Explore the Outdoors
get in touch with nature on Florida’s Atlantic Coast
Communing with nature provides us with the kind serenity of mind and spirit, which is sorely needed after the trials of the past year. Natural encounters featured in Florida provide a cornucopia of opportunities to brighten your day, from hushed walks through a state forest, to adventurous paddling along a river trail. Fall asleep to the sounds of chirruping crickets and ocean waves at accommodations that highlight the outdoors.
Florida’s Historic Coast
At the northern end of Anastasia Island is Anastasia State Park, which offers white-sand beaches, sweeping sand dunes, and tidal marshes amidst a stunning 1,600 acres of unspoiled natural beauty. Along the Salt Run, you’ll find plenty of wildlife like roseate spoonbills, osprey, and eagles. You can canoe or kayak on the water, or hike along the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail. It’s a great opportunity for your little outdoorsperson to learn about nature and history! You can opt for camping or the comfort of a cabin at the park, which are not far from the scenic beach.
Opening their doors in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of the oldest attractions in the area (and, quite possibly, the state). The original owners began this attraction with their own collection of alligators, and it has grown to become a beloved animal adventure. Enjoy educational shows that teach as well as entertain. The farm offers an intriguing zipline and aerial adventure course called “Crocodile Crossing.” Guests can coast at eye-level with exotic birds and dangle above crocodiles on one of two courses that reach up to 60 feet high!
Matanzas State Forest was created from the Matanzas Marsh Northeast Florida Blueway Florida Forever Project. The forest protects the last remaining undisturbed salt marsh within the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The forest is home to songbirds, wading marsh birds, bald eagles, deer, otter, turkey, hogs and gopher tortoises. About 75 percent of the forest is upland and made up of pine plantations. The remaining 25 percent of the forest is wetlands, including bay and cypress swamps. Recreational features include roads for horseback riding, hiking and bicycling; water access for canoeing and fishing; and abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems for nature study, viewing and photography. Camping is available at the Cedar Creek Campground, and youth groups are welcome at the Matanzas Group Camp - call 904-797-5073 to reserve your spot!
Located seven miles west of historic St. Augustine, Stagecoach RV Park offers a perfect location for travelers. Every site includes cable TV, WiFi, and full hook-up service. Preferred sites are also available with a concrete patio. Outdoor activities including oversized checkers, Connect 4, basketball, dog park for our 4 legged campers, and more!
floridastateparks.org/anastasia
alligatorfarm.com
fdacs.gov
Jacksonville and the Beaches
Minutes away from Jacksonville's city center, a natural wonderland awaits. The abundant parks, waterways and ecological preserves in Jacksonville provide an unforgettable opportunity to escape city life and get active in nature’s playground!
Get to know the birds, plants, and animals that inhabit our wild and untouched state parks and nature preserves. Hike, bike, or run on miles of shaded trails or experience the great outdoors with an evening of camping. For an unforgettable wildlife adventure, bring the whole family to one of the many animal related attractions, like the much loved Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Interactive and educational exhibits keep you engaged in learning about the more than 2,000 exotic animals and 1,000 plants in the Zoo’s collection. Don’t miss the award-winning Range of the Jaguar exhibit, The Land of the Tiger, and the Giraffe Overlook, where you can hand-feed giraffes! The newest exhibit, The African Forest, features a 40-foot tropical tree for amazing views of the beautiful apes that call this exhibit home.
Catty Shack Ranch, a local favorite, provides a forever home to endangered big cats like lions, tigers, cougars, and leopards. Some of these beautiful cats are rescued from circuses, private homes and are getting a second chance at a comfortable life. The ranch also provides hours of educational entertainment to families. Try a nighttime feeding tour, when these mostly nocturnal animals are out and about and roaring! Another local favorite is Celestial Farms, which rescues farm animals in need in the area, rehabilitates them, and provides a loving temporary home for them before adopting them out into forever homes. To support its efforts, the farm offers tours and animal encounters where the whole family can learn about farming, animal care and gardening. Celestial Farms also has monthly events that are open to the public where you can interact with their animals.
Though the Museum of Science and History is an indoor attraction, you will experience a learning journey about the outdoors that will take you outside the museum’s walls, and even outside of our time. The museum offers interactive animal encounters at their Florida Naturalist’s Center. They have local wildlife like snakes, turtles, opossums, owls and many other surprising animals in this unique space.
jacksonvillezoo.org
cattyshack.org
themosh.org
celestialfarms.org
Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches
Every day is an eco adventure in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches, with so much to explore and see year-round! With Mother Nature as the main attraction to this coastal town, here you will find some of Florida’s favorite birding spots, miles of trails for bikers, hikers and horseback riders, and abundant fishing and scenic waterways where you can paddle.
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park preserves 425 acres of coastal scenery along State Road A1A in Palm Coast, Florida. The Park's eastern boundary holds one of the largest outcroppings of coquina rock on the Atlantic Ocean, creating a picturesque boulder-strewn beach. The heart of the Park consists of a coastal scrub community that transitions into lush hammock where towering live oaks, hickory and magnolia trees offer their welcome shade. Bordering the hammock are the scenic tidal marshes of the Matanzas River. It is within the hammock that 20 acres of formal gardens are sculpted from the landscape to create an amazing place to relax and enjoy the wonders of nature. The Young's built their winter retreat here; the buildings and gardens of the Washington Oaks Historic District are part of the Young's legacy.
With more than 125 miles of connecting trails from which to choose, you can customize the length of your route and incorporate a variety of levels. Pathways are lined with historic oaks, towering pines and indigenous vegetation. The Mala CompraTrail is one of the more popular technical trails offering a 5.5 mile single track trail located off A1A. Trailheads are conveniently located with ample parking, restrooms and tire repair stations.
Take a slow approach and paddle your way through the area's pristine waterways from the vantage point of a canoe, kayak or SUP. A plethora of launch sites guide paddlers to tranquil creeks, estuaries, lakes and even the Atlantic Ocean. If you need a vessel (or a lesson) Tropical Kayak offers guided tours throughout the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby wetlands. Ripple Effect Ecotours specializes in tours guided by Master Naturalists to take you through an area that has been designated the most productive eco system on the planet.
washingtonoaks.org
tropicalkayaks.com
rippleeffectecotours.com
Florida’s Space Coast
Cape Canaveral's flagship park, Manatee Sanctuary Park, boasts over 10 full acres of riverfront beauty. Situated on the Banana River, this park has a little something for everyone - it is indeed one of the friendliest and most peaceful parks out there. Relax with the kids on a half-mile trail that offers doable hiking for little legs. Walk along the riverside boardwalk and, of course, be on the lookout for Manatees! Check for dolphins, osprey, waterfowl, fish, and so much more.
This pristine barrier island composed of dune, hammock and lagoon habitats provides protection from storms, preserves ancient Timucua Native American mounds, and is sanctuary for thousands of species of plants and animals that call Canaveral National Seashore home. Reflect on a pristine undeveloped shoreline, explore a historic site, or experience the rumble of a rocket soaring into space.
This is a truly WILD experience! At Brevard Zoo in Melbourne you can kayak through Africa or zipline through South America. Adventure around animal exhibits and see the residents themselves up-close and personal. Let a giraffe eat right from your hand, pet a gentle rhino, or have colorful parrots land on your arms. Brevard Zoo is home to more than 650 animals representing more than 165 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Explore each habitat by walking along shaded boardwalks surrounded by lush, unspoiled Florida, paddle-boat around the 22-acre restored wetlands area in the Wild Florida exhibit, or kayak around the 10 acre Expedition Africa exhibit. In the summer months you can cool off in the Indian River Play Lagoon or the touch tank in the “Paws on Play” area for kids. To get the wind in your hair, zoom through the “Treetop Trek,” a thrilling zip line and obstacle course.
Savannas Preserve State Park protects a representative sample of a basin marsh that extended throughout South Florida prior to rapid suburban growth
Pavilions and picnic tables are available near the center and at trail heads throughout the park. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the wetlands are popular recreational activities.
Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will enjoy the diversity of habitats this undisturbed area has to offer. The park boasts over 15 miles of multi-use trails that provide ample opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Regularly scheduled guided walks and canoe trips are available by reservation.
On the idyllic shores of Cocoa Beach, known for decades as a playground for beach-loving families, sits the beautiful Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort. A tropical hotel offering spacious two-bedroom suites perfect for family stays, it’ll quickly become your troupe’s tropical getaway. Enjoy splashing around the pool (they even have a smaller kids pool for young tykes) or head down the short path to the beach. If you want to explore the area, be sure to take advantage of their shuttle service. They are also not far from the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, a landmark of the area since 1962.
cityofcapecanaveral.org
nps.gov/can
brevardzoo.org
floridastateparks.org
westgatecocoabeach.com
Martin County
Packed with history, nature, and scenic backroads, Martin County is a hidden gem of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. This is one of the last places to enjoy the great outdoors - this area not only offers tranquil beaches but also lush pastures, tree-lined backroads, and charming small towns that make it a favorite for roadtrippers. One of the most popular paddle trips is on the Martin County Scenic Blueway Trail, which spans almost 38 miles which include the St. Lucie River and Indian Lagoon and offers you the intrinsic beauty of Martin County, from the thick tropical forests to playful wildlife.
Blowing Rocks Preserve is named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline, the largest on the U.S. Atlantic coast. This magnificently restored sanctuary offers a rare window into Florida’s natural history. Visitors can get a glimpse of one of our state’s rarest surviving landscapes – an intact Florida dune habitat with beach sunflower, bay cedar, sea grape, and sea oats. Three hiking trails and boardwalks, each up to 1/3 mile long, feature interpretative signs all along the paths. Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving are allowed from the beach during listed hours. The Hawley Education Center provides tourists and the local community an opportunity to learn about efforts to protect native habitats, plants, and animals in Florida and around the world.
You cannot visit this area without going on an eco-tour. This is one of the greatest places on Earth to learn about the importance of conservation and to see some of the purest, “realest” wild areas in the U.S. Sunshine Wildlife Tours takes you on a wild excursion aboard the Sirenia, a 35’ pontoon boat with seats in the shade, and even restrooms. Enjoy close up views of Bottlenose Dolphins, Manatees, Sea Turtles and a vast array of endangered and threatened bird species and their rookeries, and a visit to Bird Island on every tour. Zeke’s Surf, Skate, and Paddleboarding Tours put an active twist on the typical nature tour, getting you out on the water while you learn about wildlife. You can also choose a sunrise or sunset excursion to add a little extra magic!
Pitchford’s RV Park is located along the Indian River at the Jensen Beach Causeway, close to beaches and Hutchinson Island. Museums, restaurants, specialty shops, and the Treasure Coast Mall are conveniently located within walking distance. River and surf fishing and swimming in the ocean have been popular with tourists since the park was established by the Pitchford family in the early 1900’s.
discovermartin.com
sunshinewildlifetours.com
zekessurfandpaddle.com
pitchfordsbythesearv.com
Fort Lauderdale and the Beaches
In one of the most vibrant places on Earth - Fort Lauderdale and its beaches - you will find equally colorful experiences with nature, with just a touch of luxury. In nearby Coconut Park is an enchanting attraction that children, and the whole family, are sure to enjoy: Butterfly World. The world's largest butterfly park, it is home to more than 20,000 live butterflies from every corner of the globe. Working in conjunction with scientists there, Butterfly World has been instrumental in saving the endangered Schaus Swallowtail, a species of butterfly that is becoming reestablished in South Florida, and may, one day soon, be taken off of the endangered species list. Marvel at hundreds of exotic birds in the six Free-Flight Aviaries, hand-feed the lorikeets, and explore the butterfly museum and Bug Zoo! Waterfalls, botanical gardens, passion vines, and roses complete this natural habitat.
Another fantastic animal attraction are the Flamingo Gardens in Davie. Spend the day in this 60-acre, not-for-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary featuring thousands of rare, exotic and native plants, some of Florida’s largest and oldest trees, and over 90 species of Florida native animals. Visit alligators, eagles, otters, panthers, bobcats, a black bear and of course, flamingos. Step back in time at the historic 1930s Wray Home Museum. The gardens offer venue rentals, not only for weddings but also for children’s birthday parties - in fact, they offer special birthday packages to anyone planning to host a party.
Situated on 10 lush acres on the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar Resort & Club is the ideal spot for families who like spending time outside, and love everything in one place (which saves a lot of time piling in and out of the minivan - so you can actually enjoy your time outdoors). The first thing that you need to know are that there are a wide choice of spacious, comfortable, and posh suites featuring amazing views and top notch room service; and the first thing the kids need to know is that there are two mind-blowing tropical pools. If that’s not enough to tire them out for bedtime, you can also hit the area’s largest private beach. Take some “parents only” time for yourselves at the full-service European spa, and dine at the modern American bistro, Aquario.
butterflyworld.com
flamingogardens.org
lagomar.com
