DeLand / St. Johns River KOA

Camp in an RV near DeLand and head north to the Ocala National Forest, which is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River. It sprawls across a large area of sand pine scrub forest and is dotted with natural springs, lakes, and ponds where you can swim, canoe, fish, snorkel, and scuba dive. Stretch your legs along one of the many hiking trails that include the Salt Springs Observation Trail and the Yearling Trail, which access a natural sinkhole and the remains of homesteads dating from the 19th century. The Ocala National Forest is also becoming popular with mountain bikers thanks to the challenging 22-mile-long Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail. Alternatively, you can head south to the Seminole State Forest, which encompasses more than 25,000 acres of forest to the west of Deltona. It’s renowned for its ecological diversity, with almost all of the native vegetative communities of Central Florida represented here. In addition, it’s also home to a number of rare and threatened wildlife species, including Florida black bear and scrub-jay. A variety of multi-use trails traverse the park, with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders welcome to explore, although only hiking is permitted on the Florida National Scenic Trail. Canoeing is also popular on Black Water Creek, which forms part of the nationally designated Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System. Between the Ocala National Forest and Seminole State Forest lies the Lake Norris Conservation Area, a 3,660-acre wetland that’s a recreation hub for hiking, cycling, canoeing, and fishing. Lake Norris is an impressive dark-water lake that supports a large population of osprey, with more than 100 active nests recorded in the cypress trees that surround its waters. Aside from osprey, the reserve is also home to gopher tortoises, alligators, and a variety of snakes, together with forming part of the Florida black bear corridor.