How to spend a few weeks in Florida in the winter

Part II - 2026

We really enjoyed Florida’s state parks and the warmer weather last year, so we decided to head back and explore more of Florida. This time, we had a little more experience, a better idea of what we liked, and plenty of new places we wanted to see. 

 The Adventure - A winter storm was moving in, so we had to leave earlier than expected. What started as a planned departure quickly turned into a race to get ahead of the storm. 

The Ordeal - After driving six hours and staying ahead of the winter storm, we finally stopped for the night. We hooked up the water to de-winterize the camper, only to discover a major leak. It turned out that not all of the water lines had been properly winterized by the RV service center.

 Tips - The unexpected will always show up, that’s just part of RV travel. When we discovered the water leak, we used the internet to help figure out where the problem was and find an RV technician who could make the repair. After this experience, I think we’ll winterize the camper ourselves from now on. We know our camper better than anyone else, and sometimes doing it yourself gives you a little more peace of mind. 

Our Itinerary

Fort Clinch State Park

Our first stop in Florida was Fort Clinch State Park. The campground has two loops and is very well maintained, with plenty to explore around the park. The historic Fort Clinch is the main attraction, and the beach is a popular spot for hunting for shark teeth.

We also visited downtown Fernandina Beach. It’s small, but cute and easy to walk around. There are also plenty of trails and quiet roads around the area that are great for biking.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

This park is a must-stop if you’re in the area. The campground is small and is designated as a Dark Sky site, making it a great place for stargazing.

The wide-open prairie reminded us of the African Savannah, mostly because of the landscape’s shape and colors. We hiked on the Prairie Loop Trail and road our bikes on the the Five Mile Prairie Loop Trail, exploring the open landscape along the way. We saw a variety of birds and, of course, plenty of alligators. It was one of those stops where the scenery is simple but the experience is anything but ordinary.

Myakka River State Park

Myakka River State Park is a great park for biking, with several miles of flat, paved roads to checkout. The park also has a canopy walk that connects two towers and gives you a different view of the surrounding landscape. We saw plenty of vultures during our visit and enjoyed the walk along the river from the campground, which was great for birding and walking the dog.

If you venture onto some of the sandy trails, be prepared for soft sand. We found Beehive Road difficult to ride because of it. Myakka was also a good place to catch up on laundry and take care of some of those travel chores.

Fort De Soto Campground

The campground is close to the beach and within easy biking distance. A bike trail from the campground takes you right to the beach, making it easy to explore the area without moving the truck.

While there, we rode our bikes to Fort De Soto and then over to East Beach, covering about eight miles. We also hiked several trails around the park headquarters and saw several parakeets and a ton of ospreys. Another day, we took our kayaks out on Mullet Bay and enjoyed exploring the water. There was plenty to do here, and we could easily have stayed a few more days.

St Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA

We returned to this campground for our second stay, this time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Our site had one of the best views of the water, making it a great place to relax.

We rode our bikes into downtown St. Petersburg on the Pinellas Trail. The trail is paved and mostly flat, making for an easy ride. We headed to the Imagine Museum in the Warehouse Arts District, enjoying the murals, small restaurants, and interesting sights along the way. It was a great way to spend the day roaming around St. Petersburg by bike.

Ross Prairie State Park

We only spent one day at Ross Prairie State Park, but if you’re into biking, you could easily spend several days here. The park doesn’t have a lot of facilities, but it makes up for that with miles of trails and plenty of opportunities to wonder around. It’s a small, quiet park that would be worth a longer stay for anyone who enjoys trail riding. 

Ochlockonee River State Park

This was a quiet campground along the river and far enough from the highway to feel peaceful. The park has several easy hiking trails that follow the river and wind through the woods.

We also tried kayaking here, but the river currents can be strong and the wind can really pick up. It made for a more challenging paddle than we expected, so keep an eye on the conditions if you plan to kayak.

St. Andrews State Park

The campground is large, with about 150 full-hookup sites. It’s newer, well maintained, and some sites have nice waterfront views. There are a few short nature trails and a paved loop that’s great for biking. The park also offers a boat ride over to Shell Island, but unfortunately, it wasn’t running during our winter visit.

For us, the weather was cold and very windy, so we spent some time exploring, Harrison St,  downtown Panama City. The downtown area is being revitalized, with restored buildings, small shops, and restaurants. We spent the day wandering around and checking it out.

Three Rivers State Park

The campground is small, with about 30 sites. The sites are fairly open, and some have nice views of the lake. There was also an eagle’s nest nearby, and we were lucky enough to see the nesting eagles.

We spent a lot of time hiking and enjoying the quiet surroundings. It was a great place to enjoy our last few days in Florida before heading home.

Links to helpful Websites.

 Florida State Parks

Geocaching