Hankering to visit a Florida state park? Give in to the urge. Our state parks promise to show the real Florida, and generally deliver on that promise. I’ve found the real magic often kicks in when I’m ...

Bee Island doesn’t look like an island. There’s no water in sight. But back when Myakka River State Park was just one massive grassy cattle pasture, this stretch of elevated ground was home to the ...

Ah, there’s nothing like camping in the great outdoors. But setting up tents and buying expensive camping gear can be as much fun as decoding Ikea instructions. Fortunately, there’s an alternative.

Visiting a Florida state park is the perfect getaway. For this nature-loving day trip, I chose Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County on the west side of Florida. As you enter the park’s dense ...

A project is underway to raise the cabbage palm cabins and pavilions at the park, which frequently floods.

Visiting a Florida state park is the perfect getaway. For this nature-loving day trip, I chose Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County on the west side of Florida. As you enter the park’s dense ...