Around this time of year when the temperature drops, the mosquitoes disappear and the air acquires that deliciously smoky aroma, camping is a must-do. Whether you’re out with a group of friends, family or by yourself, a night under the Milky Way is the perfect way to unwind and recharge over the weekend. To help get your adventure started, here are some camping spots near UWF worth checking out.
Organized by Distance from Campus:
1. Fort Pickens State Park
Photo via The Pulse
If you’re looking for something close, this is the best spot for you. Plus, camping at historic Fort Pickens means spending the night on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
2. Big Lagoon State Park
Photo via Coastal Living
Another camping spot close to campus is Big Lagoon State Park. Big Lagoon offers beautiful trails for walking and biking, bays and beaches for fishing and geo-seeking among other activities.
3. Gulf State Park, AL
Photo via Alabama State Parks
Sometimes staying in Florida feels too close, and you need to get out of the state for the weekend. Luckily, Alabama is just a little under an hour away!
4. Magnolia Branch Wildlife Preserve, AL
Photo via Midwestern Plants
If you’d rather head up north, drive about an hour past the Alabama border to visit the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Preserve. This site is special for many reasons. But it’s distinct from the other places on this list for one major reason: horses! At Magnolia Branch, you can go horseback riding, hiking and tubing.
5. Rocky Bayou State Park
Photo via Florida State Parks
Just an hour away by car, you can camp on the Choctawhatchee River, and go kayaking, boating and fishing.
6. Henderson Beach State Park
Photo via U.S. News
What could be better than a campfire on the beach? A day trip over to Destin could easily turn into a sandy night under the stars in this gorgeous state park.
7. Grayton Beach State Park
Photo via 30A Escapes
A little farther down in Walton County is the pristine Grayton Beach. Grayton Beach is a great place to go kayaking through the dunes and out into the Gulf. If you’ve never been to 30A, you should certainly take a weekend to explore it!
8. St. Andrews
Photo by Katie Dineen
Of all the places I’ve camped, St. Andrews was definitely one of my all-time favorites. When I went, I saw a great horned owl above my head, had a deer walk about three feet from me and snorkeled in crystal-clear, fish-filled water. It’s about two and a half hours away, and the drive goes by quick singing good music with people you love.
Cover photo by Katie Dineen