Five top state parks to escape the summer heat

ST. GEORGE ISLAND, FL – In celebration of Parks and Recreation Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is highlighting five state parks for aquatic recreation. From springs and lakes, to rivers and oceans, Florida’s state parks are home to many waterbodies and offer activities that foster an appreciation of Florida’s water resources while providing a break from the summer heat.

The top five state parks to get wet and not sweat this summer include —

• St. George Island State Park — Miles of undeveloped beach, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Apalachicola Bay on the other, provide many opportunities for cooling off on St. George Island, located just 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee. Swimming, canoeing, shelling, boating and fishing are some of the activities that make this park a North Florida summer favorite.
• Suwannee River Wilderness Trail — Stretching from White Springs in North Florida, to the town of Suwannee on the Gulf Coast, the Suwannee River offers 170 miles of adventure perfect for canoeing, kayaking and camping along the way. The Suwannee River State Park in Live Oak offers a boat ramp for visitors to launch their journey along the river. The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a partnership program between DEP, the Suwannee River Water Management District and communities and local businesses along the river.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — America's first underwater park, located off Key Largo, boasts  70 nautical square miles of beautiful coral reefs. During the summer, the water is calm and cool, and guests can take a boat trip to scuba dive or snorkel near the reefs. Nearby, guests can also dive down to see Christ of the Abyss, an 8.5 foot, 4,000 pound bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ that stands in 25 feet of water.
• Sebastian Inlet State Park — Located in Melbourne Beach, Sebastian Inlet’s three miles of beaches provide opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, shelling, sunbathing and surfing. The park is a popular destination for saltwater fishing on Florida’s east coast and hosts several major surfing competitions throughout the year.
• Oscar Scherer State Park — Lake Osprey is a perfect place to cool off during the hot summer days in Osprey. This three-acre freshwater lake has a sandy beach front and is located at the Lake Osprey Picnic Area. The park also offers saltwater and freshwater fishing, and canoeing and kayaking are available in South Creek.

Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages.

For more information about Florida’s state parks, or to locate a summer swim destination, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.