Florida State Parks

Lake Griffin State Park

reweidman50 Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , ,


Encompassing 620 acres just north of Leesburg, Lake Griffin State Park is home to the second-largest oak tree in Florida! A short trail leads off a small parking lot to the right just after the ranger station to this massive live oak tree. The sign in front of the live oak tree reads, “This live oak tree is the second largest oak tree in the state of Florida and is estimated to be between 300-500 years old. It serves as a home for many species of mammals and birds and may even have been a landmark for the Timuca Indians who frequented the area before settlement and later the Seminole Indians. The first settlers discovered the tree in 1811, since then it has attracted tourists from the entire nation.” In addition, the park features two hiking trails, campground, canoe/kayak rentals and guided pontoon boat tours. Lake Griffin State Park is located at 3089 U.S. 441-27 in Fruitland Park.

Hike #20: Paynes Creek Historic State Park

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida State Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #20, 52 Hike Challenge: Paynes Creek Historic State Park. On Sunday, we got the opportunity to search for fossilized shark’s teeth at a secluded creek near Bowling Green in lightly populated Hardee County. Very cool experience! Since we were in the area, we decided to check out Paynes Creek Historic State Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located at the site of Fort Chokonikla (built in 1849). We took a short hike to the confluence of Paynes Creek and the Peace River (very scenic!). Unfortunately, the Suspension Bridge pictured above is closed to hikers. A Visitor Center depicts “the lives of Florida’s Seminoles and pioneers during the mid-1800s.” Paynes Creek Historic State Park is located at 888 Lake Branch Road. Distance: 1.2 miles.

Bahia Honda Rail Bridge

reweidman50 Florida History, Florida Keys, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,


Completed in 1912, the Overseas Railroad (aka “Flagler’s Folly” and the “Eighth Wonder of the World”) was partially destroyed by the tragic Labor Day Hurricane in 1935. Today, visitors to the Florida Keys heading down the Overseas Highway toward Key West can view the only remaining segment of the railroad, the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, between Bahia Honda Key (home to Bahia Honda State Park) and Scout Key (formerly known as West Summerland Key). We pulled off at Scout Key and took a short stroll along a sandy path to an overlook where the road ends abruptly (be careful since there is quite a drop-off and no barriers of any kind). The reward is a great view of the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge itself. On the way back to the car, we noticed a creepy, rusted-out scooter (see image above). For more information about the fascinating history of the Overseas Railroad, I recommend Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean (2003) by Lee Standiford.

 

Hike #14: Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Forts, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #14, 52 Hike Challenge: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. We hiked around a few of the trails for a great view of Fort Zachary Taylor, a National Historic Landmark that was named after President Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) and constructed in the mid-1850s. The fort was occupied by Union forces throughout the Civil War. Key West is not known for its great beaches, but Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is by far the best of the bunch. You can even grab an ice-cold beer at the onsite Cayo Hueso Cafe! Distance: 1.2 miles.

 

Hike #11: Rainbow Springs State Park

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Attractions, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Rivers, Florida Springs, Florida State Parks, Uncategorized , ,


Hike #11, 52 Hike Challenge: Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon. We had an awesome time wandering around Rainbow Springs State Park yesterday.  One of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions, Rainbow Springs (formerly known as Blue Springs) once featured “underwater cruise boats,” a raft adventure, animal park, rodeo arena, swamp garden, Rainbow Queen Paddleboat and monorail. In addition, portions of the long-forgotten movie, Tarzan and the Brown Prince (1972) were filmed here. The attraction closed in 1974 and the state purchased Rainbow Springs in 1995. Today, the park offers swimming, canoe/kayak rentals, campground, picnic areas, butterfly garden, waterfalls and nature trails, as well as a concession stand and gift shop. Remnants of the old zoo can also be viewed near the butterfly garden. Rainbow Springs State Park is located three miles north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41. Distance: 1.2 miles.