Florida State Parks:

Lake Louisa Summer Cycling Series
Lake Louisa State Park
Clermont, Florida 34714
Phone: 352-394-3969
Date: Early September

Description: This is a cycling competition series with athletes from all over. The competition starts at the Lake Louisa Parking lot and athletes must bike a course set throughout the park. Event starts at 7:00 p.m. and ends at around 8:00 p.m.
Fees: Yes
Contact: 352-394-3969

 Birds of the Salt Marsh Kayak Tour
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
6400 North Oceanshore Blvd.
Palm Coast, Florida 32173
Phone: 386-446-6780
Date: Early September

Description: Want to learn more about birds of coastal north Florida? Come along on a two-hour kayak tour with a professional guide from Coastal Outdoor Center of St. Augustine and explore along tidal creeks, marsh grasses and black mangroves on the surrounding waterways of Washington Oaks Gardens State park. Along this journey we will explore the waters in search of the many species of plovers, sandpipers and wading birds, terns and brown pelicans. During this trip through the salt marsh, we will paddle stable double kayaks that allow us to be less intrusive to the environment by maintaining a smaller group size. No kayaking experience is necessary.

The tour will launch from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and will last two hours. The tour fee is $40 per person, which includes all needed kayaking equipment, kayaking instruction, park entrance fees and bottled water. Some suggested items to bring are a spare change of clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, camera and binoculars. After the kayak tour, feel free to explore the park which includes an ornamental gardens, nature trails, picnic area, coquina rock beach and newly renovated Visitor Center. Spaces are limited and deadline for registration is 24 hours prior to date. Payment is due upon registration by contacting Coastal Outdoor Center at (904) 471-4144. For tour departure times or more information visit the outfitters website at www.coastaloutdoorcenter.com.
Fees: Yes
Contact: Coastal Outdoor Center at (904) 471-4144

 Crazy World of Cypress Hayride
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
1000 Buffer Preserve Drive
Fellsmere, Florida 32948
Phone: 321-953-5005
Date: Early September

Description: Ride on a tractor-pulled hay ride to discover the unique world of cypress trees as they struggle to survfxive in swamps and harsh conditions. No pets, please.
Fees: Free park admission, but there will be a fee for tour.
Contact: 321-953-5005

 Let's Go Birding! 
Sebastian Inlet State Park
 9700 South A1A
Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951
Phone: 321-984-4852
Date: Mid September

Description: Sebastian Inlet, the best birding location on Brevard’s south beaches (over 190 species) is located 17.5 miles south of SR-192 on AlA. The tidal pool to the north is feeding ground for many shorebirds, wading birds, gulls and terns. Some unusual species have been observed here. Sandwich Terns frequent the area in the winter. Check the rocky area leading from the tidal pool to the inlet for Purple Sandpipers. American Oystercatchers and Reddish Egrets may be seen. Birding here is best in early morning before the area becomes crowded.
Fees: Yes
Contact: 321-984-4852 

 Coastal Estuaries Kayak & Walking Tour
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
6400 North Oceanshore Blvd.
Palm Coast, Florida 32173
Phone: 386-446-6780
Fax: 386-446-6781
Date: Mid September

Description: Jump into nature and book your reservation today for a kayaking eco-tour that is going to enlighten you. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park consists of one of northeast Florida's most precious jewels, the coastal estuary. Explore with a professional naturalist and enjoy stories about the plant and animal life that inhabit the area, as well as participate in hands-on discoveries of your own. Most importantly, you will learn more about what makes this coastal system so valuable to our environment and the importance of protecting it.

During this trip we will paddle stable double kayaks that allow us to be less intrusive to the environment by maintaining a smaller group size. No kayaking experience is necessary.

The tour will launch from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and will last three hours. Tour fee includes all needed kayaking equipment, kayaking instruction, park entrance fees, catered lunch and bottled water. Some suggested items to bring are a spare change of clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, camera and binoculars. For tour departure times or more information visit the outfitter's website. 
Fees: Yes
Contact: Coastal Outdoor Center at (904) 471-4144

 Triathlon Sprint Series
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 U.S. Highway 27
Clermont, Florida
Date: Late September

Description: This is a triathlon sprint series with athletes from all over. Competition includes swimming, biking, and running. 1/4 mile swim, 7 mile bike, 1.5 mile run. The entire race takes place within Lake Louisa State Park. The entry fees from the elite division will be placed into a prize money purse and will be divided by the winners. All elite athletes must bring $25.00 cash on race day. Event starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends at around 7:30 p.m.
Fees: Yes
Contact: tom.ziebart@orhs.org or call: 352-241-7144 Ext.4209

 Experience Old Florida Hike 
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
1000 Buffer Preserve Drive
Fellsmere, Florida 32948
Phone: 321-953-5005
Date: Early October

Description: Join a Florida Master Naturalist on a 2-mile hike through vanishing Florida ecosystems. This site preserves open grassy forests of longleaf pine that were once commonplace throughout Florida. The pine flatwoods form a backdrop for other biological communities, including cypress domes, scrubby flatwoods, sandhills, and a beautiful strand swamp. These habitats are home to many native plants and animals, including over 50 protected species. Photographers, bird-watchers, and nature enthusiasts can explore miles of trails on foot, bicycle, or horseback.
Fees: Yes
Contact: 321-953-5005 .

 Swamp Tromp: "Get Wet & Wild"
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
1000 Buffer Preserve Drive
Fellsmere, Florida 32948
Phone: 321-953-5005
Date: Early October

Description: Hike through a cypress strand swamp and into the center of a cypress dome. Expect water to be from 1 to 2 feet deep. Bring a dry change of clothes, shoes and socks, including underwear. Discover the way old Florida used to be and learn how vanishing wetlands impact your life.
No pets, please.
Fees: Yes
Contact: For reservations please call 321.953.5004.

 Canoe & Kayak Nature Tour
TRIP Sebastian Inlet State Park
 4810 S.E. Cove Road
Stuart, Florida 34997
Phone: 772-219-1880
Date: Mid October

Description: Enjoy a two-hour paddle along the shores of the Indian River Lagoon. Kayak the most diverse estuary in North America. The Lagoon is home to over 4000 species of animals and plants, including Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, West Indian Manatees, 700 varieties of fish, 300 species of birds, Loggerhead Turtles and Green Turtles. We can cover a variety of habitats by kayak including the grassflats, mangrove islands and spoil islands. Several locations along the lagoon are explored, including MacWilliams Park in Vero Beach, Round Island Park in south Vero Beach, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Sebastian, and Riverview Park in Sebastian.
Fees: Yes
Contact: (Reservations required), 1.800.952.1126

 National Harvest Pow-Wow festival
Silver River State Park
1425 NE 58th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
Phone: 352-236-7148
Fax: 352-236-7150
Date: Late October

Description: The White Buffalo Society presents a Harvest Pow-Wow and festival. Tribal dancing, arts & crafts, educational exhibits, Native American foods, flute music and presentations. Three full days of fall celebration. Bring a chair or blanket. Silver River- Silver Springs, with a magnitude of 750 million gallons of water per day, feeds this crystal clear river. Visibility to the 30 foot depths reveal flowing grasses and preserved fallen trees. Wildlife abounds, including wild monkeys, alligators, turtles, garr, turkeys, herons, cormorants, and otter. Done as a weekend of kayaking in the Ocala National Forest, we lodge in luxurious cabins located in Silver River State Park. Located 10 miles east of the city of Ocala.
Fees: Yes
Contact: White Buffalo Society: 352-625-2279

 Ocala Country Days
Silver River State Park
1425 NE 58th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
Phone: 352-236-7148
Fax: 352-236-7150
Date: Mid November

Description: Silver River State Park, Silver River Museum. In the cracker village, hayrides, cow camp, re-enactors, Enjoy life from days past at Ocala Cracker Country Days. Entertainment by Back In Tyme Old Time Music, Ed & Geraldine Old Time Music, Bill Schustik, Hank Mattson, cowboy poet and a cowboy whip and rope show. Artisans and tradesmen will share skills from the 1800's and 1900's.

Big Scrub Pioneer Cooking Festival with such favorites as blackeyed peas & cornbread, fried catfish & hushpuppies & fried chicken. The turn of the century homestead is the perfect setting for old time demonstrators like blacksmiths, quitters, and coopers. A new addition to the Ocala Cracker village, an authentic 1800's Cracker home, will be open for public tours. Cracker Cowboys will also be on hand to chat about life in the Florida scrub.

Live music and storytelling will entertain visitors throughout the weekend. A pre-historic crocodile skull, seen nowhere else, can be viewed on a museum tour included in the admission price of $4. 9 am-4 pm.
Fees: Yes
Contact: 352-236-7148 

 Holiday in the Gardens at Washington Oaks 
Ravine Gardens State Park
1600 Twigg Street
Palatka, Florida 32177
Phone: 386-329-3721
Date: Early December

Description: Come experience Holiday in the Gardens at Washington Oaks. Over 2000 luminaries will line the garden pathways and the gardens will come to life with lights and holiday decorations
Fees: Yes
Contact: 386-329-3721  

 Manatee Festival at Valentine Park
Blue Spring State Park
2100 West French Avenue
Orange City, Florida 32763
Phone: 386-775-3663
Date: Late January

Description: The Festival is held at Valentine Park about one mile before you reach the Blue Spring State Park gate. Parking is abundant and the entry fee covers a ride to Blue Spring State Park. The Festival grounds provide many refreshment stands, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment and humanitarian\environmental presentations. Blue Spring State Park, in addition to the largest first magnitude single spring in the St. Johns River basin will, hopefully, be jammed with wild manatees in their natural environment. Manatee Programs will run continuously from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Park Programs Room. The Thursby House will be open and spread across the lawn around it will be many old time crafts and history presentations. Blue Spring State Park will open at 8:00 a.m. Buses will stop running from the Park to the Festival grounds at 4:00 p.m. The Festival ground hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Blue Spring State Park closes at sundown.
Fees: Yes
Contact: info@themanateefestival.com