Great Outdoors Summer Staycation

Adventure is just a stone’s throw away when you live where everyone vacations! And if your family enjoys exploring the great outdoors, there’s no need to pay exorbitant airline fees or stay cramped in the car for hours – Florida’s Historic Coast is packed full of natural gems.

The Florida State Parks system is one of the best parks systems in the nation. Florida ranks number five in states with the most parks, clocking an impressive 191. Keep in mind that California is ranked #1 with only 79 more parks and almost 100,000 more acres of land than Florida. If your family enjoys visiting state parks, we recommend getting ahold of the Florida State Park Passport. You can collect a stamp at each park you visit, making a great memory keepsake.

Anastasia State Park

Secreted away behind the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Anastasia Island, Anastasia State Park is a camping hot spot and local favorite for beach, biking, hiking and paddling. It boasts more than 1,600 acres of unspoiled beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammocks and ancient sand dunes, making it a haven for wildlife. Its pristine nature trails, protected paddling area on Salt Run and options for food, beach and watercraft rentals make it a fun day for any outing.

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNRR) is a dynamic, ever-changing place with many interconnected habitats, from the ocean to the forests. One of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the country, this landscape protects and provides for a great diversity of plants and animals. Just a short drive up A1A, the GTMNRR has an interactive nature center, water access and miles of natural trails to walk, hike or bike. Grab some snacks and look for wildlife, fill the pages of your nature journal or join one of the GTMNRR’s family-friendly educational events.

Faver-Dykes State Park

Located just outside of St. Augustine, Faver-Dykes State Park is a sandhill ecosystem bordered by beautiful Pellicer Creek. Visitors can relax, fish, hike, picnic, paddle, and birdwatch. Pellicer Creek is part of the Florida Designated Paddling Trail, and you can either head east to the Pellicer flats and Matanzas River or west to the freshwater beginnings. It is one of the most pristine estuarine tidal marshes on the east coast of Florida, with abundant salt and freshwater fish plus magnificent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Thirty campsites keep cool under the towering hardwood hammock.

Matanzas State Forest

Take US1 South towards Palm Coast, and you may see some discrete park signage for the Matanzas State Forest—you’ll want to stop! Matanzas State Forest is part of a 16,000-acre continuous conservation corridor beginning with Moses Creek (managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District) and continuing south through the forest into Faver-Dykes State Park (managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection), Pellicer Creek Conservation Area and Flagler County’s Princess Place Preserve. Owned by the State of Florida and managed by the Florida Forest Service in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and St. Johns River Water Management District, the property was originally acquired from a timber corporation. As such, the land is full of Florida pine, dotted with wetlands that include bay and cypress swamps. Primitive roads are maintained for horseback riding, walking, hiking and cycling. Water access allows for canoeing and fishing. Camping is allowed at designated sites. Be sure to bring your camera!

Moses Creek Conservation Area

The Moses Creek Conservation Area preserves one of the few remaining undeveloped tidal creeks in the north Florida region. Moses Creek, with an east and west trailhead on State Road 206, is a tributary to the Matanzas River. Eight natural communities — scrub, sandhill, upland mixed forest, freshwater tidal swamp, mesic flatwood, depression marsh, dome swamp and estuarine tidal marsh — can be found on the land. This makes for great wildlife viewing and a dynamic experience for horseback riding, hiking, biking and meandering. Anglers will love the rich fishing, and primitive camping is available.

Mountain Biking Trails – MTB Project

Love mountain biking? You’re probably already in the know about the MTB Project. If not, bookmark this page! This nationwide organization catalogs mountain bike routes, with over 174,126 miles of trails mapped. Regional chapters also work with governments, non-profits and other organizations to create, maintain and promote trail riding. Trails are given ratings, so even beginners can explore confidently. Grab a helmet and get riding!