St. Augustine Beach KOA

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was designated in 1999 to protect and preserve a wide variety of plants and animals. You can spend time there with your rental motorhome near St. Augustine Beach KOA. It is one of 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country. The large, modern visitor center features interpretive exhibits, an aquarium, and classrooms, an auditorium, and an amphitheater for educational programming and presentations. Activities include self-guided scavenger hunts for adults and children as well as hiking trails including a cultural hike and a nature hike. Online animal and plant guides are available so that you can prepare for your visit. Also, make time to visit the Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area when you're camping with an RV near here. It contains small cypress domes, planted pine forest, and a series of large swamps that together comprise the headwaters of six significant tributary systems. Nearly 400 acres of the conservation area are designated for recreation; activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature and wildlife viewing. There are 2.2 miles of multi-use trails, including a self-guided interpretive trail designed to educate visitors on the workings of a commercial timber operation through educational signage along the trail. A trail map and information are available for download before your visit. The Matanzas State Forest is easily accessible with your St. Augustine camper rental, and you will not want to miss the chance to experience its natural beauty. Three-quarters of the forest is made up of pine plantations and the remaining quarter is wetlands and bay and cypress swamps. Turkeys, hogs, otters, songbirds, gopher tortoises, and wading marsh birds all make their homes in the forest. Native Americans may have had settlements here, and there are remnants and artifacts from turpentine camps. Recreational opportunities include hiking and biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, and nature and wildlife viewing and photography. Restrooms, picnic tables, and grills are available, and leashed pets are allowed.