Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
canoe. In the Everglades, you can also embark on 'wet walks,' which are wading trips deep
into the blackwater heart of the swamps. It may seem like folly to tread through the same
waters that alligators and crocodiles prowl, but wet walks have been conducted unabated
for well over a decade.
Prized camping spots include the shady riverside at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
State Park; the Ocala National Forest; the Panhandle's St Joseph State Park; Myakka River
State Park; the 'chickees' (raised platforms) that dot the waterways of the Everglades and
the 10,000 Islands; and in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda State Park.
Just be warned: mosquitoes are an unavoidable reality, especially during the spring and
summer months. Sunscreen is a must when hiking in Florida, but a good bug repellent
(and insect-proof clothes) comes a close second.
TREAD LIGHTLY, EXPLORE SAFELY
These days, it should go without saying that any wilderness, even a swamp, is a fragile
place. Practicing 'Leave No Trace' ethics (see
www.lnt.org
for comprehensive advice)
boils down to staying on the trail, cleaning up your own mess, and observing nature
rather than plucking or feeding it.
As you enjoy Florida's natural bounty, take care of yourself, too. Carry lots of water - up
to a gallon per person per day - and always be prepared for rain. Line backpacks with
plastic bags, and carry rain gear and extra clothes for when (not if) you get soaked. Reid
Tillery's Surviving the Wilds of Floridais a helpful guide, while Tillery's website
Florida
Swimming & Springs
Florida's beaches are the best in the continental United States, and incredibly diverse, so
let's start with two questions: Do you prefer sunrise or sunset? Do you prefer surfing and
boogie boarding or sunbathing and sandcastles? For sunrise and surfing, hit the bigger,
east-facing waves of the Atlantic Coast; for sandcastles at sunset, choose the soporific,
west-facing waters of the Gulf Coast and the Panhandle.
Would you prefer if we get a little more nuanced with our sand and surf judgment? Fair
enough. There are a few other elements of beach-going we can certainly address: namely,
the 'beach as casual escape' versus 'family destination' versus 'spring-break boozefest'
versus 'sexy spot to show off your fashion sense and spot celebrities.' If you're into the last
