Life is short, so you might as well get out and make the most of it. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be the traveling type, you could surely come up with an excuse to visit gorgeous natural places in Florida at least once in your life.
Since there are so many to choose from, we took the top destinations around the state and rounded up this list of 10 must-sees.
Note: Most, if not all on this list, are open for visitors; but we advise you to check the individual websites for each before planning your trip.
Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring
Maybe you have swum in one of Florida’s enchanting blue springs, but have you ever swam in a blue spring in a sinkhole? Sure that might sound kind of dangerous, but Devil’s Den is one of the very few places offering a monitored environment with professionals on-site for such a unique experience. Reservations are required.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
There aren’t many dark sky parks in Florida, making Kissimmee Prairie Preserve a welcoming rare site for those looking to gaze into galaxies far, far away. Though I do have to mention, you should prepare a lot of bug spray if you plan on spending time under the stars outside of your tent.
Caladesi Island
Located just off the shore of Dunedin’s Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Island is noted to be home to some of the state’s prettiest shorelines. If you have a boat you can make your way over on your own, or you can catch the ferry for a small fee.
Useppa Island
Ok we know Florida is hot, but many of the trees on Useppa Island look like they’re literally melting, making it home to one of the neatest natural wonders in the state.
Devil’s Millhopper State Park
Who says Florida isn’t tropical? No one? Right. That’s because we have our own little mini rainforests, just like the one at Devil’s Millhopper State Park. Seriously, it’s considered a “ miniature rainforest.”
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
What comes as a surprise to many, you don’t have to go out west to see wild roaming bison and horses. From tree tunnels to the wide variety of wildlife including horses and bison, there are plenty of interesting sights to behold at Paynes Prairie Preserve.
Blowing Rocks Preserve
The Sunshine State is beloved for its bright white sandy beaches, but there are a couple of rocky shorelines that deserve some recognition too. Blowing Rocks Preserve is one such place, offering visitors a truly unmatched Florida beach experience.
Dune Lakes of South Walton
South Walton’s almost-mountainous dunes are a nice change to the normally-flat landscape surrounding the state, and thankfully there are plenty of boardwalks that go over the dunes so you can explore with ease.
National Key Deer Refuge
The Key’s are home to a special kind of endangered deer, known as the Key Deer. These hooved creatures are renowned for being the tiniest species of deer in North America, and you can enjoy them by visiting the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine.
Originally published at http://www.thesunburntblogger.com.
