Florida has over 150 state parks, recreation areas, state historic and cultural sites. Florida's state park system has received the National State Parks Gold Medal as America's best.

Many of these state parks offer more than natural wilderness and recreation.   Historical reenactments, living history, boat tours, musical celebrations, nature hikes, birding tours and children's events can be found at many parks making these excellent side trips for any vacation. Additionally, Florida has an excellent array of camping facilities ranging from very primitive, natural wilderness settings to cozy and comfortable cabins with all the facilities to make a camping vacation with minimal fuss.

Parks vary from coastal and oceanic to inland forest to parks featuring crystal clear natural springs to those with winding, lazy rivers. There is even a park, the Florida Caverns, that features underground natural caverns - rather surprising considering Florida's geology makeup of sand and limestone!

A free Florida State Park Guide can be obtained by calling 850.488.9872 or by writing the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 536, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. An excellent online source for Florida park information can be found at Florida Recreation & Parks.

There are also a number of National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges within Florida. Unquestionably, the best known of these parks is the Everglades.  For a unique vacation, consider treking through the Everglades!

Fort De Soto park is a natural beauty with magnificent beaches and recreational facilities.  It was name North America's best beach by "Dr. Beach" in 2005.

Florida’s state park system, which received the National State Parks Gold Medal as America’s best, has enjoyed increasing popularity as interest in nature-based and heritage tourism have grown rapidly in the U.S. and worldwide.  Millions of visitors enjoy Florida’s state park system every year, and Florida’s parks and preserves are now a significant destination for our vacation visitors to the state.