Favorite Florida State Park

[betsypupcdx]

Hi, I'd like some opinions on your favorite Florida State Park within a couple of hours drive from the Orlando area.
Our favorite is Gamble Rogers, but it is almost impossible to get a reservation.
We love the Florida parks and especially the 50% resident senior discount.

Linda

[GTO66]

I agree with the original poster I also enjoy gamble rogers as well as any parks in the keys or the panhandle. Gamble is a little easier now that they added the riverside campground.From my side of the state its about a three hour drive,but ft Desoto is only is only 25 miles.

[modern_family]

No one mentioned the very popular Fort Desoto. Though not a state park, but close enough. Will take you about 2.5 hours (no traffic) to Orlando. Our favorite for sure and one of the very few campgrounds you can fish or kayak from your campsite (if you can get a water site) our favorite

[vermilye]

2X on Manatee Springs...

[NanciL]

Rainbow Springs, but before they open the tubing. it is a zoo after they open it.

jack L

[Laman]

Silver River State Park in Ocala in my mind would be the top choice in your travel range, great place.

[trsky]

Ocala National Forest Salt springs or Alexander springs

[rwess]

Mine used to be St. George. I cannot even count the number of times my family has camped there. Last year the campground was overran by large Diamondback Rattlesnakes. One was caught and "relocated" from my site. One of my neighbors got in trouble for killing one that was after his dog. I doubt that we will be going back there again.

[Retired_JSO]

Hart Springs County Park Campground on the Suwannee
Hart Springs

Rainbow Springs State Park on the Rainbow River near Dunnellon.

Both are full hookups and located along the Crystal Clear Springs, Real Florida.

[fla-gypsy]

I have visited 68 Florida state parks and they were all unique and had something to offer. I had hoped to visit all 160+ but most likely will never make all of them.

[Pine_Barren]

As some others have said not in the Orlando area but the panhandle our favorites are Big Lagoon , Rocky Bayou and Grayton Beach. This July we will be visiting Manatee Springs and Florida Caverns.

[Campinghoss]

We really like Manatee Hammock. It is county ran.

[rockhillmanor]

agesilaus wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
Not the Orlando Area, the panhandle, we've stayed at 4 State Parks in the last 2 years and enjoyed all of them. Each one was different, unique in it's own way, and we simply loved each one. St. Joseph Peninsula, Falling Waters, St Andrews, and Florida Caverns.

Yeah but they are a lot more than 4 hours from Lady Lake

Dunnellon, Rainbow Springs, Crystal River. Several real nice State Park CG's all within 45+ minutes of Lady Lake! The deep crystal blue springs and rivers are just spectacular.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/interactive-map

There is supposed to be one of the largest oldest tree in the Goethe National forest in Levy county. I still want to get there to see that this year. They suggest to go during the winter months to avoid the bugs because it's way off the trail. :W

Permitted camping allowed at Goethe Levy County and there are 2 or 3 CG's just outside the National Forest.
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/G...

All within an hour of Lady Lake!

[tplife]

Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Good RV parks nearby, excellent tubing, and good boiled peanuts! 🙂

[JoeTampa]

Hillsborough River is nice as well.