Although I still think the gulf coast beaches are amongst the most beautiful in the world, I find myself reminiscing back to a time when crowds were small and the quaint mom and pop hotels and restaurants that lined the beaches emanated a truly local flair and style that was undeniably old Florida.  The gulf coast beaches are one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists visiting the area, but if you are seeking something that is more like the Florida of old, consider a camping trip or one day outing to one of the state parks located throughout the gulf-coast.

Myakka River State Park is amongst the oldest and largest state parks in Florida and protects one of the state’s most diverse and natural areas.  The Myakka River flows through fifty-eight square miles of natural wetlands, prairies, and pinelands and provides visitors with opportunities to experience the great old Florida outdoors with ample boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking experiences. There are also two lakes in the park and scenic lake tours are offered everyday where you can experience the beauty of the park on two of the world’s largest airboats.

There are full-facility campgrounds and primitive campsites available throughout the park as well as several log cabins built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The cabins have been modernized to provide occupants comfortable lodging even during the summer.  The Myakka River State Park is located just nine miles east from Sarasota making it one of the best opportunities to experience new and old Florida.

Cayo Costa State Park, one of the jewels of the Gulf Coast, and is accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry making it one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas to visit in Florida.  Here you will find something for everyone from fishing, to shelling, to hiking, to biking; Cayo Costa State Park has it all.

Anglers, from the novice to experienced, can try their luck fishing from the beautiful sandy shores of the islands remote and quaint beaches (fishing license required, ages 16 and above).   Shell-seekers will want to visit the south end of the island, where the beautiful Gulf of Mexico leaves some of her most sought after treasures for you to collect.   For those seeking to explore the island atop a bicycle or on a hike, consider the more than 5 ½ miles of biking and hiking trails available to explore.  Cayo Costa State Park is located directly south of Boca Grande and West of Pine Island and N. Ft. Meyers

What a great way to enjoy The Real Florida, at one of these great Florida State Parks!

Unlike the more commercial beaches you find throughout Florida for De Soto is very peaceful. Traffic noise is far removed from this paradise location. Any visitors choose for De Soto Park for parties and cookouts. There are numerous places for fishermen to enjoy, including Two fishing piers–one on Tampa Bay (500 feet long) and the other on the Gulf (1,000 feet long). Each pier has a food and bait concession. There’s even a dog park for your four-legged friends. We have been traveling to Fort De Soto Park for over 40 years and in that time we never had a visit that we did not thoroughly enjoy.