10 Best Places to Visit in Florida for Nature Lovers
People from all over the world flock to Florida for the renowned entertainment districts and theme parks. It’s a popular destination for thrill-seekers and fun-chasers, but it’s also a must-visit for nature lovers. Beyond its bright urban centers, Florida has a lot of stunning nature parks and awe-inspiring landscapes.
There’s a surplus of attractions for nature lovers in Florida, but here are the 10 you need to see next:
Panama City Beach RV Resort
Seeing Florida through an RV is an experience on its own. While most parks are rough and rugged, this resort elevates the RV vacation experience. The luxury park has full-hookup sites designed to accommodate nearly every RV model imaginable. If you’re traveling to Florida with family, staying in this RV resort should be on your itinerary since it can be your jump-off point for golfing, fishing, swimming, and trekking. It even has a dog park for your four-legged family members!
Heathcote Botanical Gardens
Amble through this five-acre subtropical garden in South Florida, off the Atlantic Coast. Green thumbs would be delighted with its assortment of specialty gardens, like the Japanese or the Reflection Garden, or if you’re in Florida with kids, you can go into the Children’s Garden. They even have a vegetable garden and a Native Plants Garden where you can learn about herbs and other botanical cures.
Northwest Florida’s Coastal Dune Lakes
If you find yourself in North Florida, spend a day in South Walton. Beyond the stunning powder-white dunes lie some of the rarest coastal freshwater lakes. There are only three other locations with these types of lakes: New Zealand, Australia, and Madagascar. These freshwater lakes are the only ones of their kind in the entire Western hemisphere, so you make the trip to South Walton.
Blowing Rocks Preserve
Florida isn’t typically associated with rock formations— exactly why the Blowing Rocks Preserve is a must-see. The preserve boasts the largest exposed section of Anastasia limestone on the East Coast. Visit this part of South Florida in the winter when seas are rough. This is the best time to see the waves crash against the exposed rock as they rise to 50 feet. Don’t forget to take a camera for the postcard-perfect shots.
Naples Zoo
Going to the zoo is a non-negotiable if you’re in Florida with kids who are curious. Naples Zoo offers a one-of-a-kind experience with its Primate Expedition Cruise. On the cruise, you’ll board a catamaran for a 20-minute trip through islands, encountering various apes and primates. You’ll be taken through enclaves for monkeys, lemurs, and apes— classified as endangered in their native habitats. Naples Zoo is also a conservancy, which makes it ideal for nature and animal lovers.
Siesta Key
Often topping the list of the state’s best beaches, Siesta Key is one of the most popular spots in Florida for families, kids, and couples alike. It’s right off the Sarasota Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. It features 8 miles of powdery white sand and crystal-clear blue water. During the day, you can swim and do a bit of shopping. At night, the key transforms into a bright and lively dining and entertainment district.
Secret Woods Nature Center
Be transported into an otherworldly expanse on the center’s mile-long path. Lined with mangroves and ancient trees, the trail snakes through boardwalks and beautiful sights where the river meets the land. Despite being set in Fort Lauderdale, the Secret Woods is perfect when you want to reset or spend some intimate time with a loved one—further proof that Florida is also for couples.
Tarpon Springs
Get up close and personal with manatees, stingrays, dolphins, tarpons, and other big fish in the bayous of Tarpon Springs. You can rent kayaks to explore the vast waters and get to meet these gentle giants. And be prepared to spend the entire day paddling out on the water since. If you’re planning to stay long on the water, you might opt to get a kayak sail instead. This way, you can sit back and relax on your expedition.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Journey into the heart of the Everglades, boardwalks, wet prairie, and the largest Bald Cypress forest in North America. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is famed for its picturesque landscapes and the wildlife it contains, like alligators, white-tailed deer, red-bellied turtles, and otters. The sanctuary provides a 2.25-mile adventure with tons of opportunities for wildlife encounters and photos.
Ocala National Forest
For those in Florida for a couple’s trip, the forest is an enchanting place to escape in. You can hike along the Florida National Scenic Trail and take in the verdant sand pine scrub forest, an endangered subtropical region unique to Florida. For the more daring, you can hop on your e-bikes or even a horse to go at a faster pace. When you want to wind down, you can easily take a dip and go snorkeling in Ocala’s freshwater springs, like Alexander Springs or Juniper Springs.
Florida is more than a retirement destination and home to amusement parks, it’s a haven for nature-lovers. From slow-paced walks through forests to full days of kayaking, the state is brimming with possibilities for you to spend time outdoors.
