Florida's South Central Gulf Coast

The South-Central part of Florida along the Gulf Coast is much more than the famous white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, there is an abundance of state parks, county parks, and preserves which contain Florida's original habitats of days gone by. Just off the Central portion of the Gulf Coast is The Little Manatee River State Park, where the river flows for 4.5 miles through 11 unique natural communities. With over eight miles of hiking trails, this park has one of the premier trail systems in Southwest Florida, displaying some of Florida's natural ecosystem. The Southern portion of the park has three stacked loops covering just over two miles where the trail skirts the river through an oxbow wetland, scrubby flatwoods, sand pine, and oak scrub. Located in the wilderness area in the North half of the park are two stacked loops covering just over six miles, where the rustic trail leads through floodplains, scrubby flatwoods, riverine hammock, and mature sand pine forests. The trail crosses Cypress Creek and winds its way over tall bluffs of the river bank offering picturesque overlooks of the Little Manatee River. Just off the coast of Dunedin is Honeymoon Island State Park, one of Florida's best-loved parks due to the four miles of white powdery beaches and crystal-clear water to the 2.5-mile hiking trail through one of the few remaining virgin slash pine forest in Florida. In addition, located at the trail head are pavilions complete with tables, grills, and a playground. Just East of Sarasota is Florida's first state-designated scenic and wild river which flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled prairies, pine lands, hammocks, and wetlands making up the Myakka River State Park, where miles of hiking and biking trails wind their way through arching palm trees, and live oaks that reflect upon a tea-colored stream. The highlight of the park is the Myakka Canopy Walkway suspended 25 feet above the ground and stretches 100 feet through an oak and hammock canopy. The walkway sits just off the 1-mile nature trail loop through palms and hammocks. Trails, history, and white sandy beaches with crystal clear water makes up Fort De Soto Park just South of St. Petersburg. The parks 1-mile loop and 1.25-mile loop nature trails winds through native fauna, flora, pines, and palms displaying many species of bird's natural habitat. Fort De Soto was built in 1898 during the Spanish-American War to protect the Tampa Bay area which became the port of embarkation for U.S. troops and supplies headed to the Caribbean war zones. In 1977 Fort De Soto was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The parks seven miles of waterfront provides 3 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches making this park one of the most popular on the central Gulf Coast. Once a natural eco system turned to agriculture land, Terra Ceia Preserve is now the site of a major habitat restoration project restoring it back to its previous ecologically diverse state. Three trails covering nine miles leads through wetlands and lush forest where migrating birds take shelter as this land now plays an important role in Florida's natural environment. Now a historic site where James Alderman built his homestead in 1848 along the Alafia River has become a hot spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Alderman's Ford Conservation Parks six plus miles of trails over four different loops, winds their way through bottomland forest, creeks, and pine flatwoods, and portions of the Alafia River flowing over limestone boulders that are mesmerizing to hear and watch. The half-mile boardwalk loop perched six feet above the forest floor allows for excellent views of the Alafia River as it winds through a thick forest of palms and oaks. Since my wife and I started camping we have discovered that camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors and to experience what mother nature and North America has to offer. One of the joys of camping is having all your home essentials with you. explorenorthamericawithus Besides, what better way to meet new and exciting people than by camping. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10330486