Amelia Island is home to one of Florida’s oldest settlements, Fernandina Beach. Fringed by estuary and beaches, it’s a popular getaway with both camping and upscale resorts.
Apalachicola
Around Apalachicola, the “Forgotten Coast” is dotted with parks, forests, and refuges along US 98 and the barrier islands, none of which are easily accessed from Tallahassee or Panama City.
Apalachicola National Forest
The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest National Forest in Florida, sweeping around the southern edge of Tallahassee. It is noted for its botanical beauty.
Apalachicola River
There is something magical about the Apalachicola River, surrounded by deeply folded ravines at its upper end and wet pine flatwoods farther south, home to unusual plant species along its length.
Apopka
Only 30 minutes from downtown Orlando, Apopka has interesting hikes in public lands along the Wekiva River basin and its tributaries, as well as the chain of lakes connecting to Lake Apopka.
Arcadia
In the heart of Florida’s cattle ranching country, Arcadia sits along the Peace River, which offers up an array of public lands for outdoor recreation.
Belleview
With the Cross Florida Greenway hugging its northern boundary, and the famed Santos Trails for mountain bikers, Belleview is a destination for outdoor recreation
Big Cypress
A massive ecosystem spanning more than a million acres, Big Cypress is a mosaic of sensitive tropical landscapes seen nowhere else in the United States.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Protecting the heart of the Big Cypress Swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve was established in 1974. Exploring its lush subtropical landscapes means wading through crystal-clear swamps or paddling its channelized rivers.
Biscayne Bay
Biscayne Bay is a shallow estuary bounded by barrier islands and coral reefs, stretching from the Oleta River to the top of the Florida Keys, more than 63,000 acres of placid salt water.