One of the great things about living in Orlando is that with a full tank of gas and a couple days off, we can experience some of the best state parks in the country. Here are just a handful of our favorite weekend camping trips every Orlandoan should experience.
Anastasia State Park
300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, Fla. 32080 | 904-461-2033
Anastasia State Park is home to the Coquina Quarry– a rock formation begging to have you climb all over it. With a vast 1,600 acre ecosystem, this state park is the perfect camping ground if you need to get away from everything and clear your head.
Photo via jaredhamilton23 on InstagramFaver-Dykes State Park
400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, Fla. 32712 | 407-254-1902
For those of you nature enthusiasts, Faver-Dykes is home to all kinds of wildlife. Snag some great shots of an eagle soaring through the skies or marvel at a bobcat (while you hide your ass in the bushes). When you’re tuckered out, get some rest in their full-facility campground.
Photo via photo_gypsy_ on InstagramFlorida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, Fla. 32446 | 850-482-1228
One of Florida’s only state parks with dry caves features some elaborate limestone formations and rock draperies. Considering Florida rests at sea-level, there aren’t many other places to go cave exploring, so consider this state park a diamond in the rough. And if you need a breath of fresh air after caving, check out their New Deal-era golf course.
Photo via focusedviews on InstagramSebastian Inlet State Park
9700 South Highway A.1.A., Melbourne Beach, Fla. 32951 | 321-984-4852
Head on over to Florida’s finest saltwater camping grounds where you can catch yourself something delicious for dinner. Barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it– you call the shots in the wilderness.
Photo via jeanmariebiele on InstagramKelly Park
400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, Fla. 32712 | 407-254-1902
You don’t need to go broke to enjoy a lazy river (damn you, Aquatica). Kelly Park’s free-flowing natural spring is the perfect pathway to Chillville, so grab some buds and some tubes– it’s time to relax.
Photo via chamberusa on InstagramGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach, Fla. 32136 | 386-517-2086
Camp out by the Atlantic Ocean or squat by the Intercoastal Waterway at Gamble Rogers, the ideal beach getaway to check out shore birds during low tide. With the waterway on one side and the ocean on the other, this recreation area is perfect place for boating fun.
Photo via floridastateparks.orgRainbow Springs State Park
19158 South West 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, Fla. 34432 | 352-465-8555
Visitors of Rainbow Springs are guaranteed to marvel when they see just how colorful the leaves are here. According to archaeologists, this spring has been in use for 10,000 years. Maybe an ancient alien has camped here!
Photo via imogenmireille on InstagramMoss Park
12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando, Fla. 32832 | 407-254-6840
Gather the kids and hop in the RV for a time to remember at Moss Park. Take in the scenery with a hike or glide down the river on a canoe. Moss Park is also great for deer-watching!
Photo via arthur_r_love on InstagramDe Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs, Fla. 32130 | 386-985-4212
Make your way through the paddleboarding trail and you’ll be rewarded with 22,000 acres of marshes, creeks and lakes populated with some of Florida’s most unique wildlife, like the hummingbird. Park the gang under a massive live oak and have yourselves a feel-good time around a campfire at De Leon Springs.
Photo via brianh8357 on InstagramLake Griffin State Park
3089 U.S. Highway 441-27, Fruitland Park, Fla. 34731 | 352-360-6760
Take a peek at one of the largest and oldest Live Oaks that Florida houses at Lake Griffin when you’re not too busy fishing for largemouth bass or navigating through the Dead River Marsh. Pack your favorite snacks for a picnic and gander at all the wildlife populating this unique state park.
Photo via clairenlovell on InstagramSuwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path, Live Oak, Fla. 32060 | 386-362-2746
If you were wondering where “real Florida” was hiding, here it is. The Suwannee takes you through Florida’s history with its river trail that travels past antiquated cabins isolated in the Florida wilderness.
Photo via courtneyhitson on InstagramLake Louisa State Park
7305 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, Fla. 34714 | 352-394-3969
Drop the smartphone and embrace the inner beauty of nature. Lake Louisa has a bunch of friends like the white-tail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, raccoon, gopher tortoise, osprey and they can’t wait to make your acquaintance. With a chain of 13 lakes, this state park is the ideal location for all your water activities.
Photo via easyfkntiger on InstagramTomoka State Park
2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach, Fla. 32174 | 386-676-4050
Guide your canoe through the river to catch a glimpse of an exotic bird– of which there are 160 species at Tomoka. Camp primitively or plant yourselves closer to the park shop where there’s a concession stand and playground.
Photo via Jean Marie on InstagramKissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
33104 NW 192nd Ave., Okeechobee, Fla. 34972 | 863-462-5360
Ride your bike or hike down the 100 mile path to explore the remote prairie’s or lay the day away in a shady hammock. Birdwatchers unite! Endangered species such as the Grasshopper Sparrow and Burrowing Owl call the Kissimmee Prairie their home.
Photo via jklein561 on InstagramWekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, Fla. 32712 | 407-884-2009
Canoe your way to the cool springs where you can swim the day away with your friends and family. While you make it to the springs you’re likely to catch a glimpse of turtles, alligators, and woodpeckers. If you’re looking to kick it Revenant style, you can even camp with horses here.
Photo via Katy Warner on InstagramFort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, Fla. 33715 | 727-582-2267
Remember all those music videos you used to watch that showed people having fun around a campfire on the beach? That could be your reality if you choose to camp at Fort De Soto Park. With palm trees every which way, you get the beach feel with the seclusion of camp life.
Photo via ptilb on InstagramBlue Springs State Park
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, Fla. 32763 | 386-775-3663
Florida’s cutest sea mammal, the manatee, gathers by the hundreds at Blue Springs. You might not be able to swim our aquatic friends, but when you’re taking a break from scuba diving in the crystal clear springs, be sure to go to the overlooks to catch a glimpse of an endangered manatee.
Photo via samimerthe on InstagramSilver Springs State State
1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala, Fla. 34470 | 352-236-7148
Launch yourself off the algae rocks and splash into the warm spring waters at Silver Springs State Park, a favorite recreation destination among Floridians. With all the amenities and activities like kayaking, geo-seeking and picnicking, Silver Springs is kind of like the theme park of Florida state parks.
Photo via waanng on InstagramPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy, Fla. 32667 | 352-466-3397
Wake up with the sun to the sound of nothing (which is probably why you went camping in the first place) and go for a hike down one of Paynes Prairie’s eight trails. With such little civilization nearby, this is a great place to look up and gaze at the stars.
Photo via wiilykherr on InstagramBulow Creek State Park
3351 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach, Fla. 32174 | 386-676-4050
Hop in a boat and catch yourself a whole bunch of blue crabs for dinner at Bulow Creek. Take a walk down the Bulow Woods Trail which guides campers to the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. The plantation burned down during the Second Seminole War in 1836.
Photo via 2b_curly on InstagramIchetucknee Springs State Park
12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, Fla. 32038 | 386-497-4690
Ichetucknee State Park is exactly where you want to have a cookout when you’re camping. They’ve got picnic areas fully-equipped with tables and grills all throughout the park, and when you get tired of grillin’ out (unlikely) cool down with some leisure tubing down the river.
Photo via irinaverwer on InstagramCaladesi Island State Park
1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, Fla. 34698 | 727-469-5918
Throw on the shades ‘cause Caladesi beach white sand is blindingly beautiful. Frolic along the coast or go on an adventure down the 3-mile nature trail where you just might spot some exotic wildlife.
Photo via benedicteroen on InstagramHoneymoon Island State Park
1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, Fla. 34698 | 727-469-5942
The beaches at Honeymoon Island are beautiful beyond compare. Take your beau for a weekend trip and as you stroll down the beach while the sun is setting, make a few stops on the way to pick up some gorgeous seashells– the perfect activity to bring two lovebirds together.
Photo via juweeha on Instagram
