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Guide Official State Park Map & Guide F A C T There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! » Simple tips for Great Photos LESSON ONE Get Up Early Early morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light. LESSON TWO Tell a Story Shoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing. LESSON THREE Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture. More to Explore: Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine. • The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com. • Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest. YOUR BEST SHOT FL10MP

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Go the distance F A C T Chat it up F A C T Hunt for treasure Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself. • The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com. Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet. Osprey Gopher tortoise

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

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uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

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Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

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Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

P A R K S T A F F R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

GRAYTON BEACHSTATE PARK

HONTOON ISLANDSTATE PARK

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEFSTATE PARK

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACHSTATE PARK

EDWARD BALL WAKULLASPRINGS STATE PARK

FORT CLINCHSTATE PARK

ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGSSTATE PARK

SILVER RIVERSTATE PARK

CALADESI ISLANDSTATE PARK

RAINBOW SPRINGSSTATE PARK

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Simple tips for Great Photos

LESSON ONE

Get Up EarlyEarly morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light.

LESSON TWO

Tell a StoryShoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.

LESSON THREE

Frame it Paintings look better when framed and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three or all four sides of a picture.

More to Explore:

Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Guide

3

5

1

4

2

FACT

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com.

• Are your state park photos fantastic? Enter Florida’s official state park photo contest: www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/photocontest.

Offi

cial

Sta

te P

ark

Map

& G

uide

Florida has a rich wildlife population that spans from the oceans to the trees and are as exciting as the landscape itself.

Meet the LocalsFive Fun Things to Do in Your Parks

Get smartLearn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature Center. Check to

see if tours are offered or take the time to read the kiosks, signs and displays located throughout the park.

Let technology meet natureUse your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or

exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them online. Now you have an interactive trail map!

Go the distanceHow far do you plan on walking or biking today? Keep track. How could today’s visit

affect your life when you return home? If you walk or bike this far at home you could save money and get healthy, too!

Hunt for treasureDo your kids love to hunt

for treasure? How about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees; put natural items like acorns and pine cones on your list of things to find. For other ideas, visit www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.

Chat it up Park Rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one

to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours.

TodAy IN THE PARK:W I L d L I F E

A C T I V I T I E S

y o U R B E S T S H o T

The average adult West Indian Manatee is 10 feet long and weighs 800 to 1,200 pounds.

FACT

There are more than 700,000 acres here in Florida’s state parks! All 160 of them! Let’s go! »

White-tailed deer The beautiful male deer will regrow their antlers every season.

Gopher tortoise This creature digs burrows in dry habitats and can weigh up to 29 pounds.

Florida pantherThe endangered mammal lives in the low tides, palm forests and swamps of southern Florida.

Sherman fox squirrelThis squirrel loves pineforests of longleaf pine orSouth Florida slash pine.

Dolphin This friendly mammal can be seen throughout the Florida coastal waters.

Sea turtles Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida’s waters.

American alligator Found in Florida’s wetlands, males can grow as long as 14 feet.

Roseate spoonbill This unusual bird feeds in coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side.

Osprey A fish-eating bird with a brown body and gray head, seen near water.

Great blue heron The large blue-gray bird with black feathers forages in the shallows.

Land Animals Marine Life Birds

FL10

MP

Highlands Hammock State Park M9 A full-facility campground is available here year-round. It is the perfect place to stay after a long day of hiking and bird watching on the trails at Highlands Hammock.

TRAILSAlafia River State Park L8Twenty miles of hiking and equestrians trails winds through mixed hardwood forests and pine flatwoods over rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Oscar Scherer State Park K10Spend a morning hiking the scrubby flatwoods looking for threatened Florida scrub-jays. Guided hikes provide opportunities to learn about the park’s plants and animals.

FISHINGCayo Costa State Park L11 Accessible only by boat, opportunities for saltwater fishing abound in this park. Catch flounder, snook,

trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Cook your catch on a grill outside one of our rustic cabins that sleep up to six people each. Lake Manatee State Park K9 A variety of fish species are frequently caught in the 2,400-acre lake. Expect to catch largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

DON’T MISS THISWeeki Wachee Springs State Park K7 Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have entertained many in the underwater theatre. The rest of this 538-acre park can be explored by walking its paths, canoeing the river or taking the river boat cruise.

Gasparilla Island State Park L11 Enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour and walk back in time to the town of Boca Grande’s beginning, a time when the railroad provided the only link between the island and the mainland.

BOAT TOURSMyakka River State Park L10One of the best ways to explore Myakka

River State Park is by water. Canoe the river or take a cruise aboard one of the world’s largest airboats.

PADDLING & KAYAKINGCollier-Seminole State Park M13 For some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the state, try the 13.6-mile canoe trail that meanders down the twisting Black Water River through the mangrove forest.

Koreshan State Historic Site M12 When not camping in one of the 60 sites, you could be in a kayak, exploring the brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, three miles away.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSKoreshan State Historic Site M12 Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began to fade after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Visitors can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the settlement.

Ybor City Museum State Park K8 From the opening of the first factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park L7 In the 1830s, white settlers and the Seminole Indians were engaged in significant conflict. The

Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. The park also protects the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled. Visitors strolling the half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks and indigo snakes.

BEACHES Caladesi Island State Park K8Though it is only accessible by boat, this park is worth the trip. Its beach was voted the nation’s Best Beach in 2008.

Lovers Key State Park M12 Lovers Key has a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach. Selected as the fourth best beach in all of Florida by the Travel Channel, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine after you’ve enjoyed bicycling, bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking.

CAMPINGHillsborough River State Park L8 Enjoy RV or tent camping at one of the 108 sites. Plan to hike the miles of trails and canoe the Hillsborough River. Pets are allowed.

BEACHES Anastasia State Park N4 Sun worshippers, bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of Anastasia. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, it’s just as famous for its unusual shoreline of coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic beach — a perfect place to relax.

CAMPING & CABINSGamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach State Park N4Enjoy beach camping in one of 34 sites that include water and electrical hookups.

Silver River State Park L5 This park offers ten luxurious cabins that each sleep up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace and more.

Lake Louisa State Park M7Here you’ll find 20 cabins overlooking beautiful Lake Dixie. Each has two bedrooms, two baths and a living room area. All cabins comfortably sleep six adults. It’s a great place to call home while fishing, biking or hiking in the park.

Tomoka State Park N5A popular camping park, you’ll find 100 campsites ready for a family getaway. Each campsite features a picnic table and grill.

TRAILSHontoon Island State Park N6Take a three-mile round trip hiking trail and self-guided tour that leads to a large Indian mound. Don’t forget your bike to explore more than five miles of service roads.

St. Sebastian River State Park O8 Ride the more than 60 miles of horse trails. The pine flatwoods are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 50 protected species

that can be spotted from atop your horse, bicycle or while hiking the trails.

FISHINGSebastian Inlet State Park 08Beach, river and inlet anglers are in paradise in the saltwater surrounding this park where impressive catches are often made from the two jetties extending out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Colt Creek State Park L7Fishing from three different freshwater lake banks at Colt Creek may net a catch of largemouth bass, bluegill, bream, shell cracker or catfish.

PADDLING & TUBING Wekiwa Springs State Park M6 Canoe or kayak anywhere from one to eight hours at your leisure, or go canoe camping from place to place along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Bulow Creek State Park N5Paddle past one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast. The reigning tree is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the south.

BEACHES Big Talbot Island State Park M2Take the Shoreline Trail, a quick 10-minute walk to the (non-bathing) beach to see many years worth of driftwood that has washed ashore and provides shelter for numerous plants and wildlife.

CAMPING & CABINS Fort Clinch State Park M1 Enjoy either Atlantic Beach campground with 21 sites just steps from the ocean or Amelia River campground, with 41 sites located near the Amelia River under moss-laden oak trees.

Little Talbot Island State Park M240 campsites are available for everything from tents to RVs for a perfect home base for daily excursions to explore Simpson Creek and the Fort George River by canoe or kayak.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2For a less primitive experience, try one of five cabins that sleep up to six people in spacious two-bedrooms with central heat and air, a gas fireplace, screened-in porch and kitchenette. Who says a weekend away has to be in a tent?

TRAILS Big Shoals State Park K2 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike can enjoy views of the water, wildlife and more. For those out for a more leisurely stroll, the Woodpecker Trail is a 3.4-mile flat trail.

O’Leno State Park K3 Nestled on the shores of the Santa Fe River, visitors enjoy hiking and canoeing. The 61-site campground welcomes visitors and their pets. River Rise Preserve State Park K3Close to O’Leno State Park, the 34 miles of trails here can be used by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders through 18 different natural communities. Then

Take the long way along the Gulf Coast

Day OneBe sure to plan ahead and book a two-night stay at one of the 10 popular cabins at Silver River State Park in Ocala. On the way there, visit Rainbow Springs State Park for a half-day before driving another 27 miles to Silver River to check-in.

Day TwoWake up in your comfy cabin and ready yourself for hiking along the 15 miles of long sweeping trails throughout the park. After lunch, drive 30 miles north to Gainesville for hike number two at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Here you may also opt for a kayak trip or bike ride around the beautiful park before heading back to your cabin. You may encounter the wild bison or ponies on the prairie.

Day ThreeWake up on your third day and head south. After an hour, you’ll arrive at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can enjoy a half-day watching manatees before grabbing lunch. Next, is a quick trip down the coast to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Here, you’ll spend the last bit of your trip watching the famous mermaids in the 400-person submerged theatre. But be sure to visit the rest of the 538-acre park before heading home.

Spend a long weekend traveling from Ocala to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see five great parks in three days from a beautiful vacation cabin nestled under the trees.

Silver River State Park

Telephone: (352) 236-7148

Website:www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver

59 Campsites10 Cabins Reservations:(800) 326-3521 or TDD (888) 868-9914 www.ReserveAmerica.com

Driving Distances: Orlando — 1.5 Hours Miami — 5 Hours Tampa — 2 Hours Daytona Beach — 2 Hours Jacksonville — 2 Hours

Petiquette in the ParkSo that our dogs can enjoy the park as much as we do while still preserving others’ experiences:• Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter.• Always clean up after your dog.• Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions.• Keep your dog quiet and calm.• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.

Leave the park better than you found it by follow these simple tips. By helping the park, you preserve it for future generations.

How you can help your parks

VolunteerEach year millions of people benefit from a state park experience. Many are passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and talents. Please consider giving back — even an hour a month can provide a vital resource to state parks and help keep them beautiful. Information is available from any park ranger.

RecyclingPlease recycle. This prevents cans and bottles from going into landfill space, which inevitably ends up affecting our ecosystem. Recycling also saves the park money by reduced disposal costs. Recycle bottles, cans and stove canisters. Reuse items when you are able, like your refillable water bottle.

Friends of Florida State ParksAs a member of Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. — the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service — your dues and support help preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands, historic and cultural sites and the fragile beauty of natural Florida. www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com.

MUST SEE & DO:

DON’T MISS THIS Florida Caverns State Park E1These caves are unique among Florida’s state parks. They contain awesome formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and draperies. Falling Waters State Park D1 Florida’s highest waterfall is on full display. Follow the boardwalk trail of huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes to this amazing 100-foot tall waterfall.

PADDLING & TUBINGBlackwater River State Park B1For a leisurely jaunt down the river, rent a canoe or tube and enjoy the last two miles that run through the park on a Florida Canoe Trail.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park C2Bring your canoe or kayak to explore these beautiful waters, designated an aquatic preserve. You might see dolphins, otters and migrant fowl along your way.

BEACHES Grayton Beach State Park C2 From salt marshes to scrub forest, you see it all here, consistently voted a top beach in the entire U.S.

St. Andrews State Park D3Just three miles from Panama City, the park is known for its sugar white sands and emerald waters.It was voted Best Beach in America in 1995.

T.H. Stone St. Joseph Peninsula State Park D4Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sugar sand, to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and canoe. Birders take note: more than 240 bird species have been spotted at this birder’s paradise.

BEACHESBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park P14Get a sweeping view of one of the nation’s top 10 beaches from the top of the restored lighthouse.

Bahia Honda State Park M16Voted Best Beach in 1992, this park offers swimming in both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park P13 This white sandy beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing.

PADDLING & KAYAKING John D. MacArthur Beach State Park P11 Visitors can enjoy a guided tour by kayak or venture out solo around the park’s miles of water through the estuary and Munyon Island.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park P13Located between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, fish from the seawall or hike along the trails.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park L16 Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. Beginning in 1968, through the tireless efforts of volunteers, excavations for old armaments in the gun rooms uncovered a number of guns and ammunition from Civil War times. This represents only a fraction of the buried arsenal, which is the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. In recognition of this, Fort Taylor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Two years later, the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark.

camp for the night with your horse at one of 20 horse stalls near the basic campsites.

FISHING George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park M2 With a fishing bridge open 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year, it’s no wonder that this is a haven for saltwater anglers in Florida.

Manatee Springs State Park J4Though winter is the peak time for manatee spotting, any time is a great time for freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and panfish along the spring run and in the Suwannee River.

PADDLING & TUBING Ichetucknee Springs State Park K3Choose the length of your float time on the Ichetucknee River. Take a three-hour float from the North Entrance or a shorter float from Dampier’s Landing or Mid-point Launch. Rainbow Springs State Park K5Bring your tent or RV to

this newly-renovated 60-site campground where tubing or canoeing the Rainbow River is a treat.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail J2 River camp along the 170-mile historic Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak from stop-to-stop, ride a bicycle or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTS Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park K2This park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. Some of his songs are played daily on the 97-bell carillon. This park is home to the Florida Folk Festival, held every year during Memorial Day weekend. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park L4Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life and enjoy a guided tour of the Rawlings home, a designated National Historic Landmark. Marjorie Rawlings was the author of The Yearling and was named a ‘First Floridian’ in 2009.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park K4Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s through three generations of the Dudley family. Featured are seasonal cane grindings, corn shucking and heritage varieties of livestock and plants. Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and bluebirds are still seen in the fields. The park is open Wednesdays-Sundays.

DON’T MISS THISEllie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park K6One of the few places where you are sure to see a manatee, Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer and American alligators. Learn about nature on the boat cruise on your way from the Visitor Center to the wildlife park.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSWashington Oaks Gardens State Park N4 Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington and purchased by Louise and Owen Young in 1936, who built a winter retirement home and the formal gardens. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the state. De Leon Springs State Park M5Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during

the Second Seminole War. In 1831 Colonel Orlando Rees purchased the property and constructed the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida. Fort Mose Historic State Park M3In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. It may be the earliest known site associated with slaves seeking freedom by escape and living in communities where they were free. When Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763, the inhabitants of Fort Mose migrated to Cuba. Although nothing remains of the fort, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its importance in American

history. Visitors may view the site from a boardwalk and stop for a picnic in a covered pavilion.

BOAT TOURSBlue Spring State Park N6 Guests on the two-hour narrated cruise on the St. Johns River are likely to spot a West Indian manatee during the winter months. This park is a designated Manatee Refuge.

DON’T MISS THISLake Kissimmee State Park N8 October through May, you can visit an authentic 1876 cow camp and meet a Florida ‘cow hunter,’ who will share stories of his daily life with you. Group tours are available year-round upon request.

G E T I N VO L V E DH I T T H E R O A D

Southeast RegionEnjoy the lush green southeast of Florida from the luxury of your kayak or relax on the beaches of the area.

Camping and cabins make it a great vacation spot.

CAMPING & CABINS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park C2New tent campsites are available as well as two-bedroom, two-bath cabins that sleep six and are full of amenities.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park F4 60 popular campsites are located between the Gulf and Bay. Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the beach.

BOAT TOURS Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park G3Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The park has such an abundance of wildlife that you won’t want to miss the daily guided riverboat tour. Expect to see turtles, alligators and birds galore. The lucky ones see manatees.

HISTORIC HOTSPOTSEden Gardens State Park C2This 19th century home belonged to the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida timber

family. It contains one of the largest collections of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. Tours are offered Thurs-Mon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Camp Helen State Park C3This area became a hotel and rustic resort in the 1920s and then a tourist attraction. In the 1940s it was further developed as a getaway location for employees of the Avondale Mills Company. It has been a Florida state park since 1996 and provides a glimpse of what vacationing in Florida used to be. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park G2The ornamental gardens were planted from 1923 to 1953. A masterpiece in floral architecture, the gardens and winter home of the Maclay’s are a sight in winter and spring and a joy year-round.

FISHINGBald Point State Park G3Saltwater fishing for redfish, trout, flounder and mackerel is opportune here. In the fall, bald eagles and monarch butterflies can be seen migrating south.

Big Lagoon State Park A3 Fishing for saltwater fish includes redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout each season. But if you don’t want to cast a line, search for crab in the lagoon.

Three Rivers State Park E1 Some of the best freshwater fishing in the state is found on Lake Seminole, where anglers can snag largemouth and bream, all from the 100-foot platform located near the cozy camping area.

TRAILSTorreya State Park E2This park offers the best in hiking with seven miles of Apalachicola River Bluffs and Weeping Ridge Trails. Then stay the night in a yurt, a fully furnished, heat and air conditioned circular abode that sleeps five.

The Barnacle Historic State Park P14 The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. The Barnacle, reflects the image of a simpler time in South Florida’s past. His property, home and its contents depict a lifestyle that no longer exists.

CAMPINGLong Key State Park N16 Camp along the Atlantic Ocean in one of 60 campsites. After a night of listening to quiet waves lapping the shore, rent a canoe for a morning paddle through the park’s shallow lagoon.

Curry Hammock State Park N16 For a view of the Atlantic Ocean, check out the 28-site campground. From here, you can enjoy kayaking from the beach, a 1.5-mile nature trail and biking on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

DON’T MISS THISSavannas Preserve State Park P10 A great place to learn about the largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas is at the Environmental Education Center. Eight miles of trails are available for hiking, bicycling or horseback riding. Jonathan Dickinson State Park P10 If you’re looking for alligators, there’s a good chance you’ll see one here — either from a river boat tour or walking along the nature trail. The restored camp of the ‘Wildman of the Loxahatchee,’ Trapper Nelson is another visitor treat.

BOAT TOURSJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park O15Boat tours offer the opportunity to experience

the park’s coral reef system: scuba diving and snorkeling tours provide a closer look while a glass-bottom boat tour provides a glimpse without getting wet. Bahia Honda State Park M16Rent a single or double sit-on-top ocean kayak for a relaxing way to explore the water around the park.

TRAILSJonathan Dickinson State Park P10 Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians use the many miles of trails at this park. Paved and unpaved trails wind through the park, thrilling beginners and experts. Oleta River State Park P13 More than 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails are offered. There are also more than 10 miles of trails for beginners.

FISHINGFort Pierce Inlet State Park P9 Bluefish, snook, red drum, flounder and trout might the catch of the day at this park.

Southwest Region The southwest region has great sun and sand. Fishing and water sports making it a prime destination.

Northeast RegionKnown for its beautiful beaches, slow lazy rivers and bountiful springs for swimming and tubing; history, culture and folklife abound in the Northeast.

Northwest RegionThe northwest region of Florida has everything from coastal beaches to freshwater inlets with waterfalls and amazing caves.

Central Region Florida’s Atlantic coastal beaches offer a variety of water activities and lots of sunshine. Inland, you’ll find great camping, hiking and canoeing.

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