State Parks near Sanford, FL

Located in central Florida, at the south prong of the Alafia River, is the small community of Lithia, Florida. Less than an hour from Sarasota, Zephyrhills, and Tampa, Lithia is home to Alafia River State Park.This park used to be a phosphate mine back in the day. Once abandoned, nature took hold and reclaimed the area. Due to the mining practices, the park’s terrain is unlike any other. Alafia has steep cliffs, man-made lakes, and thick forested areas.Whether you like to hike, swim, or mountain bike, Alafia River State Park has you covered. Get your RV rental all hooked up at one of their many beautiful sites and you're good to go. Rent an RV …

Occupying more than 1,600 acres, Anastasia State Park is a wonderland of sandy beaches, lush maritime forest, and wildlife-rich marshlands. It's a top destination for state park RV camping and is just three miles from St. Augustine, which means you can combine an outdoor adventure with a tour of America's oldest city.There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Florida sunshine, whether you're hiking along nature trails, exploring paddling routes, or basking on the beach. Step back in time at historic sites like Coquina Quarry and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, or discover a bundle of family-friendly attractions within spitting distance of the campground.

Just under a two-hour drive from Montgomery, Blue Springs State Park in Clio is the perfect place for a slower paced vacation. Search for an RV in Barbour County and head over to Blue Springs State Park for a restful weekend or a fun-filled week of hiking and swimming. This isn't just a park for summertime fun -- Alabama’s weather allows for camping with an RV most of the year, which gives you the opportunity to take in some of the festivals in nearby Eufaula.When most people think of Blue Springs State Park, they will usually think of the state park of the same name located in Florida. However, Blue Springs State Park in Clio is located …

Along the St. Johns River, centrally located at the epicenter between Ocala, Orlando, and Gainesville is Orange City, Florida. This city boasts a quaint, small-town atmosphere and the lovely Blue Spring State Park. This 2,600-acre park isn’t the largest one around, but it’ll make up for its size with its ever-warm swimming spots and its successful manatee refuge program.Wildlife thrives here in the subtropical climate. The warm river and acreage of mossy trees is the perfect habitat for alligators, turtles, fish, and birds. Birders, keep your eyes peeled, and you just might find a rare bald eagle or the Florida scrub-jay. RV camping at Blue Spring State Park will set you up for a nice, relaxing …

If you're searching for a pristine and peaceful camping destination in central Florida, Colt Creek State Park offers more than 5,000 acres to explore and enjoy. Located 16 miles north of Lakeland, the park is home to longleaf pine flatwoods, winding creeks, pretty lakes, and a diverse range of native wildlife. It's a destination that offers great hiking, fishing, paddling, and birding, not to mention tranquil surroundings for anyone just looking to escape the city for a while.Best of all, the Colt Creek State Park RV campground is clean, comfortable, and equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay. Keep reading to find out what to do and where to go to get the most out of …

Since the 1880s, people have been making their way to Devils Millhopper Geological State Park to explore the curiosities within. The state park is located in sandy terrain and palm forests in Florida and is made up of a bowl-shaped cavity that is 120 feet deep and leads down to a miniature rainforest.Devils Millhopper Geological State Park became a designated National Natural Landmark in 1976 and is an incredible example of the results of a collapsed sinkhole. When you see the rushing cascades of water and vibrant plant life, you’ll think you are in the Amazon or Hawaii rather than the state of Florida. The closest town to the park is Gainesville, although Alachua and Newberry are also close, …

Named after the famous Floridian folk singer, Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a wonderful destination for water-loving outdoor enthusiasts. Located at Flagler Beach, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, this pretty little park offers great fishing, paddling, surfing, and swimming opportunities.It's also home to two peaceful campgrounds and a total of 68 campsites, so it's a lovely spot to set up camp for a few nights or more in a rental RV. Keep reading to find out how to get the most out of your visit to this excellent state park.

Looking at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park from above reveals a sliver of turquoise in a sea of green. Located just under 30 miles northwest of Gainesville and 90 miles east of the state capital of Jacksonville, this small, secluded state park is only 407 acres, but contains six springs and a mile of Sante Fe River shoreline.Privately owned since 1958, Blue Spring Park was purchased by the state of Florida in 2017 and was renamed Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park shortly thereafter. This state park is packed with dense tropical greenery broken only by the blue springs and streams leading to the bustling Sante Fe River and the cities beyond.

With a diverse range of native flora and fauna, excellent hiking trails, and more wildlife watching opportunities than you can poke a stick at, Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the treasures of Florida's state parks system.Located less than five miles west of Sebring, this 9,251-acre park was created in 1931 to protect a unique and fragile ecosystem. It's home to more rare species than any other park in the state, and it's also well-known as the perfect destination for an RV camping getaway.Keep reading to find out what there is to do in Highlands Hammock State Park and how to plan the perfect camping trip.

Hillsborough River State Park is a prime destination for your summer holiday, offering easy access to the big city alongside the serene solitude of nature. The park is close to Thonotosassa (eight miles), Zephyrhills (ten miles), and Brandon (17 miles). This is particularly important for visitors looking to purchase camping supplies or rent an RV near Hillsborough River State Park. The bright lights of downtown Tampa are just over half an hour from the park.Most of the park's acreage is covered with oaks, pines, and saw palmettos, while other parts of the park are swampy. As far as fauna is concerned, some of the most common species include alligators, sandhill cranes, and red-shouldered hawks.Aside from observing the wildlife …

Honeymoon Island State Park is a large barrier island situated on Florida’s west coast. It was once connected to nearby Caladesi Island before a major hurricane split the land. The state park gets its name from the many honeymooners who would flock to the beach during the 1940s. However, this changed during World War II when many went off to war.Besides its stunning coastal views, Honeymoon Island State Park is filled with interesting flora and fauna that includes mangroves and bald eagles. The area is very warm year-round with occasional rain or thunderstorms.

Okeechobee County is in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie metropolitan area. The county has a humid subtropical climate, but it is at the warmest extreme of humid subtropical climates. The summers are very hot, and the winters are very mild. The average temperature in January is just barely low enough that the county is not classified as a rainforest or tropical monsoon climate.From Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee campers can drive to Port St. Lucie in about an hour. West Palm Beach is under two hours away, and Sarasota is about two hours. The closest big city, Tampa, is a little over two hours to the northwest. Outdoor enthusiasts who book an RV in Okeechobee County can reach …