Tag: STATE PARK

Florida State Park Bucket List

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date May 27, 2023
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Florida has an impressive 175 State Parks and we’ve compiled them all together to create the Florida State Park Bucket List. Our goal is to visit all of Florida’s State Parks and share our experiences with you.

The parks in bold are ones that we have visited, and the ones that are hyperlinked are ones we have written about in-depth here on 5 Suitcases. The parks are listed in alphabetical order.

Florida State Park Bucket List

Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park
Alafia River State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
Amelia Island State Park
Anastasia State Park
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Atlantic Ride Preserve State Park
Avalon State Park
Bahia Honda State Park
Bald Point State Park
Baseline Road Trailhead
Beker-South Fork
Beker-Wingate Creek State Park
Big Lagoon State Park
Big Shoals State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Blackwater Heritage State Trail
Blackwater River State Park

Blue Spring State Park
Buckman Lock- St. Johns Loop North & South
Bulow Creek State Park
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Caladesi Island State Park
Camp Helen State Park
Cayo Costa State Park
Cedar Key Museum State Park
Cedar Key Scrub State Preserve
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
Collier-Seminole State Park

Colt Creek State Park
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Curry Hammock State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
De Leon Springs State Park
Deer Lake State Park
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Don Pedro Island State Park
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
Dunnellon Trail

Dunns Creek State Park
Econfina River State Park
Eden Gardens State Park
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Egmont Key State Park
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Eureka West Recreation Area
Plantation Historic State Park
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Falling Waters State Park
Fanning Springs State Park
Faver-Dykes State Park
Felburn Park
Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park
Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
Forest Capital Museum State Park

Fort Clinch State Park
Fort Cooper State Park
Fort Foster State Historic Site
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Fort Mose Historic State Park
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Gasparilla Island State Park
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
Haw Creek Preserve State Park
Henderson Beach State Park
Highlands Hammock State Park
Hillsborough River State Park
Historic Santos Recreation Area
Honeymoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Indian Key Historic State Park
Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park
Inglis Bypass Recreation Area
Inglis Dam & Island Recreation Area
Inglis Lock Recreation Area
John D. Macarthur Beach State Park
John Gorrie Museum State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Johnathan Dickinson State Park
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble

Kenwood Recreation Area
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Koreshan State Park
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
Lake Griffin State Park
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Lake Louisa State Park
Lake Manatee State Park
Lake Talquin State Park
Landbridge Trailhead
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Little Manatee River State Park
Little Talbot Island State Park

Long Key State Park
Lovers Key State Park
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site
Madison Blue Spring State Park
Manatee Springs State Park
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
Marjory Stoneman Douglas House

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Mound Key Archaeological State Park
Myakka River State Park
Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
Nature Coast State Trail
North Peninsula State Park
O’Leno State Park
Ochlockonee River State Park
Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Oleta River State Park
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
Orman House Historic State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park
Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail
Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail
Paynes Creek Historic State Park
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Perdido Key State Park
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Price’s Scrub State Park
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park
Ravine Gardens State Park
River Rise Preserve State Park
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
Rodman Campground
Rodman Recreation Area
Ross Prairie Trailhead & Campground
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
Santos Trailhead & Campground
Savannas Preserve State Park
Seabranch Preserve State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Shangri-la Trailhead & Campground
Silver Springs State Park
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
St. Andrews State Park
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
St. Marks River Preserve State Park
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

St. Teresa Tract of Bald Point State Park
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Stump Pass Beach State Park
Suwannee River State Park
Suwannee River Wilderness State Trail
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Three Rivers State Park
Tomoka State Park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Torreya State Park
Troy Spring State Park
Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Werne-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park
William J “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
Withlachoochee Bay Trail
Withlachoochee State Trail
Ybor City Museum State Park
Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park

Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park

25/75 visited

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How to See Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date April 8, 2023
No Comments on How to See Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

Seeing manatees at Blue Spring State Park is high on many people’s bucket list. If it’s not on yours, it most definitely should be! Seeing manatees at Blue Spring State Park is such an amazing and unique experience. In this post, we’ll give you all of our best tips for making sure you spot these gentle giants during your visit!

6 Tips for Seeing Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

Plan on visiting during the cold months. On cold days, manatees leave the river and head to the springs where the water temperature is warmer. The springs maintain a consistent year-round temperature of 72 degrees.

Consider visiting on a weekday. Even during the winter, the springs get pretty packed. The manatees at Blue Spring State Park are pretty popular! If you visit during the week, it’ll be a lot less crowded, which not only makes getting into the park easier, but it also makes viewing them a little more enjoyable. If you go on a weekend, you might feel rushed.

Check Facebook. Each morning, an employee hops in a kayak and counts how many manatees there are in the spring run. Then, the staff posts the number of the Blue Spring State Park Facebook Page. The number can range anywhere from 0 to hundreds of manatees. At the time of publication, the highest number of manatees counted in the run was 729 on 1/17/23. We visited just 2 days before and saw 625 manatees!

My rule of thumb for this is, if the weather has been cool for a couple of days, it’s a pretty safe bet that there will be several manatees in the run. I check the numbers the day before and plan my trip for the next day.

Get there early. Honestly, if you wait until they post the number of manatees on Facebook, you may end up getting there too late. People drive from all over to get a glimpse of the manatees and the park often reaches capacity by 10:00 (sometimes earlier). Plan on getting to the park close to 8 am (when it opens). Once all of the parking spots are filled up, the parks moves to a one out, one in system.

Let Your Eyes Adjust. Once you get to the park, it may take a moment for you to spot the manatees. Their grayish color allows them to blend into their surroundings or the shadows. Your best bet is to look in the areas where the sun is hitting the water.

Manatees come up for air every 5 minutes. You’ll see them slowly start to surface, stick their adorable little noses out of the water and take a breath before going back under.

Often times, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of manatees playing near fallen trees.

Go beyond the dock. Most people go out on to the metal dock that is closest to the parking lot and picnic area. Following the boardwalk to the left, heading towards the river, to scope out other vantage points. You can even head down to the kayak launch to try to get a glimpse of the gentle giants.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Blue Spring State Park is equally as magically during the summer! It’s one of our favorite swimming holes here in Florida. The natural lazy river is perfect for floating on a humid summer day.

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Big Talbot Island State Park- Pure, Untouched Beauty

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date October 22, 2022
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Big Talbot Island State Park is one of Jacksonville’s best-kept secrets. It is an amazing place to visit for shelling, hiking, biking, paddling, and boating. It is home to one of Florida’s most stunning (and unique!) shorelines. The beaches in this park showcase massive sun-bleached driftwood trees and mars-like rock formations both of which are popular with photographers.

Pro-Tip: Swimming is not recommended at these beaches due to the strong current. There is also no lifeguard.

History of Big Talbot Island

Fishing has been a popular attraction here for thousands of years. This island was once home to Florida’s indigenous people, the Timucua. Evidence of Florida’s most ancient residents can be seen in shell mounds or ancient piles of oyster shell and food refuse.

General James Oglethorpe (aka the dude that founded Georgia) named the islands (both Big Talbot and Little Talbot) in honor of Charles Baron Talbot, Lord High Chancellor of England. He sounds pretty important, eh? Big Talbot Island was once home to at least two plantations. The plantations grew oranges, sugar, indigo and cotton. Prominent plantation owners in this region were Spicer Christopher (on the north end of the island), John Houston (on the south end of the island), John McQueen, and Zephaniah Kingsley on present day Fort George Island).

Fun Fact: A team of University of North Florida’s archaeologists are excavating the island. It is believed that the island was also home to the Mocama people.

Big Talbot Island Visiting Information

Hours: 8 am until sundown, 365 days a year. The boat ramp is open 24 hours a day.

Fees: $2 for the fishing pier, $3 per vehicle entrance

Experiences and Amenities

Bicycling- The park offers several miles of paved an unpaved trails. A newly completed 4-mile paved trail winds through the maritime forest and overlooks the surrounding wetlands. The new trail connects preexisting trails to form a greenway connected to the nearby parks.

Boating- There are numerous tidal creeks along the Intracoastal Waterway that are easily accessible via canoes, kayaks, and even power boats. Simpson’s Creek and Myrtle Creek are popular waterways in the region. Launch from the north end of the island to access the Nassau Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

Fishing- The saltwater marsh surrounding the island offers some of the best fishing in the area. Enjoy snagging a redfish, sea trout, whiting, flounder, black drum, etc. The bridge at Simpson Creek is a popular fishing spot.

You can also fish from a pier for a fee of $2 per person.

Hiking- The park has an abundance of trails including:

Shoreline Trail- provides access to Boneyard Beach and the Nassau Sound.
Black Rock Trail– (our favorite!) a trail that winds through the maritime hammock and empties into a one-of-a-kind beach.
Old Kings Highway Trail and Jones Cut Trail- unrefined trails that travel through a lush maritime hammock.
Timucuan Trail- a paved 3-mile multi-use trail that is perfect for families with bikes or strollers!

Paddling– Conveniently located between Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island you’ll find Kayak Amelia, the official outfitter for the parks. Kayak Amelia offers kayak and canoe rentals and guided tours.

East Coast Greenway

The Timucuan Trail runs through Big Talbot Island State Park. This trail is a small portion of a large trail network known as the East Coast Greenway. The greenway connects the park to Amelia Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park.

The Greenway is part of a large network of trails connecting 15 states, 450 cities and towns and running from Maine to Florida. It runs from the Canadian border down to the Florida Keys! Holy crap, right?

Our Big Talbot Island Essentials

Beach Wagon– great for navigating in the sand
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

What is there to do nearby?

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated: 3/5/2024

Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, STATE PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

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Fort George Island Cultural State Park- 5000 Years of Remarkable History

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date August 13, 2022
No Comments on Fort George Island Cultural State Park- 5000 Years of Remarkable History

Kingsley Plantation main house and walkway to the kitchen.

Fort George Island State Cultural State Park is located in Jacksonville, Florida about 3 miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park. The state park is home to the historic Ribault Inn Club which now serves as the island’s visitor center.

Fort George Island is part of the Talbot Island state park family. Much of the land in this part of Jacksonville is protected as preserves, state parks, and national parks. Although Florida is such a flat state, the island is home to the highest point on the Atlantic Coast south of New Jersey.

Despite it’s name, Fort George Island was never actually home to a fort. It was named after a fort from colonial Georgia. It has, however, been the site of human occupation for more than 5,000 years. On the island you’ll find pre-historic oyster mounds, a historic plantation, remnants of a slave quarter, tabby house ruins, and one of the most popular recreational clubs from the Roaring 20s.

History of Fort George Island

The island was known as Alicamani, a major village of the Timucua chiefdom. Their presence can still be seen in the many oyster shell mounds that dot the landscape.

Later, the island served as the home to the Spanish mission of San Juan del Puerto. The mission was founded before 1587 at the mouth of the St. Johns River. The Franciscan mission served the Saturiwa, a Timucua tribe. The tribe was split into nine smaller villages where the missionaries studied the Timucua language. The Spanish abandoned the mission in the early 1700s due to raids from the Native Americans.

The most notorious site on the island is Kingsley Plantation– the oldest standing plantation in the state of Florida. The plantation was held by Zephaniah Kingsley for 25 years. Visitors examine the main house, kitchen, and several tabby slave quarters.

Another prominent feature on Fort George Island is the Ribault Club. This colonial revival was built in 1928 for winter recreation. The site was used for golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, and yachting for prominent people. The club suffered during the Great Depression and eventually closed its doors. The Ribault Club now serves as the Visitor’s Center.

Visiting Fort George Island Cultural State Park

The park is open from 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year.

The Ribault Club is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 AM until 5 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

There are no fees to enjoy this state park.

What is there to do at Fort George Island?

Bicycling– The Fairway Loop Trail is 4.4 miles long and is made up of paved road and hard-packed gravel. There is another 3-mile biking/hiking trail that covers the interior of the former golf course.
Boating- This is a huge party spot for boaters. You can also launch a kayak or canoe.
Fishing

Hiking- There is a 3-mile biking/hiking trail that covers the interior of the former golf course. On the trail you’ll see one of the tallest dunes on the eastern seaboard, Mount Cornelia (the largest point south of New Jersey). About 3/4 a mile north of the clubhouse, the trail comes to a T-junction. If you head right, you’ll spot Point Isabel, a historic fortified inlet where goods were ferried to and from the plantations. If you head left at the T, you’ll meet up with a National Park Service trail that leads to the historic Kingsley Plantation.

Fun Fact: Fort George Island is home to Jacksonville’s most popular sand bar. It’s truly a boater’s paradise! The sandbar is only accessible by water and every weekend during the summer you can find a few hundred boats rafted up. There is an awesome place to soak up the sun, enjoy the sandy beaches, and the cool water.

What is there to do Nearby?

Big Talbot Island State Park
Little Talbot Island State Park
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Huguenot Park

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Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, STATE PARK, UNITED STATES

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Stunning Anastasia State Park

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date July 16, 2022
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Anastasia State Park plays an important role in the history of St. Augustine- the oldest city in the United States. The park was once a coquina quarry that was mined to help construct the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Today, the site is home to Anastasia State Park, which has pretty much anything a beachgoer may be looking for: white quartz sand beaches, paddling, surfing, swimming, trails, wildlife, camping, bicycling, etc.

History of Anastasia State Park

In the 1500s, the Spanish crown laid claim to a vast area in the New World, including what is now known as Florida. The Spaniards struggled to establish a lasting presence in this area until in 1565 when Pedro Menendez founded St. Augustine. His settlement was about 30 miles south of a French settlement called Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River, in present day Jacksonville. Menendez was unaware the French had already settled in the area, and when he found out he aggressively worked to oust them.

The French Huguenot leader, Jean Ribault, learned of the Spanish presence and sailed south to search for their settlement. His ships were struck by a storm and most of the forces were lost at sea. At the same time, Menendez marched north and found Fort Caroline completely unprotected. The Spanish killed everyone but 50 women and 26 escapees. The French settlement in Florida came to a bloody end and the Spanish occupied the site as San Mateo until 1569.

When Menendez and his troops returned back to St. Augustine, he learned that Ribault and his troops were stranded south of the Spanish stronghold. He quickly located the remaining Frenchmen and murdered all but the Catholics and a handful of women. Hundreds of Huguenots died at the Massacre of Matanzas Inlet- just south of Anastasia Island State Park.

Ever since that dreadful day, the inlet where the massacre happened has been known as Matanzas meaning “slaughters” in Spanish. Fort Matanzas, the Matanzas River, and the Matanzas Inlet were all named after the massacre.

More than 300 years ago coquina quarries located within Anastasia State Park were teaming with workers hauling out blocks of coquina rock. The blocks were utilized to construct the historic Castillo de San Marcos, the crown jewel of St. Augustine.

The quarries were continuously used until the turn of the 20th century.

In the 1940s, the Army Corp of Engineers dredged a new inlet that would link the Matanzas Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. The area where they dredged traversed a peninsula which later became known as Conch Island. Since then, the tides and currents have carried sands from Jacksonville Beach down to the tip of the peninsula, causing it to double in size. Later, in 1964, Hurricane Dora deposited even more sand forming the area that we now know as Anastasia State Park.

Anastasia State Park is located near historic St. Augustine on Anastasia Island. It features a wide beach with a lagoon and is bordered by rich tidal marshes.

Today, visitors can visit the coquina quarry, an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to construct the nearby Castillo de San Marcos.

Amenities at Anastasia State Park

Bicycling– over 4 miles of beach and several miles or park roads (some with bike lanes). Bicycles are available for rent at the concession inside Anastasia State Park.
Boating
Camping- See below for more information
Fishing

Hiking
Paddling- Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are welcome along the Salt Run- the estuarine tidal marsh. Rentals are available at the concession inside the park.
Playgrounds
Surfing
Swimming

Camping at Anastasia State Park

The campground features 139 sites for both RVs (up to 38 feet) and tent camping. The sites are all nestled in a beautiful maritime hammock juts a short distance rom the beach.

All sites have electricity and water, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Some sites are paved.

Fun Fact: Travel + Leisure Magazine has included Anastasia State Park on its list of America’s Prettiest Beach Campsites.

Visiting Anastasia State Park

Hours: 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year

Fess: $8/vehicle

Location: 300 Anastasia Park Road
St. Augustine, FL 32080

What is there to do Nearby?

Castillo de San Marcos
Fort Matanzas
St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
Historic St. George Street
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Marineland
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

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Tags FLORIDA, ST. AUGUSTINE, STATE PARK, USA

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Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park- Where Wild Horses and Bison Roam Free

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date April 23, 2022
No Comments on Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park- Where Wild Horses and Bison Roam Free

The Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the most unique parks in the state of Florida. The park is well-known for being the home to alligators, wild horses, bison, and other creatures native to Florida. Be sure to stop by the Visitor’s Center to learn about the history of the area, the animals that call it home, and the people that once resided here. The Visitor’s Center also has a massive window that offer impressive views of the park. The 50-foot high observation tower, just behind the Visitor’s Center, is another great vantage point.

When we visited Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, we hiked a handful of trails searching for alligators, wild horses, and bison. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any luck. We did, however, see several deer, armadillos, turkeys, and countless birds.

We spent a lot of time in the Visitor’s Center where they had a surprisingly large amount of interactive features in their interpretative museum. The kids really enjoyed looking through the telescopes at the basin, playing in the kinetic sand to mimic erosion, and learning about the animals and people that called this savanna home.

We’re eager to return to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park to check out the north rim where we hope to spot some more of the park’s famed wildlife!

We strongly suggest visiting Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park during the winter or spring, when the weather is much cooler and the air is less humid. When you visit, be sure to pack plenty of water and bug spray.

Hiking at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

The park consists of eight different trails that provide opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Leashed pets are allowed on all of the trails with the exception of Bolens Bluff, Cones Dike, and La Chua. These trails have a large alligator population.

The La Chua Trail and Bolens Bluff may close before sunset when alligators are most active.

At the park, you’ll see plenty of warning signs about snakes. I know what you’re thinking- this is Florida, of course there are snakes! This is, after all, one of the most wild places in the Sunshine State.

In 2000, a zoology professor counted 765 snakes in just one visit to the park! That being said, I’m scared to death of snakes and I didn’t let that deter me. We didn’t see a single snake on our visit- but that’s probably because we travel with 3 very talkative kids 🙂

The North Rim vs the South Rim

The bluff at the north rim of Paynes Prairie is more pronounced. The star of the north rim is the La Chua Trail, which is known as one of the best places to see alligators in the wild. You’ll also probably have a better chance of spotting wild horses and bison here.

The south rim is where you’ll find the visitor center, observation tower, and many of the trails. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot the bison and wild horses from the observation tower just behind the Visitor’s Center.

Be sure to ask the rangers where they have spotted the bison and horses recently!

Visiting Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Main Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy
Phone: 352-466-3397

The main entrance is open from 8am until sunset, daily. The La Chua Trail and Bolens Bluff may close before sunset when alligators are most active.

What is there to do nearby?

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is located just outside of Gainesville in the town of Micanopy. Gainesville is a huge college town (Go Gators!) and has a ton of cool stuff to do. Some of our favorites include:

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Florida Museum of Natural History
The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park

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Florida Florida State Parks Jacksonville State Parks United States

Little Talbot Island State Park- Beautiful, Natural, Florida

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date April 9, 2022
2 Comments on Little Talbot Island State Park- Beautiful, Natural, Florida

Little Talbot Island State Park is located on a barrier island in Jacksonville, Florida. In fact, it is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands remaining in Northeast Florida. The park offers 5 miles of exquisite, pristine beaches and untouched natural beauty for visitors to explore. Little Talbot Island offers some of the best beaches in the region.

The park is a popular site for camping, kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, and spending the day at the beach. The state park is also home to river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats, and other fascinating wildlife.

Big Talbot Island State Park is situated directly north of Little Talbot Island. Years of erosion of Big Talbot Island and sand deposition on Little Talbot Island has actually led to Little Talbot becoming the larger of the two islands.

History

Native Americans were the first to hunt and fish these barrier islands. In 1562, when French Huguenots arrived, they called these indigenous people the Timucua. Over the next 200 years, the region was inhabited by the Native Americans, French, English, and Spanish before Florida officially became a state in 1845.

In 1735, General James Oglethorpe (the founder of Georgia) named the barrier islands the Talbot Islands in honor of Charles Talbot, Lord High Chancellor of England. Talbot was a lawyer and politician who served as the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1733 to 1737.

The land was acquired by the state in 1951 and opened as a park in 1952. This stunning corner of the city of Jacksonville is well protected and preserved by the local, state, and national park systems. Thanks to them, several miles of coastline, marshland, maritime forests, and woodland have been protected giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Sunshine State.

Park Experiences and Amenities

Bicycling– Bicycling can be enjoyed around the park, but we enjoy the 2.5 mile paved trail. The Park Drive Timucuan Trail is part of the Greenway Trail that goes from Florida to Maine. There’s also a new segment that connects to Huguenot Park.
Camping-This park is super popular for camping. There are 36 camp sites suited for both tent camping and RVs. The maximum length for campers and RVs is 30 feet. If you’re camping at the park, we suggest bringing your bikes along as the sites are 1/2 a mile or more from the beach.

Fishing- Little Talbot Island State Park offers 5 miles of beaches. It is a surf fishing paradise! Try your hand a snagging a flounder, black drum, mullet, sheepshead, bluefish, bass, or redfish.
Paddling- This is one of the most popular water activities in the Sunshine State. Long Island Outfitters provides canoe and kayak rentals as well as guided tours.

East Coast Greenway

The Timucuan Trail runs through Little Talbot Island State Park. This trail is a small portion of a large trail network known as the East Coast Greenway. The greenway connects the park to Huguenot Park and Big Talbot Island.

The Greenway is part of a large network of trails connecting 15 states, 450 cities and towns and running from Maine to Florida. It runs from the Canadian border all the way down to the Florida Keys!

Visiting Little Talbot Island State Park

Little Talbot Island State Park is open form 8 AM until unset 365 days a year.

The park is located at:
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32226

The cost to enter the park is $5 per vehicle.

Our Little Talbot Island Essentials

What is there to do nearby?

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Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, STATE PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

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12 Best Springs Near Orlando

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date March 19, 2022
No Comments on 12 Best Springs Near Orlando

Believe it or not, there is more to Orlando than Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, and SeaWorld. Orlando is home to a ton of natural attractions, too. Some of the best springs near Orlando make for the perfect day trip from this super busy city.

What better way to break up your days at the theme park than by spending some time in Florida’s crystal clear waters?

Florida is home to more than 1,000 natural springs. It has more natural springs than anywhere else on the planet! Not only are the springs drop-dead gorgeous, but they are super relaxing! The springs are home to some of Florida’s iconic wildlife such as manatees, turtles, otters, and yes…alligators.

The springs near Orlando were Florida’s original tourist attraction. People would migrate from the north to relax in the cool Florida waters. Silver Springs and de Leon Springs were once some of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States.

Today the springs offer visitors a space to swim, relax on an innertube, kayak, paddleboard, canoe, snorkel, scuba dive, and even enjoy a boat tour.

While some of these springs are near Orlando, others require a little bit of a longer drive. The great thing about some of these springs is that you can often hit more than one spring a day. For instance, Alexander Springs and DeLeon Springs are really close to each other. You could easily hit one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. No matter which spring you choose, you seriously cannot go wrong. All of them make a perfect day trip from Orlando.

12 Best Springs Near Orlando

Wekiwa Springs State Park

It’s amazing to think that this gorgeous natural wonder is just 14 miles from downtown Orlando. Wekiwa Springs State Park has fabulous emerald waters, lush tropical hammocks, and miles of trails for your to explore.

The entrance fee is $6 per vehicle. Like many of the nearby springs, it’s suggested that you arrive early as the springs tend to hit capacity early in the day.

The park is popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and simply floating on an innertube.

You could easily spend the day at the theme park and unwind in the crisp cool water in the afternoon.

Kelly Park/Rock Springs

Kelly Park/Rock Springs is 31 miles from Orlando. This stunning oasis has some of the most gorgeous crystal clear water. Kelly Park is a nature park that is popular for hiking, swimming, and camping. The lazy river run for Rock Springs starts in Kelly Park and continues over 8 miles outside of the park.

The cost for Kelly Park is $3 for a car of 2 people or $5 for 3-8 people. The park is super popular on warm days so we strongly suggest getting there early. The park often reaches capacity early. This is truly one of the best springs near Orlando! We cannot wait to explore this park!

Blue Spring State Park

34 miles outside of Orlando, you’ll find one of our favorite hangouts- Blue Spring State Park. This park is extremely popular on hot days so plan on getting there early!

What makes it so popular, you might ask? Not only is it close to the city, but it is literally the most perfect place in the world for tubing. The natural lazy river is incredibly refreshing- especially during the heat of summer.

The park is also popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddling, hiking, and biking.

The entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. The park offers inner tube rentals at the park.

The park is equally impressive during the winter months. When the thermometer drops, the park becomes a sanctuary for manatees. You can expect to see anywhere between 25 and 500 manatees in the springs!

De Leon Springs State Park

46 miles miles away, you’ll find one of our favorite springs near Orlando! De Leon Springs State Park is another site that was once a popular tourist destination. The site was once home to the Ponce de Leon Springs Hotel and Casino which was popular with wealthy northern visitors.

By the 1950s the site featured tropical gardens, a jungle cruise, a tram tour, oh yeah… and a water skiing elephant.

While the days of water skiing elephants are long gone, this place is still pretty rad. It features a unique restaurant where you make your own pancakes, and a swimming hole the resembles a swimming pool.

There are so eco-boat tours available where you can see what the park looks like from the river without having to get wet.

If you don’t mind getting wet, you can rent a kayak or canoe (or bring your own) and hit the water. The cost to enter the park is $6 per vehicle. This unique park is one of the best springs near Orlando and definitely worth the visit!

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs is one of the largest and most accessible springs in the state. It is the perfect place for families with young children. Alexander Springs is 59 miles away from downtown is truly one of the best springs near Orlando.

The park is well known for camping, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and paddling. The launch site really close to the swimming hole so it is easy to go back and forth between the two.

Entrance fees are $7/person on weekdays and $10/person on weekends.

Juniper Springs

68 miles from Orlando, you’ll find one of the most picturesque kayak trails in Florida. The seven-mile route will take your breath away. Juniper Springs is idea for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and hiking. Paddling is popular year round, so don’t feel like visits are limited to just the warm months.

The cost to enter the park is $7/person on weekdays and $10/person on weekends. There is a launching fee of $10/watercraft.

Silver Glen Springs

69 miles outside of Orlando you’ll find Silver Glen Springs. Trust us, this park is well worth the drive! The aquamarine water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and floating. The water here is super clear and shallow making it perfect for children.

Like Blue Spring, it is also a refuge for manatee during the winter months.

Admission is $6 per person.

Silver Springs State Park

Although this park is 80 miles outside of the city, you should still definitely consider visiting it! Silver Springs State Park was one the state’s first tourist attractions and one of the most unique springs near Orlando.

In the 1950s, more than 800,000 people a year would visit the park! The park is famous for its glass bottom boats and kayaking trail. It is also known for being the winter home to manatees.

We suggest taking the glass bottom boat tour as soon as you enter the park, it’s a great way to get acquainted with the area. The cost of the boat tour is $12 for adults.

Although there is no swimming permitted, the park is perfect for paddling. The park offers rentals, or you can pack your own vessel. The cost to launch is $4/vessel. There is also an entrance fee of $2/person.

Rainbow Springs State Park

The name alone makes us want to check this place out! 83 miles away from Orlando you’ll find one of the most stunning springs the state has to offer. The water here is sapphire blue and the swimming area is massive! The park features some of the best hiking trails in Florida and features man-made waterfalls and beautiful natural gardens.

The park is popular for hiking, snorkeling, tubing, paddling, and swimming. The cost to enter is $2/person.

Salt Springs

Salt Springs is one of the jewels of the Ocala National Forest. Located just 85 miles from the city, this unique spring is home to freshwater and saltwater fish. Blue crabs, turtles, and manatees also call these springs home. Swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and hiking are all popular here. Admission is $7 /person.

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Gilchrist Blue Springs was rated the #1 Florida spring by our Instagram followers. 136 miles away from Orlando, you’ll find Florida’s newest state park- Gilchrist Blue Springs. The park is known for paddling, swimming, and snorkeling.

There are kayaks and canoes available to rent on the site. If you go out for a paddle, be sure to wander past the ropes that mark off the swimming hole. The river is absolutely remarkable!

The cost to enter is $4 to $6 per vehicle. If you make the drive from Orlando, we suggest also making a stop at nearby Poe Springs and Rum Island Springs to make the drive worth your while! These are also great places to check out in the event that the park is at capacity when you arrive.

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is 138 miles outside of Orlando, making it just over 2 hours away. You would definitely need to dedicate an entire day to visiting this state park. Ginnie Springs advertises itself as a “true slice of pure Florida”. It is made up of seven springs and several caves. These caves make the spring one of the most unique freshwater diving spots in the world. Aside from diving, the springs are also popular for tubing, paddling, swimming, snorkeling, and hiking.

Admission ranges between $15-$20/adult depending on the season. Children ages 5-12 are $5. Although this site is the furthest from Orlando, it is definitely worth the drive!

Are There Alligators in the Springs?

There is always the possibility of seeing an alligator in a fresh body of water. In fact, as Floridians we just assume that they are lurking around.

However, alligators don’t tend to like all of the splishing and splashing. Think of them as cranky old people. They’ll try to stay as far away from humans as possible.

Our Spring Essentials

We hope this list compels you to get out there and explore the springs near Orlando! After all, there’s much more to the Sunshine State than theme parks! Grab a towel and a bathing suit, and get out there and explore the natural side of Florida!

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Tags FLORIDA, orlando, SPRINGS, STATE PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

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The Magical Silver Springs State Park

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date January 22, 2022
9 Comments on The Magical Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is home to one of America’s largest and most-loved springs. The park is famous for its Glass Bottom Boats and its kayaking trail. Silver Springs State Park is perfect for leisurely walks, hikes, kayaking, paddle boarding, and camping. It is the perfect day trip from most major north and central Florida cities.

From the moment that you pull into Silver Springs State Park, you know that this place is totally different than most of the nearly 1000 Florida springs. There is a massive theme park-esque sign that welcomes you to the park.

The History of Silver Springs

Native Americans were known to use the river as a food source as far back as 1500 (but probably before then). Evidence of their presence can be found at the bottom of the Silver River in the form of a 500+ year old sunken dugout canoe.

Spanish explorer Hernado de Soto is thought o have been the first European to discover the area.

Years later, it became one of Florida’s first tourist attractions. In the 1950s, more than 800,000 people a year would visit the park! The main entrance to the park is a reminder of this former roadside attraction.

Silver Springs was classified as a national natural landmark in 1971 and was acquired by the state of Florida in 2013.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

The Glass Bottom Boat Tour is sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your visit. Glass Bottom Boat tours began in 1878! Not only are the boat captains totally hilarious, they are also incredibly knowledgeable. Our tour took us past 4 spring heads, an impressive 400+ year old sunken dugout canoe, and down the Silver River. We saw manatee, alligators, turtles, fish, and birds, as we heard stories about the history of Silver Springs State Park. The Glass Bottom Boat tour was a great introduction to the park.

The cost of the boat tour is $12 for adults.

Pro-Tip: There is no swimming at Silver Springs State Park. The springs are best experienced via Glass Bottom Boat Tours, kayak, or paddle board.

Rentals

The park offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.

One Hour Paddle Rental- $20
Two Hour Paddle Rental- $30
Full Day Paddle Rental- $35
Full Day Paddle Rental with Shuttle Service- This option is great for more experienced paddlers. After journeying 5 miles downstream, you’ll be shuttled back to Silver Springs State Park. $40
2 Hour Guided Paddling Tour- Prices vary

The Monkeys of Silver Springs

About 100 years ago, an eccentric boat captain released rhesus macaques monkeys on an island within the parks grounds in an attempt to create a Tarzan themed tourist attraction.

The monkeys were able to swim and escaped the island. Today, an estimated 176 monkeys call the Silver River home. Since the monkeys are known to carry disease, the park is working on relocated the monkeys elsewhere.

Visiting Silver Springs State Park

Physical Address:

Silver Springs State Park
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd
Silver Springs, FL 34488

Entry Fees:

$2 per person. Children 6 and under a free.

The park is open 365 days a year from 8 am dark.

Know Before You Go

There is no swimming or tubing at Silver Springs State Park. If you want to tube, we suggest checking out Blue Spring State Park, Kelly Park, or Ichetucknee State Park.
There is a launch fee of $4 per vessel (+$2 per person admission) if you bring your own kayak, canoe, or SUP.

Are There Alligators in the Springs?

Something visitors need to understand about Florida is that alligators can be found in any fresh body of water. Our state is home to more than a million alligators that live in lakes, rivers, marshes, canals, springs, and even ponds at places like Disney and golf courses. There is always the possibility of seeing an alligator in a fresh body of water. In fact, as Floridians we just assume that they are lurking around. However, alligators don’t tend to like all of the splishing and splashing. Think of them as cranky old people. They’ll try to stay as far away from humans as possible.

Are there Manatees at Silver Springs?

Yes! Your best chance for manatee sighting is in the winter months. Because the springs maintain a constant temperature of 72 degrees, the manatees tend to leave the cold river for the warmer spring waters.

What is there to do Nearby?

The park is an excellent base for exploring the Ocala National Forest. Be sure to check out Juniper Springs (30 mins away), Alexander Springs (45 mins away), and De Leon Springs (50 mins away).

Our Spring Essentials

Floats and Rafts

SportsStuff Noodler 2
River Run Inflatable American Flag 2 Person Tube Float with Cooler
Giant Flamingo Float
Giant Unicorn Float

More Fun Stuff!

Inflatable Kayak
Inflatable Paddleboard (I swear by this one!)
Full-Face Snorkel Mask

Safety

Puddle Jumper Vest
Swim Vest
First Aid Kit

Skin Care & Insect Repellent

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Towels & Swim Suits

Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s Boardshorts
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

Closing Thoughts

We absolutely loved our time at Silver Springs State Park. Our biggest regret was that we didn’t take our paddle board and kayak. The kids already started planning our return trip before we even left the park. I have a feeling we’ll be visiting again, very soon!

Save a Pin and Start Planning Your Adventure

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated: 5/5/2022

Tags FLORIDA, SPRINGS, STATE PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

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The Impressive Etowah Indian Mounds- The Remains of an Ancient Civilization

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date December 25, 2021
No Comments on The Impressive Etowah Indian Mounds- The Remains of an Ancient Civilization

Did you know that the remains of an ancient settlement are hidden in the hills of rural Georgia? If you find yourself in the Atlanta area, we strongly suggest making the trip to the Etowah Indian Mounds. The Etowah Indian Mounds are an archaeological site located in Cartersville, Georgia. The mounds are what remains of the ancient civilization that once called this area “home”. Between 1000 AD and 1550 AD, thousands of indigenous people resided on this 54-acre site. The site features six earthen mounds, a plaza, a village site, borrow pits, and a moat.

The Etowah Indian Mounds are the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast. On site, there is a museum that showcases how the indigenous people once lived. Their shell beads, paint, ornate hairdos, and jewelry indicate that this was a well-to-do society.

Amazingly, less than 10% of the site has been excavated. It’ll be interesting to see what historians unearth about this sacred site in the future!

We really enjoyed exploring this park. Our favorite part was ascending the mounds! The views were absolutely breathtaking and reminded us of climbing the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich in Belize. In fact, the mounds themselves are very similar to Maya pyramids.

So... what are these mounds all about?

The indigenous people of North America built mounds like these for over a thousand years. Archaeologists have uncovered mounds that date beach to the Archaic Period (8000-1000 BC).

The indigenous people would hold religious ceremonies on top of these four-sided mounds. The mounds also supported the tribal leaders homes, temples, and other residences. Mounds were also used to contain the remains of the dead.

The History of the Etowah Indian Mounds and the Mississippian People

For more than 800 years, the Mississippian culture dominated the southeastern and midwestern United States. The culture, which originated in the Mississippi River Valley, expanded from Texas, to Illinois, and to North Carolina. These early people built impressive earth mounds as a testimony of their power.

The Etowah Indian Mounds are the really impressive. There are three primary mounds and three secondary mounds. Mound A is the second largest mound in the United States! It is as tall as a 6-story building. Archaeologists believe that Mound A was where the chief lived, Mound B served as a spot for religious rituals, and Mound C was a burial site for the elite.

The largest mound is the Cahokia, located in Illinois. It’s remarkable to think that the Mississippian culture spanned the length of the United States! The Cahokia Mounds are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Mississippians were also known for their shell-tempered pottery and their widespread trade networks (that extended as far west as the Rocky Mountains).

Etowah Indian Mounds Visiting Information

Address

813 Indian Mounds Road SE
Cartersville, GA
30120

Historic Site Admission

Adults (18–61): $6.00
Seniors (62+): $5.00
Youth (6–17): $4.00
Youth Groups: $3.50
Children (under 6): $2.00

The site is open 7 days a week from 9-5. The mounds area closes at 4:30 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

The park offers a self-guided tour that begins in the Visitors Center. A short video details the history of the mounds. From here, visitors can explore the artifacts on display in the museum before heading out to the mounds.

The walk from the Visitor’s Center to the mounds is short and easy. On the way, you’ll pass borrow pits, a wattle and daub house, a dugout canoe, and the area that was believed to be the plaza.

If you’re able, you should most definitely hike the steps up to the top of Mound A for impressive views of the countryside (and the other mounds). It can be quite strenuous but, the hike up to the top is worth it, if you’re able.

After you visit the mounds, head towards the Etowah River. If you turn left and head alongside the river, you can see the remains of a fish dam trap. Here, rocks form a V shape at the center of the river. A trap would be placed at the tip of the V. Fish would get trapped in this space which allowed them to be easily caught.

Pro-Tip: There are benches on the riverbank overlooking the Etowah River. This is a great spot for a picnic!

In 1964, Etowah was named a National Historic Site and is a sacred place for the Cherokee and Creek- descendants of the original inhabitants.

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks

Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.