What are you doing on your vacation in Florida? For most visitors, the answer is simple: grab a cold drink and head straight for the nearest beach. Given that the state is surrounded on three sides by ocean and surrounded by gorgeous beaches, it’s no surprise that many vacationers don’t stray far from the sand. While beach days are great, if you’re looking for something other than sunbathing and playing Spikeball, you’re in luck. When it comes to nature and outdoor recreation, the Sunshine State has much more to offer than just sandy beaches and there are plenty of excellent Florida cabin rentals to serve as a base to do it all.
To really get a taste of Florida’s unique landscapes, you have to venture inland. Its subtropical climate is home to a wide array of plants and animals not found in other states. In the south, Everglades National Park spans 1.5 million acres of freshwater swamps, tropical hammocks, pine forests, cypress stands, mangroves, and more. Big Cypress National Reserve, located just to the north, encompasses an additional 729,000 acres of Big Cypress Swamp. Both locations offer plenty of hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and various ranger-led tours and activities, and you’ll have the chance to spot rare wildlife, like manatees and roseate spoonbills.
There are three national forests spread across the northern part of the state, including Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, which offers biking and hiking trails as well as excellent fishing spots. The 1,500 miles long Florida Trail is the state’s answer to the Appalachian Trail – it stretches from the Florida Panhandle to the Big Cypress National Preserve, passing through a variety of subtropical landscapes along the way. The state is also dotted with 700 natural springsincluding some you can snorkel in (keep an eye out for visiting manatees) and 175 state parks.
Of course, there’s plenty to do on the ocean too, and you don’t have to be in Miami or Tampa to do it. You can rent a boat, book a fishing charter, or snorkel and dive along the massif Florida Reefwhich stretches 350 miles along the state’s southeast coast and through the Florida Keys.
Late fall through early spring is usually the best time to visit; Florida summers can be extremely hot and humid. (However, keep in mind that North Florida can be cold in the winter.) Also beware of hurricane season, which runs from June through late November. Expect an afternoon rain shower, but trust it will pass.
The cabins below will help you get a taste of all that Florida has to offer. For those used to dusty log cabins in the woods, you’ll notice the choices below are decidedly seaside (think tiled floors, airy spaces, lots of bright decor). Take a break from the Knotty Pine – this is Florida, after all.
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