Hiking and Camping in Florida.

A

awad

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Oct 16, 2009
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I have about a month to kill, so me and my girlfriend are driving down to florida and spending a few weeks down there. Does anyone have any recommendations for places where we can camp? i'm looking to spend some time honing some outdoor skills as i live in the middle of a city, so while it's fun to practice building small fires in the middle of the street, i'm looking forward to actually being in nature.

we're driving from philadelphia straight through to the everglades.

thanks!
 
Get a copy or look online at Florida State Parks-that will at least get you started.
 
Take your time getting to the everglades, there is lots to see in FL.

Take a look at Manatee springs state park, I have camped, scuba dived, and snorkeled with manatee there.

If you are a diver, there are tons of spots in the Ocala area.
 
The Osceola National Forest is right off I-75 when you get into Florida.

There are some great trails, and a wonderful wilderness area, Big Gum Swamp.
Maps are online.
 
Ochlocknee River State Park, St. George Island St. Park are both nice if you're looking for actual campgrounds. The island has great beaches and fishing but isn't big to have boonies but is only a bridge and about ten minutes from Tate's Hell which is definitely wild. O river also has a campground but is at the junction of two rivers (forget which the other is) and you can either walk or paddle to plenty of alone. If you are looking for "if you didn't bring it it's not here" camping the Apalachicola National Forrest is huge and untrammeled if you get off the roads a bit (beyond 4WD range). St. Mark's Wildlife refuge is nearby this area ( Big Bend) and the whooping cranes are here for the winter. Wakulla Springs is also here and I recommend the boat ride (where the Weissmuller Tarzan movies were filmed) lots of gators too but they are everywhere but if you luck out the manatees are probably in the Wakulla River somewhere and you can rent a kayak and paddle right up to them.
 
Where in FL are you going? If in North Central Florida, check out Juniper Springs, canoe the run, hike the FL Trail north to Hidden Pond, and camp and fish and swim until you're ready to leave.
 
awad,

I envy you that you a couple of weeks to spend in Florida, as the Everglades is my favorite place.

I would highly recommend Flamingo, in Everglade National Park. This is the area where the Everglades reach to Florida Bay, so you get to explore two environments; they are both outrageous and still very wild. You will be amazed at all the nature and wildlife you will get to see.

The entrance to this section of the park is just west of Florida City. Once you enter the Park your adventure begins as it is totally wild for the next forty? miles or so until you reach the Florida Bay and the town of Flamingo. The only residents, I think, of Flamingo are park employees, oh and plenty of mosquitos. There is a small marina there, a general store/Post office and a rustic lodge.

If you decide to visit the Everglades, I highly recommend that you read a book called "Sea of Grass" by Marjorie Stoneham Douglas. It will give you an overview of this unique wilderness and the history of its inhabitants from the indians to pirates, poachers and settlers. An awesome read.
 
Toucan Oasis said:
The Fakkahatchee strand, near Naples, is the nicest and wildest place in Fl.
It's almost like a real tropical forest.
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup: Can't beat it. If the swamp hike is open, it's well worth doing if you don't mind getting as muddy as you've ever been in your life.

Also, any of the springs in Ocala are worth a stop on your way down to the Glades.

ETA: I'd also suggest the Devil's Millhopper up north of Gainseville for a quick and incredibly interesting lunch time hike. The 10,000 Islands on the western edge of the Glades are also mighty cool. And the Everglades Park is huge, with lots of different activities and access points, so it's definitely advisable to plan out what you want to do ahead of time.
 
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I've only camped a couple of times in the Everglades, but I'll tell you DEET is your friend. Bring plenty of bug juice, you'll need it. Other then the mosquitoes I love this place.
Enjoy,
ilten
 
Skip Flamingo for now. Unless you like the smell of dead fish.
It still hasn't recovered much since the hurricane in ........2004 or 5 ?
The whole southern zone is currently covered with dead fish, due to the cold front.
 
Shots took at St. Petersberg

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