5 Can’t Miss Camping Spots in the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Want to get off the grid but don’t know where to start? Check out these prime locations to escape into nature for a few days – or more!
From gazing at the nighttime sky to sitting around the campfire eating s’mores and telling stories, there’s no better way to get your nature fix than by going camping. Luckily for you, the Florida Wildlife Corridor’s 18 million acres offer the perfect place to do just that.
Here are five places that’ll help you get your Live Wildly fix:
Blackwater River State Park
This park located just northeast of Pensacola offers an incredible array of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, many centered around its namesake waterway.
Camp Wildly
- 30 different campground sites
- Surrounded by longleaf pine, magnolia and Atlantic white cedar trees
- Accommodates everything from tents to 50-foot RVs
- Access to electric and sewer hookups, and potable water
Enjoy the sand beaches along the banks or spend the day floating down the river — canoe, kayak and tube rentals are available if you don’t have your own. And keep your eyes peeled if you want to spot the resident river otters, beavers or herons. When you’re ready to get back on land, two loop trails offer nice hikes through the river floodplain and longleaf pine ecosystems.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Located between Orlando and Miami, this park features a breathtaking expanse of infinite grassland dominated by blue sky.
Camp Wildly:
- 35 different campground sites
- Features largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie
- Home to many threatened and endangered species
The preserve is a particularly good place for bird-watching and photographers seeking out our winged friends. Experience the Florida wilderness first hand and have a chance to gaze at the night sky. In fact, the park was one of the first officially designated Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark Sky Association.
St. George Island State Park
Situated on a barrier island fronting historic Apalachicola Bay, this park southwest of Tallahassee hosts miles of undeveloped beaches, crystal clear blue waters and countless opportunities for shelling and beachcombing.
Camp Wildly:
- 60 different campground sites
- Surrounded by historic dunes and pine flatwoods
- Access to electricity, water hookups, concrete pads and walkways
- Two carry-in, carry-out sites available
Live Wildly Tip: While this park hasn’t yet earned a Dark Sky designation, there’s still a large observation platform built just for this purpose.
Looking to go off the grid with 11 of your closest friends? Try primitive camping at Gap Point, only accessible by foot, via the 2.5-mile Gap Point Trail, or by canoe, kayak or other shallow hulled vessels. Keep in mind – there’s no restrooms, fresh water, or other amenities at these two campsites!
Collier-Seminole State Park
Home to one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world, this park is a tropical outpost on the edge of the Everglades. Just 95 miles west from Miami, it’s home to one of three original stands of royal palms across the state.
Camp Wildly:
- 104 different campground sites
- Access to electricity and water hookups
- Accommodates everything from tents for hikes to motorhomes
Live Wildly Tip: Some parts of the three-mile trail to get there are muddy all year long – trek wildly!
Several trails allow you to experience this park on both land and water, and there are also opportunities for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Originally one of the nation’s largest incomplete public works projects, this 110-mile linear park spans Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River.
Camp Wildly:
- Four different campground sites
- Accommodates everyone from RVers to tent campers
- Features a land bridge to cross over I-75.
- The original project looked to construct a canal connecting the Gulf to the Atlantic, fierce opposition from Marjorie Harris Carr led to the conservation of this land
More than a mile wide in some spots, the Cross Florida Greenway features over 300 miles of trails for biking, hiking, mountain biking, paddling and horseback riding.
Have a favorite corridor camping spot you want to share? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @LiveWildlyFL!
