 |
A Newsletter of Florida State Parks | #FLStateParks |
November is Paddlesports Month!
Whether you prefer to stand-up paddleboard through the
mangroves at Oleta River State Park, kayak the Intercostal waterway at Big
Lagoon State Park or canoe with your family down the Suwannee River, paddling
is a fun way to get Florida park fit!
Paddling enthusiast, author and Assistant Bureau Chief of the Office of Greenways and
Trails, Doug Alderson, has been canoeing since he was a young boy.
“There is nothing more peaceful than to glide down a calm
waterway with the sky reflected on the water like a mirror. If you are quiet
and keep your distance, wild Florida can provide quite a show. You never know
what is around the bend.”
On Alderson’s paddles, he’s seen turtles, wading birds,
alligators, manatees, otters and other wetland wildlife that are often only
seen from canoe or kayak.
Many of our state parks have canoes, kayaks and
stand up paddle boards available for rent, providing eager adventurers with the
gear they need to explore our lakes, rivers and coastal waterways. Find the perfect paddling destination for your 1-day or extended Florida State Parks visit by using our Parks Custom Search
tool!
|
| |
This month at State Parks, Trails and Historic Sites |
 Free Park Entry on Veterans Day
To thank all who have served and
sacrificed, all Florida State Parks will grant free entry to all visitors on
Friday, November 11, 2016.
Pack a picnic and celebrate this day with your
loved ones, or take advantage of the three-day weekend by taking a camping
trip. Whether your visit lasts a day or the whole weekend, find a park in your area using our Regional Map and spend time outdoors.
|
 It's Men's Health Awareness Month!
Are
you Florida Park Fit? Challenge yourself by signing up and training for one of
Florida State Park’s races, bike rides or obstacle courses! From 5Ks to Ironman
triathlons, there are plenty of events across the state to keep you in shape.
Use our Park Events Filters to
find events by region, date, theme, type or by park and trail, and get pumped
up for Men’s Health Awareness Month!
|
 Video: Lovers Key State Park
Watch Rangers Matt and Katie give viewers their
recommendations for activities to do while visiting Lovers Key State Park. Ride
the tram, hike the trails and other fun activities while exploring this park in
Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
See more Florida State Parks videos on our Youtube channel and plan your trip today!
|
|
| |
Events in January |
 16th Annual Alafia Fat Tire Festival
Alafia River State
Park, Lithia
Friday, November 4 –
Sunday, November 6, 2016
1 - 5 p.m. Eastern
Join the SWAMP
mountain bike club for a weekend of biking riding, food and fun. Fat Tire
Festival activities include a vendor village, happy hour meet and greet,
training classes, guided bike rides, a night ride and live entertainment!
Register at SwampClub.org.
|
 Veterans - Past Present and Future
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Santa Rosa Beach
Saturday, November 12,
2016
8:30 a.m. - noon Central
Join us
as we honor our Veterans with a variety of programs and festivities, including
a continental style breakfast, a flag ceremony, guided tours at the neighboring
WWII installation at Coffeen Nature Preserve, a showcase of Topsail Hill
Preserve State Park’s military history and more.
|
 2016
Ocali Country Days
Silver
Springs State Park, Ocala
Saturday,
November 12 - 13, 2016
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern
Have you ever
wondered what life was like in 19th century North Florida? Visit
Silver Springs State Parks’ Annual Ocali Country Days for live music, storytellers,
historical demonstrations, tours and more. Proceeds benefit the Silver River
Museum and Environmental Education Center
|
 Fakahatchee Swamp Walk
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State
Park
Saturday, November 19, 2016
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern
Immerse yourself in the beauty
and biological diversity of the Fakahatchee Strand by taking a Swamp Walk with Park
Biologist, Mike Owen. Participants will wade in cool water and observe native
wildlife while taking a strenuous walk into the heart of the Fakahatchee.
Registration required.
|
 Historic Farmstead
Tour
Dudley Farm Historic State Park, Newberry
Saturday, November 26, 2016
10 – 11 a.m. Eastern
Learn about pioneer
family life and the workings of a historic farm while talking a Historic
Farmstead Tour with a ranger or volunteer docent. The tour begins at the
Visitor Center and includes stops at the family farmhouse, kitchen outbuilding,
a general store and post office and more.
|
|
Stay Connected Online
Take your favorite Florida State Parks wherever
you go by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Be sure to tag #FLStateParks in your
photos.
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
Get Your Annual Pass Today
Shop our online
store at Shop.FloridaStateParks.org to purchase your Individual or Family Annual Pass, starting at $60/year.
|
|
|
Gift Cards Are Now Available
Give the gift of sleeping under the stars in Florida State Parks! Our Gift Cards can be used to make reservations for camping and cabins at participating Florida State Parks.
|
|
 |
The Real Florida Passport
The Real Florida Passport is your perfect
companion while visiting Florida State Parks! The Pioneer Edition contains 56 pages of fun
facts, space to make notes and so much more. Order your Passport today and visit a park
near you!
|
|
 |
What's Available This Weekend?
Are you looking for a
cool place to camp this weekend? Visit ReserveAmerica.com
and click on our new camping this weekend feature
to find state park campgrounds with open campsites for the
weekend!
|
|
|
|
| |
|
