This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.
Florida might just be my favorite state. It’s definitely my favorite state for vanlife. It’s built for road trips and if you can get past “Florida man” there is loads of nature to explore. But planning our Florida road trip I was disappointed to see every single travel blog recommend the same (crappy) places.
You’re not going to find that here.
This Florida road trip guide is going to focus on nature, scenery, stunning drives, and of course, beaches. No Disneyworld or tourist-trap towns here.
Because Florida, undoubtedly, has some of the coolest natural attractions in the country and unfortunately few travelers know about them.
Let’s take a look at some of the more scenic and lesser known destinations that Florida has to offer.
Why Plan a Florida Road Trip?
There’s 3 reasons Florida makes for such a perfect road trip vacation destination.
1. Florida is huge.
You can drive South for 8 hours and you’ll still be in the same state. While you can blow through multiple states on a typical week-long road trip, Florida takes some time to see right. We spent 2 weeks bouncing around Florida’s beaches and I still felt it wasn’t enough.
2. Beaches.
From the still silky waters of the Gulf Coast to the crashing waves of the Atlantic, Florida has a beach for everyone.
3. Wildlife.
Florida is teeming with wildlife. & unless you’re from the South it can feel as foreign as traveling to the other side of the world. 500 species of birds alone reside in Florida, not to mention alligators, crocodiles, beavers, foxes, panthers, manatees, even a colony of monkeys.
4. The weather.
Vanlife can be really hard sometimes. But it’s a lot less difficult when the weather is good. After all, road trips and sunshine go hand in hand. & if you’re looking to escape the crisp winters of the Northern US, a winter Florida road trip is the perfect getaway.
Tips for Planning Your Florida Road Trip
Here’s a few things you should know before you hit the open road.
Avoid Hurricane Season.
Although Florida has warm balmy weather pretty much year-round, it does get a hurricane or two. Plan your Florida road trip around hurricane season which typically falls from June to November.
Vanlife or RV Rental is the way to go.
Vanlife in Florida is a piece of cake. & if you want to explore the hidden gems on my road trip map below you’re going to have a hard time finding accommodation nearby. I highly recommend exploring Florida via van or RV.
Fortunately, if you’re not converting your own DIY Campervan there are plenty of rental options for you.
RV Share is one of the cheapest options on the market for RV rentals & is available all over the US. Better yet? You’ll be renting from other RV owners & supporting individuals instead of mega-corporations.
Or if Vanlife is more your style you can always check out Jucy or Escape Vans for low-priced converted van rentals.
& if you are building your own campervan then be sure to avoid these pitfalls that made our DIY van build a lot harder.
For more tips be sure to check out our full Florida Van Life blog post on avoiding bugs, where to find free overnight parking, showers & more.
Your Ultimate Florida Road Trip
Now let’s dive into the lagoons and swamps of Florida. There are two essential components when planning a road trip.
The destinations and the roads we use to get there.
I wrote up a whole other blog post focused on the most scenic stretches of Florida backroads for your road trip. Instead, we’re going to focus on the must-see stops you absolutely cannot miss on your Florida road trip.
21 Stops You Absolutely Cannot Miss
Notice you’re not going to find Disneyworld, Miami Beach, or St. Augustine on this list. Because they aren’t the best places to visit in Florida. They are the most touristy places to visit. But that’s not what this list is about.
1. Amelia Island
If tranquillity is what you’re looking for this– is the place to start. Not technically an island in the traditional sense Amelia Island is a lovely serene stretch of Florida coastline & it bodes well for the rest of your journey down the East Coast.
Hot Tip: I recommend driving through Fernandina Beach Town (a quaint alternative to St. Augustine) & then driving down the A1A until you reach a public boardwalk to the sand and enjoy a few hours on the beach.
2. Silver Glen Springs in Ocala National Forest
If I had to pick a favorite place in Florida, this is it. Ocala National Forest is a sprawling wooded area filled with turquoise lagoons and of course, the main attraction, manatees. For $6 a person you get a day pass to Silver Glen Springs. An undeveloped thermal-heated natural lagoon you can swim in, paddleboard, or kayak year-round. Leaping mullet fish, palm trees, and cormorants sunning on the shores give this lagoon an exotic tropical feel.
If you’re interested in the Manatees, visit during the winter months (Nov-Jan) when they leave the cooler open water and head for the warmth of the lagoons. During our visit, a mama & her baby swam within 10 feet of us!!
Hot Tip: Bring a snorkel. The water is crystal clear but you’ll want to get a better peek at the manatees and their underwater world.
3. Blue Spring State Park
More Manatees!
I just couldn’t get enough of these floaty potatoes. If you didn’t see manatees during your visit to Silver Glen Springs you’re almost guaranteed to see them here. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees gather in the protected canals to graze. You can’t swim with them here but you can get a great view of them from the elevated walkways around the water’s edge.
Hot Tip: Rent a kayak & paddle over to the protected manatee area. Manatees are extremely curious and we had a group of 6 come for a visit. They circled around us, poked their noses out of the water, and bumped against our kayak. You’ll probably also see Ibis, Alligators, Great Herons, and tons of other wildlife if you explore further. Best $27 I’ve ever spent.
4. Vero Beach
& now it’s back to the beaches!
I loved Vero beach because it felt undeveloped and isolated. Sure, there are plenty of houses but the beach wasn’t crowded and for the most part bare of mega-hotels.
5. Blind Creek Nude Beach
Floridians love a nude beach. They are everywhere.
Blind Creek Nude Beach was hands down my favorite. People were friendly (not creepy), the beach was huge, the waves were tame, & the sand was soft.
Hot Tip: Don’t visit a nude beach (or any beach) right after a Florida rain. Sand Fleas will be thriving and you’ll be covered in bites in no time.
6. Lake Okeechobee
This massive freshwater lake is known as Florida’s inland sea. Its placid waters reflect the blue sky & the lake is great for bird watching. There’s also some nice hiking trails to explore for the day.
7. Juno Beach
What can I say….another great beach stop on the East Coast. Juno is near West Palm Beach so it’s a great slightly less popular alternative for those trying to escape the crowds. The long pier extends way over the bright blue water and on a still day you have the chance to spot some fish in the waves.
Hot Tip: You do have to pay $1 to go on the pier.
8. Haulover Beach
Miami’s most popular ‘naturalist’ beach. & it’s stunningly gorgeous. The Miami skyline shoots out of the sand in the distance and it’s close enough to the city to make an easy getaway after breakfast.
9. Key Biscayne
My favorite part of the Miami area.
This little island connected by a large sea-bridge is gorgeous. We stealth camped in the main town center here so that we could watch the sunrise at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park–famous for its white lighthouse.
Hot Tip: Be sure to catch the sunset at Crandon Park just across the bridge toward Key Biscayne. Get there early because you definitely won’t be alone.
10. Matheson Hammock Park
Looking for a more family friendly beach? This breezy man-made atoll is about as idyllic as it gets. & everyone should be fully clothed.
11. Biscayne National Park
Unfortunately, we didn’t actually make it here.
Jutting off the East Coast of Florida you might confuse it with the Keys. These little islands are not connected via land bridge however. So, you’ll have to hop on a boat. But the most beautiful destinations are often difficult to reach.
World class snorkeling, diving, fishing, and canoeing through the mangroves can keep you busy for weeks. It’s truly one of the best hidden gems of Florida and although difficult to reach on a road trip…so worth it.
12. The Florida Keys
The keys might as well be an entirely different state. Stretching 113 miles off the coast of Florida it’s a long beautiful drive. Key West is a quirky little tourist town with rocky shores and delicious pie. But there is a lot more to the keys than Key West.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Kayak through mangroves looking for sea turtles and manatees, snorkel right off shore above nurse sharks, or join a boat trip to drop you directly on the reef. There is tons to do at this state park.
Hot Tip: Personally, I was underwhelmed by the rocky beach and the water clarity for snorkeling off-shore but it all depends on the time of year you go. I would highly recommend kayaking and taking a snorkel tour if that’s your cup of tea.
Conch Key
Super laid back and undeveloped. Worth a drive through at the very least.
Big Pine Key
Drive around this key to spot Key Deer. A teeny endangered species of deer that can only be found here.
Veterans Memorial Park
If you’re looking for an easily accessible soft sand beach…look no further. The keys aren’t actually renowed for their beaches but this one is quite nice.
Seven-mile Bridge
If you’re road-tripping down to the Florida Keys you’ll cross this bridge. It’s a 7-mile stretch of highway crossing wide-open ocean. It’s a little unsettling but very scenic.
13. Everglades
Did you come to Florida to see some gators?? This is the place to do it.
The wildlife here is incredible. You’ll have the opportunity to spot Crocodiles, Alligators, Roseate Spoonbills, and even Florida Panthers. The Everglades flood after hurricanes or storms throughout the year but if you time your visit right you can explore these trails & viewpoints.
- Anhinga Wildlife Loop.
- Coastal Prairie Trailhead.
- Flamingo Beach.
- Shark Valley Observation Center.
14. Chokoloskee
Drive out to this tiny little teardrop-shaped island and you won’t find much. But it’s the best place to hire a fan boat to take you out through the marshes. Known as the 10,000 islands region it’s also one of the best places to spot the massive White Pelican.
Hot Tip: No need to hire in advance. Just head to the docks and there will be flyers and boat owners milling about.
15. Bowman’s Beach & Captiva Island
We’ve finally made it to the gulf coast on our Florida road trip. This means warmer waveless water. Even though I preferred the East Coast, most travelers gravitate to the Gulf side. Bowman’s Beach is one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast.
& it’s famous for seashell collecting! Millions of seashells roll up onto the beach and have created a unique landscape perfect for a day in the sand.
Hot Tip: You’ll have to pay for parking and there is no food around so be sure to bring snacks.
16. Sanibel Island
If you’re doing this road trip in an RV or converted van this is the perfect place for some beach camping. You can pull your vehicle right onto the sand at Causeway Islands Park and eat lunch or set up camp just feet from the ocean water.
& if you’re not sick of swimming, snorkeling, and lounging yet…the beaches here are pretty wonderful. I recommend Bailey’s Beach Park.
Hot Tip: If you are stealth camping overnight by the water, be sure to park above the high tide line. Unless you want to wake up with your wheels underwater that is.
17. Stump Pass Beach State Park
Florida has some amazing state parks. In fact, I would say that’s one of the most underrated things to do in Florida.
This state park happens to be a beach. So, I hope you’re not sick of them quite yet. White sands covered in weird stumps, this secluded beach juts out into the warm gulf waters and is more than a mile-long.
18. Manasota Key
This is the island you’ll find Stump Pass Beach State Park, so you might as well explore it further. It’s got some killer beaches rimmed with tropical foliage and one of the can’t miss drives through Florida.
19. Myakka River State Park
There’s one big reason to visit here. Deep Hole. This huge wetland offers great opportunities to see loads of wildlife life like gators and birds, but this giant deep hole is the real attraction. Following a 2.2 mile hike, you’ll reach a 200 ft wide sinkhole absolutely brimming with alligators. If you’re looking for a good gator photo this is the place to be. The hike is mostly flat and if you’re lucky you might see a wild hog rooting around the prairie landscape
You can also check out the canopy walkway while you’re here.
Hot Tip: They only give out 30 passes to hike Deep Hole per day. It’s free but first come, first serve. So, get to the ranger station by 8 AM.
20. St. Andrews State Park
Frequently, hailed as one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast we couldn’t miss it. But unfortunately, thanks to the hurricane damage in the area, we had to. This state park boasts white shores, green water, and great kayaking.
21. Gulf Island National Seashore
For the final stop on your Florida road trip, I recommend the Gulf National Seashore. Definitely, at sunset. Overnight if you can. There are plenty of pull-outs great for stealth camping. This strip of soft white beach actually stretches all the way to Mississippi through Alabama if you want to keep chasing the sand.
Florida Road Trip Map
Here’s your Florida road trip map already labeled with all the destinations above.
Florida is hands down one of the best (& most overlooked) destinations for a road trip in the USA. If you’re a wildlife fanatic, a beach bum, hiking enthusiast, or looking for a faux tropical getaway, a Florida road trip is exactly what the doctor ordered.
5 Comments
Planning a Trip to Florida - Tripscholars
March 31, 2021 at 12:50 pm[…] of Florida is unmatched by any state in the continental United States In a single day, during a Florida road trip, you can drive from the rolling waves of the East Coast to the dense panther-filled jungles in […]
Go Wander Wild
May 13, 2021 at 5:20 amWow, your pictures of Florida are stunning! They really make us want to pack our bags and go!
Alexa Jordan
June 16, 2021 at 7:01 pmGreat suggestions. So much about Florida to love besides theme parks.
David Richardson
January 21, 2022 at 8:00 amThis was a great list! I agree with Alexa- there are a lot of theme parks that take all the attention. We are taking Red Coach buses around the state (at least these areas: https://www.redcoachusa.com/florida/) and have so much to see! I will definitely add your suggestions to our list.
Planning a Trip to Florida - Trip Scholars
May 11, 2024 at 6:58 am[…] Florida is unmatched by any state in the continental United States. In a single day during a Florida road trip, you can drive from the rolling waves of the East Coast to the dense panther-filled jungles in […]