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Haw Creek Preserve State Park paddler

State Park Articles

Catch up on the latest about Florida State Parks as we share park information and experiences

Scroll through to see older articles.

Palm Hammock Trail Merritt Island

Hiking in Florida

February 15, 2020//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

New to Florida? Florida is different. If you don’t know much about our outdoors, start here to learn what’s unique about hiking, backpacking, and camping in Florida.

Madison Blue Springs

Spring Hopping Around Tallahassee

July 1, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

Between Madison and Marianna and across Wakulla County, explore a colorful collection of natural springs for swimming and snorkeling, all within an hour of Tallahassee.

toxic trees florida

Florida’s Toxic Trees

June 22, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

Southeast Florida is home to two poisonous trees, the poisonwood and the manchineel. Learn how to recognize them so you don’t get too close, and find out how truly dangerous they are.

Staircase into Devils Millhopper

Descent into Devils Millhopper

June 9, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

Devils Millhopper State Park debuted a new staircase into the sinkhole on June 5. It has 100 fewer steps and yet is less steep and broader than the prior version.

Hogtown Creek Greenway

Hiking Safely With Your Dog

May 11, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

While hiking with your dog can be very satisfying, Florida hiking has its own special perils for your best buddy. Here’s a heads-up on what to look for and where it’s best to take a hike.

Bike path bridge over interstate 95

The Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

April 2, 2019//  by John Keatley

If you’ve seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you’ve probably wondered about it. Here’s what we found when we stopped for a ride.

Destination: Adventure

March 29, 2019//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Biking, paddling, and even a bit of hiking were in the plans as we explored Florida’s Adventure Coast – Hernando County – for activities we could enjoy during warm weather.

Bears opening trash can

Bear season in Florida

February 23, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

As Florida black bears become active in late winter and spring, the chances of a bear encounter go up significantly if you leave food unsecured outdoors – whether in your campsite or at home.

The Planetary Court at Koreshan State Park

Florida’s Utopia

December 9, 2018//  by John Keatley

At the Koreshan Unity in Estero, Florida, a group of believers gathered in 1894 to build their paradise. It is now a National Historic Site and a Florida State Park. Walk the trails and streets of “New Jerusalem” to learn its story.

50 Hikes Central Florida graphic

The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida

October 5, 2018//  by Sandra Friend

We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.

Old Spanish Sugar Mill at De Leon Springs State Park

Pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill

July 26, 2018//  by John Keatley

Making pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill in De Leon Springs has been a tradition since 1961. But did you know the mill’s history? Settle in and flip a flapjack after learning about its roots.

Ichetucknee Springs

Florida thanks Irma first responders

September 21, 2017//  by Sandra Friend

As a thank you from the state of Florida, first responders (including lineworkers) who worked on support statewide during and after Hurricane Irma are eligible for a free annual Florida State Parks pass with proof of their service.

Boulders and blossoms at Florida Caverns

March 1, 2017//  by Sandra Friend

Looking for a compelling wildflower walk? One of Florida’s showiest parades of wildflowers clings to the bluffs at Florida Caverns State Park.

Oleta River State Park

Florida’s Best Urban Parks

October 27, 2016//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

When you live in a tightly packed space, you need somewhere green as your go-to place nearby. These are our top picks for parks in Florida’s urban areas, chosen for their diversity of outdoor activities and/or their unique green spaces.

San Marcos de Apalache

Exploring San Marcos de Apalache

June 21, 2016//  by John Keatley

Where the Wakulla and St Marks Rivers meet, explore San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, a small piece of ground with a deep history under five flags.

Fighting bulldozers in a Florida State Park

March 4, 2016//  by Sandra Friend

Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie is threatened by city plans to bulldoze a route right through conservation lands to build a Crosstown Bridge – and those plans haven’t changed, despite public input and lawsuits by environmental groups.

Woodpecker Trail at Big Shoals

Woodpecker Trail

August 30, 2015//  by John Keatley

The Woodpecker Trail at Big Shoals State Park provides a 7-mile wildlife-rich round trip ride, but watch out for those puddles! John plunges in anyway to get the story.

Tubing the Ichetucknee

Tubing the Ichetucknee

August 30, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

Tubing the Ichetucknee River means letting go and going with the flow, letting the waters carry you past beautiful springs and through ever-changing habitats. Here’s how.

Ichetucknee Springs

Springs of the Suwannee River Valley

August 27, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

It’s August. It’s Florida. Where do you go to cool off? The springs of the Suwannee River Valley. No matter the size, these natural swimming holes are a delight.

Indian Key

Indian Key: An unusual ghost town

August 9, 2015//  by John Keatley

John takes a trip back in time with Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli to discover the layers of history found on Indian Key, once the county seat of Dade County

John photographs a liguus tree snail in Everglades National Park

Adding to the Life List

July 21, 2015//  by John Keatley

Although John is a native Floridian, our research trip to South Florida became an opportunity for him to see many natural “firsts” in Florida that most people have on their life lists.

Students watching the reef

Spirit of Pennekamp

July 17, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

Cruising on the Spirit of Pennekamp is how landlubbers – and snorklers uncomfortable with ocean swells – get to experience the living coral reefs of the Florida Keys

Enormous strap fern

Stranding Steves at Fakahatchee

July 14, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

Exploring Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park for a chapter of a new book we’re writing, a pair of park rangers named Steve guide us to the park’s beauty spots

ghost orchid

The Ghost Orchid

July 13, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

On a guided swamp walk into the Fakahatchee Strand, I discover how difficult it is to spot a ghost orchid on your own, let alone keep your bearings in this tangled tropical wilderness

Liguus tree snail

Thinking small at Collier-Seminole

June 28, 2015//  by Sandra Friend

One of Florida’s most beautiful nature trails, Collier-Seminole State Park’s Royal Palm Hammock Trail can be a challenge, but worth it for both vistas and details

Three Days of Lower Suwannee Springs

October 14, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Not so busy thanks to their locations on the lower Suwannee River, this series of four major springs provide another 3-day weekend getaway option for active outdoor recreation in Florida

Lunchtime underwater at Weeki Wachee

Three Days of Nature Coast Springs

October 10, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Between New Port Richey and Crystal River, explore a variety of springs along the Nature Coast that provide splashing fun in summer and manatee watching in winter.

The deep outflow of the spring pool

Three Days of Central Florida Springs

October 9, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Have a three-day weekend coming up and an urge to spend it with Florida’s springs? Here’s an itinerary for the Orlando area that’ll have you splashing in beautiful locations.

Algae growth on rocks at Manatee Springs

Springs of the Lower Suwannee

July 20, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Visits to four springs along the lower Suwannee River enlightens us as to the changes occurring in Florida’s springs, even in rural areas.

Blue spring

Reflections on Madison Blue

June 18, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Soaking in blue: reflections on the magical waters of Madison Blue Spring, an aquamarine pool along the upper Withlacoochee River, and its future as a spring.

Ribbon cutting on the new Dunnellon Trail

Grand opening of the Dunnellon Trail

May 17, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

On May 16, 2014, DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails opened a new bridge and trail along the Cross Florida Greenway, the Dunnellon Trail, providing a crucial connector for the Florida Trail.

Submarine boat, April 1968 (Linda Friend)

Chasing Rainbows: Florida Springs Protection

April 3, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

April is Florida Springs Protection Month, according to our state agencies. A walk through Rainbow Springs State Park confirms that as beautiful as they look, the springs are not in good health.

Prairie Reflections

February 20, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Walking the wilds of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park means hours spent in blazing sun and a landscape that makes you feel inconsequential on this earth.

Creek Sink Trail at San Felasco Hammock

At San Felasco Hammock

May 16, 2013//  by Sandra Friend

At San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, two hiking trail systems offer two different perspectives on karst landscapes and dense deciduous forests.

Following Juniper Creek

April 16, 2013//  by John Keatley

On the third day of the 2013 Panhandle Trace Hike, we followed the Juniper Creek section of the Florida Trail away from the wildfires that burned to the north, experiencing beauty and absurdity along the way.

Entrance to the Land Bridge from Land Bridge Trailhead

Cross Florida Greenway History | The Land Bridge

December 22, 2012//  by Sandra Friend

A landmark along Interstate 75 near Ocala, the Land Bridge remains one of the more popular destinations for hikers, bikers, and equestrians on the Cross Florida Greenway.

Citrus Hiking Trail

Where to find multi-day backpacking loops

October 16, 2012//  by Sandra Friend

Where are Florida’s best backpacking loop hikes for 3 or more days on the trail? Here are the top suggestions and their pros and cons.

Lyonia Preserve

Florida Scrub-Jay Hikes

February 2, 2012//  by Sandra Friend

Natural lands in Florida with known Florida scrub-jay families or pairs that you might glimpse along the trails as you’re hiking.

Otter Cave Hammock Trail

Matching Florida books to outdoor adventures

November 29, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

Have you ever matched a book to an outdoor adventure? Well, now’s the time to try it out. A special focus on the outdoors is part of this year’s summer reading program “Just Read, Families!” from the Florida Department of Education. Some of the books on their list with themes that fit both Florida and …

FT Eglin (Bob Coveney)

Permits and Passes

November 28, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

Details on how to obtain passes and permits for Florida’s public lands, including Florida State Parks, State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, National Federal Lands, and Eglin Air Force Base.

Myakka River State Park

Backpacking Myakka River State Park

November 10, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

With 39 miles in four loops, the Myakka Hiking Trail at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is one of the state’s finest destinations for a weekend or long weekend holiday hike.

Big Cypress in summer

Rugged Hikes in Florida

October 20, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

A discussion that came up on the forum recently – where are the most rugged hikes in Florida? – fits well with the cool weather we now have.  The term “rugged” is subjective, of course, based on your own hiking expertise:  someone who hikes regularly in the Rockies isn’t going to find our hilly hikes …

Boardwalk at Churchhouse Hammock

Wander into Churchhouse Hammock

June 16, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

It’s one of the easiest trails to find along US 19 in Florida – right across from the Crystal River Mall. Churchhouse Hammock is part of Crystal River Preserve State Park.

La Chua alligator

Gator time at Alachua Sink

June 7, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

Alligators are in abundance along the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that we saw some of them mating.

Dead River at Ochlockonee River State Park

Explore Ochlockonee River State Park

June 2, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

For a breezy place to camp and trails to explore, head on up to the “Forgotten Coast” and track down Ochlockonee River State Park outside of Sopchoppy.

Remembering Rainbow Springs

May 28, 2011//  by Sandra Friend

Ready for some nostalgia? Here’s a peek at what Rainbow Springs used to be like back in the 1960s.

You'll always see reptiles along Lake Wauberg

Along Lake Wauberg

January 22, 2010//  by Sandra Friend

A wander along Lake Wauberg to the symphony of Archie Carr’s favorite frogs brought memories flooding back of gentler times.

Osprey watching at Honeymoon Island

July 26, 2009//  by Sandra Friend

It’s an easy walk out to the osprey nesting grounds on Honeymoon Island, and an unforgettable experience.

Scrub at Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon’s Sandy Sweep

July 12, 2009//  by Sandra Friend

Big Lagoon State Park is notable for being a gateway to the Great Florida Birding Trail, with a large observation tower overlooking the vast sweep of the namesake lagoon

Wild horses grazing on the prairie

Wild horses on Paynes Prairie

April 25, 2009//  by Sandra Friend

That magical moment when you climb to the top of the observation tower on the rim of Paynes Prairie and see the wild horses on the prairie for the first time: priceless.

Big Lagoon tower

Towering over Big Lagoon

April 7, 2009//  by Sandra Friend

The tower at Big Lagoon State Park offers a sweeping view of the park, the lagoon, the Gulf of Mexico, parts of Gulf Islands National Seashore, Perdido Key, and the surrounding shorelines.

Pitcher plants at Tarkiln Bayou State Park

Pitcher plants at Tarkiln Bayou

April 7, 2009//  by Sandra Friend

At Tarkiln Bayou State Park, the showy blooms of pitcher plants are on parade each spring. The boggy Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie is ground zero for these beauties.

Sandhills at Gold Head

Hiking the FT at Gold Head

September 4, 2008//  by Sandra Friend

A walk-through of the Florida Trail at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, one of the more beautiful short hikes you can do on the Florida Trail.

Peacock Springs cypress

Tip of the Nose

March 30, 2007//  by Sandra Friend

Cypress knees can grow much taller than you think. I was able to measure this particular one at Peacock Springs State Park by standing nose to nose with it.

Inside the Cherry Cabin at Gold Head Branch State Park

Mike, mist, and the Cherry Cabin

March 1, 2007//  by Sandra Friend

On Tuesday evening after work, I took a trek up to Keystone Heights to meet up with my buddy Mike DeWitt, whose sole purpose in life these days is to hike the Florida Trail, absorb the essence of Florida, and blend it all into a blog and features for the Tampa Tribune. I’m envious of …

Curry Hammock Trail

Paradise, Palms, & Mosquitoes

September 9, 2006//  by Sandra Friend

My first exploration on the hiking trails of Marathon lead to thatch palm hammocks: the Curry Hammock Nature Trail at Curry Hammock State Park, and the trails of Crane Point Hammock, including the beautiful Palm Hammock Trail.

White-topped pitcher plant bloom at Garcon Point

Picture of Beauty

April 10, 2006//  by Sandra Friend

I spent a weekend seeking out Florida’s most uncommon and unusual flora – pitcher plants – in their stronghold of the Western Panhandle. Here’s what I found.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

A Walk at Wekiwa

February 17, 2006//  by Sandra Friend

A walk in the park at Wekiwa Springs State Park doesn’t have to be a long one. Here’s a way to sample the park’s highlights and habitats along its trails.

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