The Florida Everglades are wetlands located in southern Florida. The geology of the Everglades along with the sub-tropical climate provides the perfect combination for a large marshland. The Florida Everglades actually begin in Southern Orlando and extend all the way down to the Florida Bay. The Kissimmee River discharges into Lake Okeechobee, the water leaving this lake flows slowly all the way into the Florida Bay. The Everglades are always changing due to the extreme flooding during the wet season and large fires during the dry season.

National Park

The Everglades national park protects about 25 percent of the actual Florida Everglades. This national park averages close to 1 million people every year and is considered the largest sub tropical wilderness in the United States. Most national parks are created with the idea of protecting a geographic feature, but what makes the Everglades unique is that it was created to protect an ecosystem instead of a geographic feature. All of South Florida’s freshwater is recharged within this national park. Most of Florida’s water systems are fed from the many underground springs. The Everglades however has no springs that do this, and instead have a sponge like bottom made of limestone. This allows for an extraordinary amount of water to be stored. From May to November, which is Florida’s wet season, the everglades can get as much as 12 inches a rain per day.

Wildlife in the Everglades

The Florida Everglades has one of the highest populations of wildlife in the United States. It is home to more than 700 different species including 300 species of fish, 350 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and 60 species of reptiles. Among these species are 36 that have been designated as threatened or protected. Included in these threatened species are the American Crocodile, Florida Panther, and the Indian Manatee. The Florida Everglades are also the largest breeding grounds for wading birds in all of North America. These wading birds include the heron, brown pelicans, and egrets. One of the most popular types of wildlife that the Everglades is famous for, is its predators. Alligators are found in large numbers all over the national park. These monster reptiles can grow as much as 16 feet for males and 9 feet for females. There is one non native reptile that many scientists fear will change the entire ecosystem of the Everglades. The Burmese Python, which can grow as long as 13 feet has been discovered to have attacked alligators. The main reason for there presence in the Everglades is that a number of owners have abandoned them in the park and they have thrived and continued to breed over the past decade.

History of the Everglades

Around 10,000 or 20,000 years ago the Everglades served as a boundary to two Native American groups. These groups were the Tequesta and the larger group called the Calusa. Neither of these groups lived in the Everglades but did travel through them. These groups remained here until the early 1800′s but were mostly eradicated from disease and warfare mainly caused by the Spanish. In the early 19th century the uprising of Seminole nation begin, but was quickly removed after the Seminole wars in 1842. Currently A very small number of Seminole and Miccosukee tribes still lives within the boundaries of the park.

Restoration

In 1989, George W Bush signed the Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion act. This act improved the ecosystems of the everglades by implementing a few restrictions and changes. These included the addition of water by the army, an additional 109,000 acres added to the east side of the park, and airboats were no longer allowed in the park. In the year 2000, Congress approved another restoration of the Everglades. This restoration is considered the largest of its type in U.S history. The name of this plan was the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This plan intended to put over 10.5 billion dollars into the park over a 30 year period. The state of Florida has contributed an addition 2 billion dollars for restoration. The Everglades have suffered tremendously from human activity and the repair and restoration is constantly an issue in the politics of Florida.

In Florida there are five parks offering slips with electricity and water. Boaters are able to access restrooms of Florida parks, pump outs, showers among other facilities. Furthermore, boaters can affix the whole night in Biscayne Bay at Bill Baggs Cape Florida or Largo sound at John pennekamp coral reef parks.

Equestrian state camping

There are many state parks in Florida where equestrian camping is accessible. However, serves available at each single park may differ and vary from ride in prehistoric to areas where rings are suitable. Some equestrian campsites include steady or paddock restorations and facilities with showers. When there is need for reservations and details, one can contact Individual Park.

Facility state camping

States in Florida provide above fifty family comp rounds all through the entire state. RVers and full facility campsites for campers comprise electricity, water, a grill, and a picnic table, in conjunction with showers, which are centralized, dump stations and rest rooms. However, maximum RV lengths differ from park to park. To gain more information about reservation and camping, it is better to visit reservation information groups and informers.

Group camping in Florida states

In Florida, camping for adults as well as facilities for camping for both youths and adults is available at state parks. Adult camping must have an organized group of a minimum of six folks who are camping together. They must be under the sponsorship of members of a registered and recognized non profitable association.

They can or not are members of an organization, but they must be under the sponsorship of a reorganized society association, like the civic service club, a church or a benevolent. The capacity of services offered can vary from park to park. However, every state park must contain at least twenty groups as well as offering picnic tables and a fire ground ring. The priority is given to youth camping factions in these sites. Fees charged differ from one person to another, per a reservation as well as per a night. Furthermore, fees are directly, made to the individual park.

There are three parks that provide group camping facilities. These are O’Leno state park, Wekiwa Spring State park and Huge Taylor Birch state park. There are fixed group camping in facilities in camping locations. Facilities provided can be a kitchen, a cabin, dining halls among other facilities. Every group facility camping location can provide different services. Fees can also range from one hundred and fifty dollars per a night to half a million dollars. There are extra fees of five dollars that may or not be charged per a night. Reservation is to be directly made to the individual park.

Primitive state camping

There are many parks where primitive camping is available to folks who are comfortable with secluded locations in Florida. These are locations, which are not part of family camping grounds. They are special locations for folks who want to do camping private gears, like miles at the campsite. Accessibility and amenities offered at these camps can differ among different parks according to the services available. Furthermore, there are no electric powers of these sites. Furthermore, these camps can or not have convenient wash rooms or portable water facilities. Charges for primitive camping are five dollars per a single person in a single night. For reservations, only individual parks are directly contacted.

Youth state camping

Camping for youths is in the Florida state parks available but for organized groups only. A group should have a minimum of six folks who stay together. They must be sponsored by a member of a registered and recognized non profitable association. The group can be or not be a member of an association. However, they operate under the sponsorship of an association which is registered and recognized. These organizations include benevolent, civic service clubs and churches. The services available at every state park in Florida are differing from one state park to another. However, the state park must contain at least twenty groups as well as providing picnic tables and fire ground rings. Camping fees differ from one dollar of five dollars per a sole folk per a night. Reservations are directly made to the individual park.

If you want to have a great experience camping in Florida, you should visit one of Florida’s 160 state parks. The Florida State Park System is considered to be one of the best in the country. Each park in the system has something unique to offer, whether it is a stretch of beach, a nature reserve, a site of cultural or historical significance, or a museum. Whatever it is you want out of your camping holiday in Florida, you are bound to find it when you stay at one of Florida’s many state parks.

To get the most out of your holiday camping in Florida’s state parks, there are a few things you need to do before you leave for your trip. Planning your camping trip beforehand will help you enjoy yourself to the fullest as well as avoid any hassles that may mar your holiday. Good planning involves knowing who will go with you, what you intend to do while camping, what facilities you may need for your comfort, and what state park rules you need to abide by during your stay.

Consider Your Camping Companions

When you’re camping alone, planning your trip is always easy because you only have yourself to take care of. But when you’re with a group, you have to consider not just your own needs but those of your companions as well. In doing so, you ensure that all of you will have a fun holiday.

So, always consider the people who will be going with you on your camping trip. Do you have small kids coming with you? Then you should find a Florida state park that caters towards families and is kid-friendly. If you want to hang out with your friends for a long weekend, you need to go to a park where other campers won’t mind whatever ruckus you make. If you are going with your partner on a romantic camping getaway, or if you want to have some quiet time alone, you will want to go to a state park that is relatively isolated and known to be peaceful.

Decide What Activities You Want to Do

The type of activities you intend to engage in while camping is another important factor that you need to weigh in when planning your camping trip to Florida’s state parks. What you want to do during your camping trip will help you decide which state park to go. For example, if you want to go swimming, fishing or sunbathing, you may want to go to a place like Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola. If hiking or biking through nature trails is your thing, a perfect place for it is Highland Hammock State Park. If you want a little bit of everything, you’ll find it at Anastasia State Park.

Figure Out What Facilities You Need

Most people think of camping as roughing it outdoors, but a camping trip can be comfortable. It all depends on how comfortable you want to be. Florida’s state parks offer many camping facilities varying from primitive campsites to full-service campgrounds and cabins.

Primitive campsites are places where you are expected to rough it out. No water or electricity is offered at these campsites, and they are often accessible only by foot. Full-service campgrounds, on the other hand, are great for campers who have trailers or RVs. You can enjoy electricity and water at these campsites, sometimes even cable TV and Internet connection. As for camping cabins, you can find some that are as comfortable and as well-furnished as your own home.

Find Out the State Park Rules

The most important thing you need to know is the set of rules implemented at the Florida state park you’re staying at. Knowing these rules will save you a lot of headaches and help you avoid any trouble during your camping trip. These rules can range from check-in and checkout times, pet restrictions, quiet time, and others.

Camping in Florida’s state parks may be one of the most enriching experiences you’ll ever have. Planning your camping trip to one of these Florida state parks will certainly make your holiday a lot more enjoyable and memorable.

References:

Florida Parks