Adventurist Sara’s Biased Guide to Vanlife in Wild Florida

Live Wildly is all about connecting people to nature, and as a vanlifer who loves traveling in wild Florida, I thought I’d share some of my favorite van-friendly spots for adventures here in the Sunshine State.

If you’re just getting to know Live Wildly through Peace Love and Vans – welcome! I’m so glad that you’re here. Be sure to come find me this weekend at the Live Wildly hangout zone by the main stage. I’m also leading a hiking tour of Withlacoochee River Park on Saturday at 10:00 am and a workshop on The Power of Storytelling for Wild Places on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gainesville

I love big landscapes, and of all the places that I’ve seen in Florida, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the most expansive stretches of wild that is open to the public. Climbing up the 50-foot observation tower to look out across the Great Alachua Savannah is both a treat and a surprise.

While in Gainesville, be sure to check out:

• Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park: Farm of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, preserved as it was when she lived here in the 1930s.
• Morningstar Nature Center: Gainesville’s premiere nature park, tucked into a fire-dependent longleaf pine forest.
• Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park: Descend into a massive natural sinkhole and see the unique ecosystem that lives “underground.”

Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs

Silver Springs State Park has a little bit of everything – iconic glass-bottom boat tours that speak to history and ecology, winding paddle trails through the bottomland hardwood forests, and historic gardens to wander through. You can also spot manatees, alligators, and monkeys (yes, monkeys!) at this park.

Explore: Adventurist Sara’s Biased Guide to the Best Florida State Parks

Robinson Preserve, Bradenton

Hike, bike, paddle, and climb to incredible views at Robinson Preserve. Launch your kayak and enjoy 5 miles of paddling trails or hike to the Tower, a 40-foot-tall observation deck that looks out over the park’s inland waters and Tampa Bay. E-bikes are allowed on many of the trails, too!

While in the Bradenton area, be sure to check out:

• Oscar Scherer State Park: This park is minutes from the bustle of the city but feels a world apart, with trails for hiking and biking, and a healthy population of the friendly and rare scrub jay.
• Perico Preserve: Located close to Robinson Preserve, Perico has great hiking along the bayou and a popular biking trail. During the full moon, watch for mating horseshoe crabs in the estuary!
• Felts Audubon Preserve: Tiny and packed full of birds, this off-the-beaten-path park has an incredible indoor blind for watching buntings, woodpeckers, and other charismatic birds.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound

The campground at Jonathan Dickinson State Park is modern, clean, and close enough to the ocean that you can smell the sea breezes. The park’s sandy trails are a favorite of mountain bikers and hikers. Deeper inland, the Loxahatchee River tempts paddlers and picnickers along its shores.

While near Hobe Sound, be sure to check out:

• Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park: If you like solitude, this is the park for you. Rarely visited and beautifully pristine, this park has little infrastructure and, therefore, escapes the notice of many.
• Grassy Waters Preserve: Explore a relatively untouched Everglades landscape at Grassy Waters Preserve. Don’t miss the Cypress Boardwalk Trail.
• St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park: Have a kayak in your van? This barrier island is accessible only by boat, but it’s absolutely worth the paddle. Bring a picnic lunch and experience a classic Florida barrier island.

Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Grayton Beach is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the United States, and although it’s fun to spend a beach day here, don’t miss out on the four miles of trails that wind through the park. I particularly love walking under the maritime scrub oak and magnolia, which are dwarfed and bent over by the relentless coastal winds.

Join the Movement to protect wild Florida! Then come find me at the Live Wildly hangout zone to claim a special prize.

Guana Research Reserve, Ponte Vedra Beach

Wild adventures await at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, where you’ll find a unique mix of landscapes that invite exploration. My favorite spots are the stunning natural dunes with nearly deserted beaches and the Yellow Trail hike to the Tolomato River.

Check out Live Wildly’s St Augustine adventure map, and mark your calendar for this years’ Sing Out Loud Festival, from September 20-21, 2025. If you loved seeing our giant panther, Noah, at Peace Love and Vans…he’ll be at Sing Out Loud, too!

Looking for more tips to explore wild Florida in your van? Come find me at the Live Wildly hangout zone by the main stage. I can’t wait to meet you!