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State Park Staycations
08/29/08 - 09:12 AM
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
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click for larger image Tallahassee, Fla:

TAKE AN END OF SUMMER STATE PARK “STAYCATION”
~Beat the summer heat at a Florida State Park~

Tallahassee – With the summer vacation season winding down, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Florida residents to plan one last “staycation” at any one of Florida’s 161 award-winning state parks.

“A “staycation” is a great way for travelers to get away without depleting their wallets and gas tanks and explore Florida’s natural and cultural resources in their own backyards,” said DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks Director Mike Bullock. “With Florida’s abundance of springs, rivers and beaches in state parks, guests can beat the summer heat while remaining close to home and avoiding the stress of a long distance trip.”

To locate a slice of …the Real FloridaSM within a 100-mile radius of a select Florida city, log on to the Florida State Parks Web page at www.floridastateparks.org. The One-Tank Adventures feature can be found by selecting “Find a Park,” then “Find State Parks near a Florida City.” By visiting Florida’s natural and cultural resources instead of making an out-of-state road trip not only reduces expenses it also enables travelers’ to reduce their carbon footprint, enjoy an unique part of nature and remain environmentally conscientious. 

There are a multitude of state parks that offer cool, clear waters provided by springs, rivers and beaches. These parks are a unique part of Florida’s ecosystem and offer plenty of activities such as swimming, kayaking, tubing, picnicking and camping. From cooling off at Wakulla Springs, one of the world’s deepest and largest freshwater springs in Florida’s northern region, to chilling out at Central Florida’s Caladesi Island State Park, the number one beach in the nation, Florida’s state parks provide visitors with many opportunities for a relaxing “staycation.” “Staycations” don’t have to be expensive either, the regular park entrance fee for most state parks is $4.00 per carload of two to eight people, $3.00 for one person in a car and $1.00 per pedestrian or bicyclist.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 161 parks spanning nearly 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage. Florida’s state parks are also home to the 2008 Best Beach in the nation, Caladesi Island State Park, located off the coast of Southwest Florida in Pinellas County.

To locate a Florida State Park or plan a state park “staycation,” visit www.floridastateparks.org.

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