swimming

Anna Maria Bayfront Park

Anna Maria Bayfront Park, located on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island in Florida, offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. This park is known for its diverse ecosystems, including sandy beaches, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which support a variety of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy activities such as swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the park’s calm, clear waters.

Birdwatching is also popular, with species like herons, egrets, pelicans, and ospreys frequently spotted. The park’s conservation efforts include habitat restoration, educational programs, and sustainable practices to preserve its natural beauty. Anna Maria Bayfront Park is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking a peaceful escape.

Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the coastal environment, or learn about local wildlife, this park offers something for everyone. Visit Anna Maria Bayfront Park to experience the unique charm and ecological richness of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

For more information: https://tinyurl.com/2ycxlfy6

Fore Lake Recreation Area

Looking for the perfect outdoor getaway? Look no further! Fore Lake Recreation Area is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Florida. Located within the Ocala National Forest, this beautiful spot offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Get ready to explore the wonders of Fore Lake! Launch your non-motorized boat, Swim in the designated area, birdwatch, or enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Experience the magic of sleeping under the stars! The recreation area offers 31 campsites and camping facilities for those seeking a memorable outdoor adventure.

Fore Lake has something to offer all year round, whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter. Each season brings its unique charm and opportunities for unforgettable experiences.

Planning a family outing? Fore Lake Recreation Area is perfect for family gatherings, picnics, and creating lasting memories together.

Nature photographers, get your cameras ready! The area is a paradise for capturing stunning landscapes and wildlife shots.

Let’s help preserve this natural wonder! Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the environment during your visit.

For more details and directions, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83686

Experience nature at its best – plan your Fore Lake Recreation Area trip now!

Photo Credit: Dan Kon

Lithia Springs Conservation Park

Lithia Springs Conservation Park, situated 20 minutes to the east of Tampa, Florida, is a 160-acre leisure destination renowned for its natural spring water. With over half of its expanse bordered by the Alafia River, this unassuming park is particularly favored by residents. The Lithia Spring Major supplies a considerable amount of fresh mineral water, averaging about 35 million gallons per day, with a consistent temperature of 72℉ throughout the year. The park features a pleasant swimming area that accommodates up to 400 visitors per day, allowing them to enjoy the water during two four-hour swim sessions, provided the weather conditions are favorable. Other popular activities in Lithia Springs include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, walking trails, fishing, and bird watching. Boat rentals are not offered on-site, but many people rent from Alafia River Canoe Rentals Inc, just three miles away from the springs.

Lithia Springs Park was initially acquired by Gardinier, Inc., a mining enterprise that later transformed into Mosaic Phosphate, Inc. Subsequently, in 1957, the company leased the park to Hillsborough County for use as a recreational facility, and over time, the 160-acre location gradually gained popularity as a camping destination. So, if you’re into camping the park offers 45 camping spots that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Each site comes with a 30-amp service, with a select few providing 50-amp service. While the size of the sites differs, they typically measure between 40-80 feet long. Amenities offered include proximity to the water, picnic tables, playgrounds, grills, fire pits, restrooms, and showers. There are no reservations for these sites; everything is done on a first-come, first-serve basis.

After setting up camp, hikers can explore the woodsy trails and their diverse plant communities, river cypress swamps, and hardwood hammocks. The Fish Hawk Nature Preserve Trail which is comprised of a mix of grassy, sandy, and wooded portions, spans approximately 3.0 miles and is not paved.

And while you can bring your dog to the park on a leash, there’s no doggy peddling by our four-legged fur friends allowed in the spring.

For more information click here: https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/…/lithia-springs-park

Author and Photo Credit: Renada Hill Valencia State College

Blue Hole Spring

Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna is home to Blue Hole Spring. Water rises from the spring at a temperature of 67.8 before it flows into the Chipola River.

Swimming in the cool, turquoise water while surrounded by a lush forest is a perfect way to cool off in the hot Florida summer. Canoes are waiting for you to rent at the Florida Caverns Gift Shop. Enjoy your lunch at the picnic area near Blue Hole Spring.

For more information:https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/experiences…

Photo Credit: Erin James

Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is located in the community of Santa Rosa Beach in Walton County. It was initially acquired in 1964 with only 356 acres. The park continued to expand through 1995 and now contains almost 2,000 acres. With four miles of nature trails, including a captivating coastal forest, you will be guaranteed to leave with lasting memories.

The park offers bird watching, hiking, a beach for swimming, boating, paddling, canoeing/kayaking, RV sites, restrooms, and more. There are plenty of handicap-accessible features including campsites, cabins, Mobi-mats, beach wheelchairs, and picnic tables. Feel free to bring your pets but remember to keep them on a leash.

For more information visit the Grayton Beach State Park website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/graytonbeach

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park, located at mile marker 37 in the Florida Keys, is made up of over 500 acres and an offshore island that is waiting for you to explore. Henry Flagler’s historic Overseas Railroad is a stark reminder of the 1937 Category 5 Labor Day Hurricane.

Bahia Honda State Park is best known for its beaches, Calusa and Sandspur Beach. Favorite water activities include snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving. Canoeing, kayaking, and boating are popular with easy access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Watch for sea turtles and bottle-nosed dolphins.

Snorkeling tours offer the opportunity to explore the sea life at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Look for starfish, spiny lobsters, queen conchs, and nurse sharks.

Saunter along the nature trail that leads you to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. Enjoy the view while you admire herons, egrets, and ibises. A 3-1/2 mile hard surface road runs the length of Bahia Honda and is a perfect way to enjoy the park on your bicycle.

Bring your lunch and eat at a picnic area with a grill. Leashed pets are allowed in very limited areas.

For those who want to take a few days to experience all that Bahia Honda State Park has to offer, campsites are available for tents and RVs. There are six furnished cabins that accommodate 6 people in each.

Be sure to stay for stargazing. Bahia Honda Key is the darkest location in the Florida Keys.

For more information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/

Photo Credit: Dan, Nancy, and Christian Kon

Dry Tortugas National Park

Discover a 100 square mile National Park of open water and 7 small islands known as Garden, Loggerhead, Bush, Long, East, Hospital, and Middle. Located 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or plane.

Visit Garden Key and explore Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the US. Fort Jefferson was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the lucrative shipping zone to the Gulf of Mexico. A lighthouse named Harbor Light was built in 1825 to warn ships of the navigation hazards caused by the low-lying islands and reefs.

A snorkeling paradise, the crystal blue waters of Dry Tortugas National Park offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the reefs and the marine life that thrive there. Swimming and boating are popular activities. Bring your camera to capture the abundance of birds who live and nest at the park.

Loggerhead Key is rife with wildlife and is named after the often seen loggerhead turtles. Scuba divers will enjoy exploring the Windjammer shipwreck.
Primitive camping is available for those who want to spend a few days, enjoy the spectacular sunsets and stargaze.

Leashed dogs are permitted.

For more information: https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain