Fall in Florida: Cabins, Camping, and Stargazing

Florida is in the midst of one of its best seasons — fall. Call me biased, but I love all of the Florida seasons (yes, even the hottest ones). While fall is short-lived in the Sunshine State, it’s a clear departure from summer and it’s the gateway to Florida’s fabulous winters (more on that later) that draw thousands of people here from all around the world. Our 90 degree days are fewer; the humidity begins to subside and the love bugs make one last brief appearance. One doesn’t have to crank the A/C down so much and local farms welcome visitors to corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Crepe myrtle, maple, gums, and cypress trees all get in on the color-changing act. While it’s not the Appalachian or Ozark Mountains, the leaves in Florida have their say. It’s also a great time for pitching a tent, renting a cabin and taking in Florida’s dark skies. Clear skies make for great nights of getting lost in Florida’s stargazing. I’ve compiled a list of places to enjoy the cooler Florida evenings, pitch a tent or rent a cabin, and get a campfire ready for s'mores and storytelling. There are so many others not listed, but this is a great list to get you thinking about those crisp cool mornings, sunsets, beach walks, trail hikes and night skies.

Florida Spots for Stargazing, Camping, and Cabins

South Florida & The Keys

Backcountry Trail in Big Cypress Preserve

Bahia Honda State Park

1. Bahia Honda State Park Campground (Florida Keys)

   Bahia Honda is the darkest location for stargazing in the the Florida Keys.

2. Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Hobe Sound)

   This park is a natural wonder with 16 distinct natural communities.

3. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (Okeechobee)

   This spot is recognized for its lack of light pollution and campers have been able to see the Milky Way without telescopes or binoculars.

4. Long Key State Park Campground (Florida Keys)

   Hike-in, tent only campsites are available while full-facility campsites are in construction.

5. Big Cypress National Preserve (Ochopee)

   This National Preserve boasts over 729,000 acres of swamp — bigger than the state of Rhode Island! This preserve is home to the endangered Florida panther. It’s also an International Dark Sky Place.

Northeast & Northwest Florida

Blackwater River State Park

1. Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine)

   A haven for wildlife, there are 139 campsites just a stroll from the beach!

2. Little Talbot Island State Park (Jacksonville)

   Shelling, hiking, paddling, and surfing are just a few of the many things you can do while camping here.

3. O'Leno State Park (High Springs)

   Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this is one of Florida’s first state parks!

4. Grayton Beach State Park (Santa Rosa Beach)

   Cabins and a campground are two ways you can stay here and enjoy the nearly 2k acres of this stunning beach park.

5. T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Cape San Blas)

   Sandy beaches and tall dunes characterize this quaint beach park with many overnight options.

6. Fort Pickens Campground (Gulf Islands National Seashore)

   Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, this campground draws people in with its emerald waters and white powder beaches.

7. St. George Island State Park (St. George Island)

   This one holds many memories for this FSU girl! A stunning shoreline, dunes, and wildlife span for miles. Make your own memories that you’ll be blogging about one day, too!

8. Blackwater River State Park (Holt)

   Longleaf pine, stunning tannin waters, and forested nature trails make this a must-do in the Florida panhandle.

Tampa Bay/West Central/Southwest Florida

Myakka River State Park

1. Fort De Soto Park Campground (St. Petersburg)

   With 238 campsites, you’re sure to want to linger longer and take in the bird life, sea life, magroves, and palm hammocks of this stunning site.

2. Hillsborough River State Park (Thonotosassa)

   Yes, there are river rapids in Florida! Stroll, hike, camp, canoe or kayak along the scenic HIllsborough RIver.

3. Myakka River State Park Campground (Sarasota)

   Prairies, wetland, and pinelands make this a piece of Florida heaven! Check out the canopy walkway!

4. Collier-Seminole State Park (Naples)

   So much to do here amidst being within one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world!

Central Florida

Lake Louisa State Park

Katie Rommel-Esham, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1. Lake Louisa State Park (Clermont)

   Just 30 minutes from Orlando, this park has three major lakes, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

2. Blue Spring State Park (Orange City)

   Fall in love with Florida’s gentle giants — manatees! Birding, swimming, and hiking are among the many things you can do here.

3. Juniper Springs Recreation Area (Ocala National Forest)

   Located in the Ocala National Forest, this is one of Florida’s most popular campgrounds. Bubbling springs, wildlife, Juniper Run and miles of trails will keep you busy while you wait for the sun to set and catch some starry nights.

4. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (Lake Buena Vista)

   Yes, it’s “themed” camping but it’s silly fun. There’s a pool, a hot tub, golf carts, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long. There’s also deer and turkeys all over the place. While it might not be true camping, it is a lot of fun. Just go with it ;)

   
   Have a place not on this list? Leave a comment below and share your insights!

   Love & Sunshine!
   Frances