What do you do on a vacation in Florida? For most visitors the answer is simple: Grab a cold beverage and head directly to the nearest beach. Considering the state is surrounded on three sides by the ocean—and ringed with gorgeous beaches—it’s no surprise many vacationers don’t stray far from the sand. While beach days are great, if you’re looking for something else to do besides tan and play Spikeball, you’re in luck. When it comes to nature and outdoor recreation, the Sunshine State has much more to offer than just sandy beaches and there are plenty of excellent cabin rentalsin Florida to serve as a base to do it all.
To really get a taste for Florida’s unique landscapes, you have to venture inland. Its subtropical climate provides a home for a wide range of plants and animals not found in other states. In the south, Everglades National Parksprawls across 1.5 million acres of freshwater sloughs, tropical hammocks, pinelands, stands of cypress, mangroves, and more. Big Cypress National Preserve, located just to the north, encompasses another 729,000 acres of Big Cypress Swamp. Both places offer plentiful hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and various ranger-led tours and activities, and you’ll have the chance to spot rare wildlife, like manatees and roseate spoonbills.
There are three national forests spread across the northern part of the state, including Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, which offers trails for biking and hiking as well as great spots for fishing. The 1,500-mile-long Florida Trail is the state’s answer to the Appalachian Trail—it runs from the Florida Panhandle all the way down through Big Cypress National Preserve, passing through a variety of subtropical landscapes along the way. The state is also dotted with 700 natural springs, some of which you can snorkel in (keep an eye out for visiting manatees), and 175 state parks.
Of course, there’s lots to do on the ocean as well and you don't have to be in Miami or Tampa to do it. You can rent a boat, book a fishing charter, or snorkel and dive along the massive Florida Reef, which stretches 350 miles along the state’s southeastern coast and through the Florida Keys.
Late fall through early spring is generally the best time to visit; summers in Florida can be oppressively hot and humid. (Though keep in mind that northern Florida can get chilly in the winter.) Also beware of hurricane season, which stretches from June to the end of November. Expect an afternoon rain shower, but trust that it'll pass.
The cabins below will help you get a taste of everything Florida has to offer. For those used to dusty log cabins in the woods, you’ll notice that the picks below are decidedly beachy (think tile floors, airy spaces, lots of bright decor). Take a break from the knotty pine—this is Florida, after all.
