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A Newsletter of Florida State Parks | #FLStateParks
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Free Entry this Veterans Day at Florida State Parks
The Florida Park Service thanks all veterans for their service to our country.
The Florida Park Service is proud to observe Veterans Day by offering free entry into any Florida state park* on Wednesday, Nov. 11. We encourage visitors and friends to celebrate this day while honoring veterans and their sacrifices. Spend the day picnicking with family, canoeing or kayaking or walking the nature trails at one of our 174 state parks or trails.
Additionally, veterans are reminded that discounts are available on Annual Entrance Passes for those on active duty or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. Free lifetime Military Entrance Passes are available for those veterans who have a service-connected disability. Click here for more information.
You may also purchase items from our shop, which is operated by Veterans4You LLC, a not-for-profit company committed to creating veteran employment opportunities wherever possible and to work the veterans suppliers.
The pictured statue is the Three Soldiers Detail, a bronze replica of the Vietnam Memorial statue in Washington, D.C. It can be seen year-round at Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola.
A Pinterest board full of creative and fun ideas have been compiled to assist you in planning your Veterans Day activities. Follow this link to view some of the activities you can do outdoors with family, friends or your treasured serviceman.
*excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
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This month at State Parks and State Trails
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Can I go Camping this Weekend?
Many park visitors ask, “Where can I go camping this weekend?” We have worked with ReserveAmerica, our camping reservation partner, to create a search tool to help you find state park campgrounds with space available for the weekend. Just visit ReserveAmerica and click on Camping this Weekend.
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Paddle at a Park
Near You
November is Florida Paddlesports Month. Explore Florida’s natural treasures by kayaking, canoeing or standup paddle boarding at a Florida state park. You may be lucky enough to see a manatee or dolphins. Click here to find a state park that offers canoeing and kayaking. Click here for Florida's Trail Guide.
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Be Aware of Manatees
November is Manatee Awareness Month. This is the time of year when manatees start returning to the Florida’s warmer waters. Manatees can be seen year round at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park or on the Save the Manatee Club webcam at Blue Spring State Park.
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Events in November
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Harvest Time
Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine
Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Join us for a celebration of the foods and the first Thanksgiving at Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. Besides food and cooking demonstrations, enjoy children's activities including crafts, scavenger hunts and storytelling. Guest speaker Annie Francis has completed research in the Archives of the Indies on foods grown in Spanish Florida.
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Annual Ocali Country Days
Silver Springs State Park, Ocala
Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 am
Join us for music, storytellers and re-enactors portraying 1800s history. You'll enjoy tradtional crafts and food. Tour the Silver River Museum, ride on a jeep tram, tour a Civil War encampment or meet Seminoles to learn about their culture. All proceeds benefit the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center.
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CCC Festival
Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring
Saturday, Nov. 14 (all day)
CCC alumni have been invited to the fesetival. Enjoy a presentation on New Deal programs, an antique car show, model railroad, arts and crafts, tram rides, children’s activities and traditional crafts. Roy McLendon, a Florida Highwayman, and his son are the featured artists. David Lutken will bring the music of Woody Guthrie to this year’s festival.
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State Parks are Open for Thanksgiving
Most of Florida's state parks will be open for Thanksgiving. The normal hours at 8 a.m. to sunset. Holidays are the perfect time to introduce out-of-town visitors to our award-winning state parks and trails. This year, consider stopping by a park near you to enjoy the Florida sunshine and work off some of the holiday feast with a bike ride, hike or fish. Some museums are closed so call ahead to ensure those are open.
Mobile App for Smartphones
Plan your state park adventures using the new Pocket Ranger® app for your smartphone. The FREE Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app is available now on iTunes, Android Market and PocketRanger.com
Shop Online
Our online store at Shop.StateParks.org will help you purchase annual entrance passes, shirts, water bottles, backpacks and more.
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