CAMPGROUNDS
Canoeists and kayakers at Oleta River State Park in North Miami
Camping on the beach in Fort Myers
T
hank the Tin Can Tourists. In the
1920s, they rumbled along rough
roads to Florida and found their way
down the coasts, living out of their cars and
eating warmed-up meals from tin cans. Since
then, a predictable migration of campers comes
to Florida every winter, with flocks of RVs
taking over vast swaths of campgrounds
throughout the state. Luckily, Florida has
plenty of campsites to go around.
Whether you're looking for somewhere to
plunk that RV near an urban area or want a real
in-the-woods experience under the shade of
old oak trees, Florida's diverse inventory of
campgrounds includes more than 50 at Florida
State Parks, hundreds more on other public
lands, and private sites of every stripe. Bring a
tent, drive down in your RV, book a cabin, or
pull that fifth wheel—Florida has you covered.
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2014 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
SOUTHEAST
Sunlight shimmers over blue-green waters as
you look out of your tent over the calm shallows of the Atlantic Ocean in the Florida Keys.
At Long Key State Park, all 60 sites are right on
the beach for tent and RV campers to enjoy.
Wander along nature trails, kayak through
mangrove tunnels or learn about marine life at
a ranger program. At John Pennekamp Coral
Reef State Park on Key Largo, it's not far from
its 47 campsites in a tropical forest to board a
boat for snorkeling and diving adventures on
the offshore coral reefs.
Renting for less than US$60 per night, the
rustic cabins at Oleta River State Park might be
the least expensive place to stay in Miami.
You'll need to bring your own linens and bathrooms are down the trail at the bathhouse. In
the heart of C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: LEE COUNTY VCB/FORTMYERSSANIBEL.COM; GREATER MIAMI CVB; VISITCITRUS.COM; BAKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BY SANDRA FRIEND
BUNKING WITH NATURE
