• Hontoon Island State Park

Florida is home to thousands of miles of greenways and trails. With the weather cooling off in October, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, canoeing and horseback riding are popular. These activities are fun in a variety of locations and with a variety of friends. Exercise and fresh air are good for your health. Join us for one of the special events being held at a Florida state park.

• A Medicinal Plant Walk to be held at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park south of Tallahassee on Saturday, October 4, at 9 a.m. Join a ranger for a stroll in the footsteps of indigenous people and pioneers as they sought plants with healing properties. $4 per car, up to 8 passengers.
• If paddling is more your forte, then join the Washington Oaks Kayak Tour on Saturday, October 4, at 10:30 a.m. Explore Longs Creek and the Matanzas Estuary. $45 per person, register at www.RippleEffectEcotours.com.
• On October 11, ride a bike on the 12-mile tour along the Gainesville to Hawthorne Trail. The tour will start at Boulware Springs Park at 9 a.m. and end at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Bring your own bike. Helmets and reservations required.
  (352) 466-4100. $5 donation suggested.
• Are you up for a full moon hike? The group will leave Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, October 11, for a 3-mile hike on the Ravine Trail and a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Bring water, snacks and a bug repellant. $4 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers. The park is located between Gainesville and Jacksonville.
• Are you a competitive horseback rider or hiker? Then the Mystery Map Event at Little Manatee River State Park is just the place for you. On Saturday, October 18, registration will begin at 8 a.m. for a timed obstacle event. $20 donation per person, includes BBQ dinner, small midway with games and other food.
• Are you ready for a Guided Overnight Backpacking Trip at Lake Kissimmee State Park? The 7-mile hike will take place Saturday, October 18 and will depart at 1 p.m. The group will hike 3.5 miles to a primitive campsite and will hike back the next morning. Reservations required.
  (863) 696-1112. $10 plus tax, per person.

See a complete list of Special Events in Florida's state parks. Visit Greenways and Trails for a complete list of events statewide.

Take advantage of the October chill in the air and go outside while the weather is pleasant. Florida’s state parks host several fall festivals.

• Throughout October and November, Dudley Farm Historic State Park Near Gainesville will feature Fall Harvest Days. Visitors can help harvest crops of field corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and sugar cane. Watch corn shucking, shelling and grinding. $4 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers.
• For a trip back in history, visit the Forest Capital Museum State Park in Perry for Heritage Day on Friday, October 24. The day will be filled with living history demonstrations at the 1863 Cracker homestead. $1 per person. The festivities continue on Saturday, October 25 with the 53rd Annual Forest Festival, which celebrates Florida’s forests and forest industries. Look for live music and entertainment, arts and crafts and demonstrations. No cost.
• Join us Saturday, October 25, for the 2nd Annual Fall Fest at Wekiwa Springs State Park, northeast of Orlando. This fun family event will feature wildlife and conservation exhibits and an arts and crafts show. Potato sack races and pumpkin painting will entertain the whole family. Live music begins at 4 p.m. $4 per car, up to 8 passengers.
• Enjoy a fall festival on Saturday, October 25, at Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka. Walk through the Enchanted Forest and Candy Land. Take a wagon tour on a trip through the ravines of fairytale scenes. Refreshments will be available. $5 per person.

See a complete list of Special Events in Florida's state parks.

Everyone is invited to enjoy Florida’s state parks. Staff strives to provide recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities. In October, we join the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy as they celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Wednesday, October 15 is National Disability Mentoring Day. This is a one day “job shadowing” event where an individual with a disability has an opportunity to shadow someone during a portion of the work day. Sign up by contacting the Able Trust.

For more information, contact Terri Messler, Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator at (850) 245-2139 or Terri.Messler@dep.state.fl.us