Where to Enjoy Nature During the Holidays in Florida

If you’re in Florida for the holidays, you’re in for a treat. Especially if being outdoors in nature is your happy place. Florida’s mild winter weather makes it the perfect place to enjoy nature during the holidays. While cooking, cleaning, shopping, or after eating, take a nature break to unwind from holiday stress.

The following five places are great spots to get away from it all for a few hours and enjoy nature. Many of Florida’s smaller towns are surrounded by nature preserves and hiking trails so I’ve chosen some of my favorite places near large metro areas where nature isn’t as front and center. 

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Jacksonville

Believe it or not, Jacksonville is the largest city by total area in the lower 48 of the US, and #5 in all of the US, beaten only by four cities in Alaska. I mention this because it has a lot of area to explore and not all of it is developed.

Jacksonville also has the largest park system in the United States with more than 80,000 acres in parks, including two National Parks, seven State Parks, and more than 400 city parks. If you find yourself in The City of Parks for the holidays and need a nature escape, your spoilt for choice, but these are a few of my favorites:

• Talbot Islands State Parks – Big Talbot and Little Talbot Islands offer a great mix of beach and woodland settings. We always stop at Boneyard Beach in Big Talbot when we visit Amelia Island.
• Tillie Fowler Regional Park – All the activities you’d expect to find in a great park – hiking and biking trails, picnic facilities, a playground, an observation tower, a nature center, a butterfly garden, and so much more.
• Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park – This Northside park offers stunning views of creeks and salt marshes. Go hiking or bird watching along 15 miles of trails, or paddle the many creeks and waterways for a unique perspective.

Orlando

We all know Orlando for being the Theme Park Capital of the World. No matter what you love, there’s probably a theme park for that (and it’s probably a Disney park, tbh). But did you know that Orlando is one of the oldest towns in Florida AND has a ton of great nature spots? 

When you’re in town for the amusement parks, it’s easy to bypass the nature parks, but if you find yourself in Orlando during the holidays and need a break from the family or a bit of nature to liven your day, there’s plenty to choose from. These are some of my favorites:

• Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve – This county park west of Orlando features trails and boardwalks for hiking, a butterfly garden, and a nature center. 
• Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – Northwest of Orlando sits Lake Apopka, one of the largest lakes in central Florida, and this is where you’ll find a really interesting nature experience. Stay in your car, listen to the audio tour, and watch wildlife and nature on a leisurely drive.
• Orlando Wetlands – Head east to Christmas, Florida for a bird watching and wildlife viewing experience along hiking trails that wind through marshes and beside lakes.

Tampa

When you find yourself in Tampa, you’re probably there for a cruise, Busch Gardens, or to go to nearby beaches like Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. If you find yourself looking for an escape in a park or on a hiking trail, there’s plenty in the area to quench your cravings.

Tampa proper has several great little parks, but it’s the surrounding greater Tampa Bay area where you’ll really find the nature gems. Though the area boasts several state parks, there are also several county parks and preserves with hiking trails near Tampa. If you’re in the area and looking to enjoy nature during the holidays, start with these spots:

• Hillsborough River State Park – This state park features Class II rapids, one of the main attractions at the park. Though the Rapids Trail gets busy, there are more than 10 miles of other hiking trails to enjoy.
• Brooker Creek Nature Preserve – This county park is the largest preserve in Pinellas County and features an education center and more than 20 miles of trails. For a more secluded hike, try nearby Lake Dan Nature Preserve.
• Triple Creek Nature Preserve – This county park protects a creek system and nearly 1,000 acres in one of the most quickly developing areas in Tampa. There are about 5 miles of trails, but head to nearby Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve of Alafia River State Park for more outdoor activities.

Southwest Florida

Naples and Fort Myers are popular places to head for the holidays. Whether you’re visiting family or just getting away from the cold up north, the beaches and history of the area sparkle with lighted buildings and palm trees, offering a uniquely Florida holiday experience. Places like the Naples Botanical Gardens come alive with some of the most beautiful light shows in all of Florida and the waterfront communities host holiday boat parades.

Though largely developed, Southwest Florida offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the western Everglades. Here, you’ll find some of the most remote wilderness areas in Florida just a short drive from some of the most populated cities. While in the area, get your nature break at these great parks:

• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary – This Audubon property was established to protect one of the oldest cypress stands in the world. Corkscrew Swamp is also home to the elusive ghost orchid and Florida panther.
• Babcock Ranch Preserve – This FWC property offers a ton of outdoor activities, from hiking to fishing, hunting to bird watching. When purchased in 2006, it was one of the largest land purchases in the state’s history, over 60,000 acres.
• Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve – Though a designated preserve, surrounding state parks offer access to much of the hiking and wildlife viewing. Try Koreshan State Park or Estero Bay Preserve State Park

Miami

The Magic City draws people from all over the world for the beaches, fishing, museums, and nightlife. With a stunning oceanfront location and one of the few tropical places in the United States, visitors to Miami’s natural places find a unique mixture of native tropical plants and exotics. 

Miami is the only city in the US which is bordered by two national parks – Biscayne National Park to the south-southeast and Everglades National Park to the west-southwest. Besides these national parks, there are dozens of other parks in Miami-Dade County where you might find a bit of nature during the holidays. Here are three you should check out next time you’re in in Miami:

• Everglades National Park – This one goes without saying. The Everglades features dozens of miles of hiking trails, several roadside parks, the Visitor Center, and dozens of miles of kayaking trails.
• Oleta River State Park – This state park frequently reaches capacity so might not be the best choice if you’re looking for solitude. If you plan to go enjoy the hiking or mountain bike trails, get there early so you aren’t turned away if it’s busy.
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – Though not a public park, Fairchild is one of the best botanical gardens in Florida and offers several stunning trails to enjoy the gardens’ beauty. It’s also a short 1-mile walk or bike ride to R. Hardy Matheson County Preserve where you’ll find a secluded 2-mile round-trip hike to Biscayne Bay.

Wrapping It Up: Where to Enjoy Nature During the Holidays

Though the holidays are time to enjoy friends and family, parties and huge meals, sometimes we need a little time in nature to recenter or just walk off all the great food. While more rural areas in Florida offer many natural places to explore, in the more populated regions it can be difficult to find somewhere to enjoy nature during the holidays.

Keep this guide handy when you’re visiting friends and family or share it with someone who will find it useful. If you’re a Floridian and have a favorite place to get away from it all, please feel free to let our readers know in the comments.

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