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D.Bernstein
Bayou boater
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Michael Titus Florida State Parks
Pink Perfection Camellia
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens
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Grayton Beach
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Pathway to sunrise - Grayton Beach
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Vera Jordan Florida State Parks
Henderson Beach
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Natural Bridge Battlefield
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Millican dunes and beach
By Cherie Graves
Cool nights and warm, sunny days make winter an ideal time to explore Florida’s panhandle state parks.
In the 320 km (200 mi) between Pensacola and Tallahassee, state park visitors will find Native American ceremonial mounds, museums, formal gardens, historic homes, a United States Civil War battle site, miles of trails and rivers, acres of lakes, an abundance of wildlife and Florida’s “winter white” - miles of Gulf Coast beaches.
Fourteen state parks in Florida’s panhandle have campgrounds or other overnight accommodations. Nearly two dozen additional parks make excellent day-trip destinations. Though 40-degree nights and 60-degree days may not be considered a proper winter by those from latitudes north of Florida, no snow, no ice, no crowds, no mosquitoes - combined with a variety of natural settings in which to park an RV - make Florida’s panhandle a winter wonderland. Listed below are twelve ways to “frolic and play” in Florida’s winter wonderland.
Hike Florida’s “mountain.” The topographic variation in Torreya State Park is extreme in contrast to other regions of the state, with elevations ranging from 50 to 262 feet above mean sea level. More than 24 km (15 mi) of trails wind through river swamps, steephead ravine and high pinelands at Torreya. Bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River, a restored plantation house and the rare species of Torreya tree make this park an excellent day-trip or camping destination
Go to the beach. Florida’s winter white can be found on its Gulf coast sandy shores. Henderson Beach, Topsail Hill, Grayton Beach, St. Andrews, St. Joseph Peninsula and St. George Island state parks are ideal for beach lovers and shell seekers. Campgrounds at each of these parks include water, electric hookups, picnic table, fire ring, and glorious sunrises and sunsets.
Fish. Boat ramps and piers at several state parks invite anglers to cast their lines and reel in dinner. Deer Lake, Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill, Ochlockonee River, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou, Econfina River and Camp Helen provide access to both saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. Fresh seafood is also available at local markets and restaurants, usually less than an hour’s drive from any of the state parks. Ask a park ranger for recommendations and directions.
Launch a canoe or kayak. Enjoy a paddling excursion on one of north Florida’s lakes or rivers. Pack a lunch and picnic along the river’s sandy banks at Blackwater River or explore a salt marsh where the Econfina River meets the Gulf of Mexico. Some parks offer rental equipment, so visitors need not own a canoe or kayak to enjoy the rivers and lakes.
Explore a cave. Be dazzled by stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations at Florida Caverns. For chiropterologists, the park is of particular interest because it’s a hangout for one of the most imperiled mammals in the state - the gray bat (Myotis grisescens). At last count, the gray bat hibernates in only two caves in Florida, one of the caves is located in the park, the second cave is located less than 60 m (200 ft) south of the park’s boundary.
Visit a garden. Ornamental gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens were first planted in 1923 and feature a picturesque brick walkway, a secret garden, a reflection pool, a walled garden and hundreds of camellias and azaleas. The garden is particularly lively in winter, when thousands of camellia blooms add colour to winter’s green.
Tour historic homes. Experience the elegance of the Old South with a tour of historic homes at Torreya, Apalachicola’s Orman House and Eden Gardens. The home at Eden Gardens holds the second largest known collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States.
Search for carnivorous pitcher plants. The rare, carnivorous white-top pitcher plant is unique to the Gulf Coast and found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi rivers. Visitors to Yellow River Marsh and Tarkiln Bayou can spot these and other rare plant species in their native wet prairie habitat.
Tour Native American ceremonial mounds. More than eight centuries ago, Native Americans inhabited the area around Lake Jackson. The village at the base of these mounds was a cultural, religious and population center in 1100-1200 AD.
Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, built between 1100 and 1800 years ago, can be seen at Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park. Both parks are located near Tallahassee, the state’s capital city.
Tour a U.S. Civil War battle site. At Natural Bridge Battlefield, volunteers from the Tallahassee area repelled Union forces in 1865. Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not captured by the Union. Every March, re-enactors bring the battle to life for park visitors.
Watch wildlife. Thousands of birds and butterflies migrate through the region every spring and fall, and many overwinter in the Florida Panhandle. Gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons and other native wildlife also inhabit Florida’s state parks.
Build a campfire. After a day of hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, paddling or fishing, back up to the cozy warmth of a campfire or cabin fireplace while planning the next day’s visit to a neighboring state park.
To reserve a campsite or cabin, call Reserve America at 800-326-3521 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. To learn more about Florida State Parks, ranger programs and special events visit FloridaStateParks.org.