If there’s one thing I’ve learned this summer, it’s that you don’t have to fly to the mountains to experience the kind of beauty that makes you stop and take it all in. I wrote about that recognition in July’s post (Trading Eyes with a Stranger), and this feels like the perfect follow-up.
When life gets loud - and let’s be honest, fall is a noisy season with holidays, football games every weekend, and work deadlines sneaking up - it helps to press pause and get outside. Nature reminds me how small I am… and how big creation is.
Cassie, Griffin, and I have loved taking advantage of the natural escapes nearby over the past couple months. North Florida is filled with incredible outdoor spaces you can reach in just a couple of hours, or less. These are all parks that can be visited as day trips, or even combined for a multi-stop trip.
10 Beautiful Nature Escapes in North Florida
- Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine): A beautiful blend of white-sand beaches, ancient dunes, and shady maritime hammocks. Whether you're birdwatching or taking a peaceful walk, it’s a favorite for a reason.
- Lake Santa Fe (Melrose): My hometown lake. Whether it’s paddling through cypress trees at sunset, fishing at dawn, or skiing on a weekend, this place never disappoints.
- Ravine Gardens State Park (Palatka): A hidden gem with peaceful winding trails and historic stone terraces. My parents actually got married here, which makes it even more special to me.
- Ichetucknee Springs (Fort White): Float down this crystal-clear, spring-fed river under a canopy of shade trees. It stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round—whihc is the perfect temperature on a 90-degree afternoon.
- Ocala National Forest (Ocala): Over 600 square miles of wild Florida pinewoods, springs, and hiking trails. It’s the perfect spot for a quick recharge or an all-day trail adventure.
- Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach: A picture-perfect coastal town with sandy beaches, a fun state park, and wide trails to explore. It’s ideal for a relaxing family outing or a date weekend with your spouse.
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (Micanopy): Just south of Gainesville, this unique savannah lets you spot wild bison, horses, and gators—all from the comfort of an elevated boardwalk or overlook.
- O’Leno State Park (High Springs): A peaceful park where the Santa Fe River disappears underground before emerging again downstream. Great for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying wildlife.
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (Jacksonville): A forested park by the beach with miles of bike trails, a freshwater lake, and access to some of North Florida’s best surf spots. Our family camps here every labor day to take advantage of the world-class mountain biking trails.
- Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring (Williston): This is an underground spring in a dry cave where you can snorkel or scuba dive through crystal-clear waters surrounded by ancient rock formations. If you’re a diver, there are other great dive spots nearby, too (Blue Grotto, Manatee Springs, etc.)
The stress of the work week doesn’t seem so heavy when you're hearing birdsong instead of inbox notifications. The phone stops buzzing. The to-do list fades.
We live in a beautiful part of the world. It’s easy to forget that when we’re racing from one thing to the next. But wonder is never far - it just takes a little intention to go find it.
So here’s my challenge: sometime this month, take a drive. Leave your phone on silent.
Pack a lunch. Bring the kids.
Or don’t.
Just go.
Soak up the kind of beauty you don’t have to pay for. Go breathe air that isn’t recycled by your AC unit. Go remind yourself of the blessings all around us.
Because sometimes, you don’t need a plane ticket to feel like you’ve gone somewhere special…you just need an afternoon.
Some of my favorite memories with my family have been made in these very places. Some of you have shared your trips with me, and I love that. Share your photos of these with me - or even your favorite spot? I can’t wait to see them.
Rusty is the founder of The Master’s Lawn & Pest and writes Rusty’s Corner as a space to reflect on the lessons he’s learning in life and business.