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Florida State Parks Road Trip
Highlands Hammock State ParkMyakka River State ParkEverglades National Park
7 daysCouple2,891 views64 copiesby 🌴 SunshineTrails
A week-long road trip through Florida's best parks. Ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, alligator encounters, and the most incredible sunsets over the Everglades. We brought our own bikes and rented kayaks at each stop. The October timing was perfect — fewer mosquitoes, lower humidity, and affordable campsite rates.
#road-trip#wildlife#kayaking#beginner#florida
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Highlands Hammock
- •Ancient Hammock Trail (boardwalk)
- •Bike the 3-mile loop road
- •Catfish Creek Preserve hike
🍽️ Camp dinner
2
Day 2 — Highlands Hammock
- •Cypress Swamp Trail
- •Fern Garden boardwalk
- •Wildlife observation tower
🍽️ Lunch at Sebring restaurant
3
Day 3 — Drive to Myakka River
- •2-hour drive south
- •Canopy Walkway (74 ft up!)
- •Myakka River kayaking
🍽️ Packed lunch, camp dinner
4
Day 4 — Myakka River
- •Airboat tour on Upper Myakka Lake
- •Bird watching (roseate spoonbills!)
- •Deep Hole swimming
🍽️ Camp breakfast and dinner
5
Day 5 — Drive to Everglades
- •3-hour drive south
- •Shark Valley Visitor Center
- •15-mile Shark Valley bike loop
🍽️ Dinner in Homestead
6
Day 6 — Everglades
- •Anhinga Trail (gators everywhere)
- •Kayak Nine Mile Pond
- •Sunset at Flamingo
🍽️ Packed lunch
7
Day 7 — Everglades & Departure
- •Pa-hay-okee Overlook
- •Mahogany Hammock Trail
- •Drive home
🍽️ Breakfast at camp
Pro Tips from SunshineTrails
- 💡October-April is best — summer is brutal with heat and mosquitoes
- 💡Highlands Hammock has full-hookup RV sites if you need them
- 💡Rent kayaks at Myakka River outpost — $40/half-day for a tandem
- 💡Bring binoculars — the birdlife in Myakka is incredible
- 💡Shark Valley bike loop is flat but 15 miles — bring water!
- 💡Book Everglades campsites at recreation.gov early
🎒 Recommended Gear
Bikes (or rent at the park)Kayak gear (or rent)Bug spray (serious amount)BinocularsSun hat and sunscreenWaterproof phone case
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