tenting expertise by being ready and ensuring the foundations of the parks earlier than you go to. Additionally, know the occasions taking place within the park throughout your travels or plan your journey round a particular occasion to maximise your journey.
Try these useful hyperlinks earlier than you head out on your Florida state parks tenting journey:
Florida State Parks Regularly Requested Questions
Florida State Parks Guidelines and Laws
Make the Most of Your Florida State Parks Tenting Journey!
Tenting at Florida state parks is an pleasing expertise for the camper who likes to benefit from the outside three hundred and sixty five days a yr and doesn’t thoughts touring to take action. You’re all set to begin seeing what Florida state parks tenting has to supply.
In search of extra Florida tenting info? Try 40 of the Greatest Locations to Go Tenting in Florida.
