Central Florida: The southwestern deserts are not the only snowbird destination

By Bob Difley

Though we western snowbirds tend to migrate in the winter months to the southwestern deserts, we should not forget that the migratory route for easterners is often to the Sunshine State of Florida, an entirely different climatic environment from the dry deserts.

Western nature lovers will appreciate the great amount of biodiversity of plants found in Florida’s mix of subtropical and tropical climates, especially the subtropical climate around Orlando and central Florida.

Unlike the endless sunny skies and arid terrain of the desert regions, Central Florida has a hot, often stormy climate, and instead of earthquakes, experiences many thunderstorms and some hurricanes.

Central Florida’s low-lying area is littered with hundreds of lakes surrounded by marshland, which favors a wide variety of plant and animal species. Its abundant gardens, parks, and wildlife offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy nature up close, including these unique garden settings where camping is available:

At Highlands Hammock State Park (photos) in Sebring white-tailed deer munch their way through the campsites, enjoying the scattering of acorns around the base of many oaks. Bobcat tracks are found each morning in the damp sands along the roadways, barred owls call as soon as the sun goes down, and alligators soak up the warm sun that follows the cool nighttime temperatures.

Lake Kissimmee State Park in Lake Wales features living history demonstrations of the early Florida cowboy camps, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats have been seen in the park, and boating, canoeing, and fishing is popular on Lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. You can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life, and the park has full hookup campsites as well as primitive no hookup camping.

The 383,573 acres of Ocala National Forest in Silver Springs offers unique ecological sites, trails, natural springs, and hundreds of campsites throughout the forest offering everything from full hookup campgrounds to primitive sites. Hiking trails are located throughout the forest.

Though you may think of the Orlando area mostly for its big-thrill attractions and theme parks, nature lovers will find plenty of parks, gardens, wildernesses, and camping/boondocking opportunities as well.

Check out my website for more RVing tips and destinations and my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands, Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts, and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar.