6 Fun Ways to Cool Off at Florida State Parks
Two words: Water activities. And no state does them better than Florida.
From swimming and snorkeling, to tubing and kayaking, these beautiful state parks have endless ways to beat the heat and turn your blistering vacation into a breezy summer cool-down.
Don’t want the fun to end? Stay the night at one of our campgrounds or cabins.
Swimming
What's Florida without swimming?
If you're interested in sand and sun, make a visit to Grayton Beach State Park. Ranked on Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches in America, the park's beautiful white sands and blue waters provide the perfect spot for your relaxation destination. You can even stay the night at a campsite or cabin and make it a full beach weekend.
Want something less traditional? Check out Fanning Springs State Park. This natural spring produces 65 million (yes, million!) gallons of water each day, and its clear water is perfect for snorkeling. It even stays at a consistent temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so you'll be comfortable in no time.
Tubing
Relax on one of Florida's very own lazy rivers. Try Rainbow Springs State Park, which has its own tubing entrance, complete with tube rentals and tram service, for a lazy float along the beautiful Rainbow River. You can even stay the night at one of the campsites and continue the floating enjoyment.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is another great tubing spot and offers rentals for use in the crystalline Ichetucknee River. Stay overnight at O'Leno State Park to extend your adventure.
Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding
If you want a true Florida adventure, there's no better place than Wekiwa Springs State Park, where you can paddle, kayak or canoe down the Wekiva River. Whatever your choice, you'll experience the serenity of Florida's natural habitats. You can even stretch your legs on a stand-up paddleboard. Pick your favorite water sport or stay overnight and try all three.
Surfing
Looking for some excitement on the water? Head to Sebastian Inlet State Park for some of the best surfing conditions on the East Coast. Due to the consistent surf breaks, surfing is one of the most popular activities in the park, and several major surfing competitions are held here every year, so grab your board and get ready to hang loose.
Boating and Fishing
For anyone ready to cast a line, Little Talbot Island and Big Talbot Island State Parks offer great fishing opportunities for every skill level. With large tracts of saltwater surrounding the islands, catching a fish is all but guaranteed. Take the ferry or drive your boat to Caladesi Island State Park, which includes a marina with electric and water hookups. The marina also offers floating docks and 30-amp electric service, so don't miss out on your chance to stay overnight and camp right on your boat.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Snorkel at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the United States, where you can spot spectacular corals and marine life. You'll even see artifacts of an early Spanish shipwreck, approximately 100 feet offshore at Cannon Beach.
Want a deeper look into the water? Visit Manatee Springs State Park and scuba dive in a first-magnitude spring for a refreshing summer cool-down. You'll find Florida is even more beautiful from under water.
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The next time you find yourself in the great plains of Kansas, make sure to cast a line at one of these great fishing holes.
Buy your license online.
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