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How to spend a few weeks in Florida in the winter
2025
If you’re not a fan of cold, dark January and February days, you head somewhere warm and sunny! For us, that meant Florida—just a thirteen-hour drive or a two-day road trip from home. In 2025, we decided to explore Florida state parks. They're affordable, easy to book online, well-maintained, and spread throughout the state, offering a wide variety of unique settings to enjoy.
The Adventure - Camping for 4 weeks with our dog. This was our longest camping journey to date and a test case for going west for eight weeks in the fall.
The Ordeal - Our brand new laptop got caught in the camper slide as it extended—pinched between the slide and the wall. The screen cracked, but thankfully it was repairable once we got home.
Tips - Most trips don’t go exactly as planned. Expect the hiccups because the unexpected always shows up. When it happens, take a deep breath, count to ten, or do whatever helps you reset. Usually, the unplanned moments become best stories you laugh about and share with friends.
Our Itinerary
Spanish Moss - an air plant (epiphyte) hanging from trees
Out having an adventure
Anastasia Campground
Our first stop was Anastasia State Park, a stunning coastal gem along the Atlantic. The park features several scenic trails to explore and offers easy access to the beach—perfect for a relaxing start to our trip. It's conveniently located just minutes from historic St. Augustine. But it is not swimming weather during January and February at this latitude.
Entrance photo op
Shuttle cockpit
Space shuttle Atlantis
Houston we have a winner!
Joy RV Resort/Kennedy Space Center
Traveling down Florida’s east coast, we couldn’t resist the chance to visit the Kennedy Space Center. Over the course of two days, we explored real spacecraft, met a former astronaut, and immersed ourselves in NASA’s incredible space history. One of the major highlights was standing just feet away from Space Shuttle Atlantis—a truly awe-inspiring moment. The only thing we missed was witnessing a rocket launch in person, but there's always next time.
Full moon
The Pier
St. Petersburg KOA
St. Petersburg KOA
Taking a break from the state parks, we tried an RV resort. While a bit pricier, it came with added perks—pickle ball courts, a pool, shuffleboard, a hot tub, and a vibrant camp community. The campground sits right on the Pinellas Trail, perfect for a bike ride or morning jog.
It’s just minutes from St. Petersburg, a city known for its lively arts scene, including the world-renowned Salvador Dalí Museum, as well as a bustling downtown filled with waterfront parks and excellent restaurants.
We only stayed a few days, but we really enjoyed the change of pace and the extra amenities.
Gopher Tortoise
Armadillo
Geocaching
Little Manatee River
Little Manatee State Park
This charming campground is an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway. It boasts a variety of scenic trails—some of the most picturesque meandering alongside the Little Manatee River. Since we missed our chance during our previous stop, we made the 45-minute drive back to St. Petersburg to explore the Salvador Dalí Museum.
We enjoy incorporating geocaching into our hikes. Luckily, this campground offers several hidden caches to discover. For added convenience, campers also have access to an on-site washer and dryer.
A Dali break
Interesting?
Having fun with Dali
Looks like Lincoln
Salvador Dalí Museum
For us, the real fun of camping lies in exploring beyond the campground. While it’s refreshing to be surrounded by nature, we also enjoy discovering nearby attractions. Visiting the Dalí Museum was a fantastic way to spend the day—the museum features several well-known masterpieces that truly captivated us.
One of many
A manatee pod
Manatee spotting
Swim in the spring
Manatee Springs State Park
Manatee Springs State Park is one of many Florida parks centered around a natural spring. Its crystal-clear water flows year-round at a steady 72 degrees, eventually feeding into the Suwannee River. True to its name, the park is a haven for manatees—we counted about eighteen swimming gracefully in the spring.
One of the park’s standout features is the scenic boardwalk that winds along the spring’s edge, offering stunning views of the water and local wildlife. There are also plenty of trails for both hiking and biking, making it an ideal stop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Just outside the park, in nearby Chiefland, a large flea market takes place every Saturday—perfect for a casual afternoon of browsing and bargain hunting.
Sugar Sand
Out for a hike
Osprey with a fish
A walk on the beach
Dr. Julian G. Bruce State Park
This state park is located on a barrier island along the Gulf Coast, offering miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches. The campground is nestled among sugar-white dunes and coastal marshes, creating a peaceful and scenic setting.
With abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, and kayaking, it’s the perfect place to unplug and reconnect with nature—one of the many reasons we love camping. We stayed here for several nights and honestly wished we could have stayed even longer.
Blackwater River State Park
Pine Forest
Blackwater River
Rock and Rollers
Blackwater River State Park
Blackwater River State Park is located in the northern Panhandle of Florida and was our final stop before heading back to Pennsylvania. We rented kayaks and floated down the Blackwater River, encountering wildlife—and a few spirited rock-and-rollers—along the way.
The park also offers miles of scenic trails and even connects to Florida’s National Scenic Trail system, making it a fantastic destination for hiking and outdoor adventure.
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