To reserve campsites at state parks, see www.reserveamerica.com.

• Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County:

County park with 238-site, full-service campground that seems to have been created with families in mind. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, fresh water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a camp store. The park has more than 7 miles of waterfront recreation, including two fishing piers, nature trails, paved bike trail and a canoe trail. Campsites, $30 to $35. 727-582-2267; www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm.

• Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys:

In the shadow of an iconic Flagler railroad bridge, Bahia Honda's sandy beaches, shallow-water snorkeling and abundance of shore birds have earned it a spot among America's best beaches. The Sand and Sea Nature Center boasts a small marine aquarium, nature video and environmental activities. Campsites, $31.50. 305-872-2353; www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/.

• Myakka River State Park, Sarasota:

One of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The Myakka River, designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, flows through the heart of the 58-square-mile wilderness playground. Tour the lake on one of the world's largest airboats or take to the treetops on the canopy walkway. There's also excellent fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bike riding and bird-watching. The park has cabins and backcountry sites as well as a full-service family campground. Campsites, $22. 941-361-6511; www.floridastateparks.org/MyakkaRiver.

• Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales:

Return to the time when ''cracker'' cowboys ruled the Florida scrub land. No trip is complete without a visit to the park's 1876-era cow camp. Not much has changed since then; you'll see white-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and wild turkeys. Anglers can catch bass on lakes Kissimmee, Tiger and Rosalie. There are also 13 miles of hiking trails, six of which are open to equestrians. The full-service campground is one of the best places in Florida for stargazing. Campsites, $17. 863- 696-1112; www.floridastateparks.org/lakekissimmee.

• Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine:

A rare gem, whose preserved beach and surrounding wetlands look much as they must have 500 years ago when the Spanish explorers first made landfall. Besides great surfing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, the park has an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to create the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest Spanish fortress in America. Explore the dunes and stunted oak hammocks via the nature trail or paddle Salt Run, a tidal salt marsh, in a canoe or kayak. Campsites, $23. 904-461- 2033; www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

• Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach:

Once home to a thriving American Indian community, this is a water lover's paradise -- think fish-filled lagoons -- and a great place to watch birds, with more than 160 species. In the river, you can catch red drum, sheepshead, spotted sea trout, snook and tarpon. Visitors can also take a hike on the half-mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th century British landowner. Campsites, $20. 386-676-4050; www.floridastateparks.org/tomoka.

• Blue Spring State Park, Orange City:

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