Sparsely populated compared with the central and southern part of the state, North Florida contains some unexpected gems for the ecotraveller. The average tourist rarely visits north Florida’s national Wildlife Refuges and State Parks.
Timber companies own much of the land along the Gulf coast and the area has few roads and towns. The Gulf coast is a vast region of salt marshes and tidal flats that are difficult to explore and easy to get lost in.
North-central Florida is home to the majority of the State’s extraordinarily beautiful natural springs, and there are several fairly easy canoe trips down spring runs and rivers that leave you with a real feel for what Florida must have been like 200 years ago.
The Atlantic coast is heavily developed, but you can find quiet places in the middle of the beach frenzy. The beach at Washington Oaks State Gardens is almost within shouting distance of the huge crowds of college kids that spend Easter break at Crescent beach, yet it is almost always deserted. Other Atlantic barrier islands like Little Talbot Island State Park are equally secluded.
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