Message from Our Director

The Cadence of Summer 

Florida State Parks provide excitement and relaxation. 

July is National Park and Recreation Month, and it seems to me like the best opportunity to enjoy the excitement and relaxation of ...the Real Florida. It’s not the warmth of the sun or the cool green shade of a forest path in the afternoon—it’s the possibility of experiencing both of these things together that make our parks so enjoyable.  

Take Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, for example. Walk along the boardwalk or the nature trails to find the white-topped pitcher plant, an endangered carnivorous plant unique to the Gulf Coast. After this mini adventure you might be feeling hungry yourself! Head back to a picnic shelter to cool down and have lunch before the drive home. I visited this park recently and learned that the name “Tarkiln” comes from the tar kilns that were used during the 1800s to process the tar removed from pine trees.  

Perhaps you’re looking for rest and relaxation this summer. Reserve a campsite at Little Manatee River State Park, home to a quaint amphitheater where park visitors can enjoy evening programs before drifting off to sleep under the stars. In the morning you can get views of the Little Manatee River, a designated Outstanding Florida Water. Relax and watch the amber water ripple over the sandy bottom or get out on the water yourself for a paddling adventure.  

Whatever you find yourself doing, we hope you get to experience both the excitement and relaxation that these dog days of summer (and Florida State Parks) have to offer.  

And if you’re on the fence about getting out there, remember that July is Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday which provides extra savings on season-related items and activities such as sporting events, outdoor equipment, entertainment and cultural events. This includes sales tax on admission to all of Florida’s 175 state parks!  

Summer is a time to be carefree, but it’s also hurricane season. It's important to make a plan today. For more resources on hurricane preparedness, visit FloridaDisaster.org.  

If dangerous weather conditions such as a hurricane are on the horizon, check for updates from the National Hurricane Center and the Florida State Parks website for information on any park or trail closures. 

See you in the parks, 

Chuck Hatcher, Director

Florida State Parks