Connecticut:
Florida:
Did You Know?
Canaveral National Seashore has 13 federally-listed threatened and endangered animal species. This places it second among the approximately 380 National Park Service units.
Permits to visit the backcountry areas are limited to same day use, 25 persons in the north area and 25 persons in the south. Please call before going as they have closures during maintenance and shuttle launches. Leashed pets are allowed on the lagoon side. Handicap facilities and beach wheelchair available.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Located 70 miles west of Key West, accessible only by boat or seaplane, one of my favorite all time trips. Scuba dive the coral reefs or dive the 200 plus shipwrecks. Campsites are on a first come first served basis. Everything you need, including water must be packed in. Great snorkeling. Good for birders too.
Everglades National Park
At a million and a half acres, there is truly something for everyone. Canoeing and kayaking are the way to travel the 99 mile Wilderness Waterway, however backpacking and hiking also have a presence here. Recommended times for going are during the winter months when the mosquito population settles down a little. I, who am not into fishing, caught a snook here.
Photos: Courtesy of National Park Service
Georgia:
Maryland
Assateague Island National Seashore
Two oceanside and four bayside camping areas in the Maryland area of the island. Nothing in the Virginia portion. No freshwater available, that should help keep the numbers down for those of us who are looking for solitude, or a reasonable facsimile.
Massachusettes
Located in Lee, MA, 10 minutes away from Tanglewood and access to the Appalachian Trail. Something a little off the beaten path. Not there or I did not know about it last time I was in the area. I lived four years in Washington, MA, a town on the Appalachian. Nothing beats the Berkshires, in my opinion.
New Hampshire:
White Mountain National Forest
This page has a guide for a dozen or so short hikes.
Cohos Trail
Remote, great for the experienced backpacker,162 miles in Northern New Hampshire to the Canadian Border. Please check link for updates as permissions become available from private landowners the course of the trail changes. You’ll meet more moose than people and for a 90 mile stretch there are no towns. Towns, by the way have a population of 900 or less. Also shorter day hikes are available along the Trail. Bear country, also moose.
Pemigewasset Wilderness
New Jersey:
New Jersey has a new pet policy for three of its state parks. You can be upfront and legal at these parks.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
One of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands on the east coast. Swimming with lifeguard supervision available along a mile stretch. Sunbathing, exploring, surf fishing and scuba diving available. The bicycle path follows the road for eight mile, this being the only downside found at this park. A favorite of this editor, with special accommodations for wheelchair limited persons and others with physical inabilities available at area 7. I love this feature, as many of the years of my nursing career were with this population. Bird watching opportunities abound, with migrating populations stopping by in May and October.
Located in Burlington, Camden and Atlantic Counties, Wharton State Forest is personally, intimately known by this editor. A great place for children and adults who do not want strenuous in their trip. Boating on the Mullica River for electric motors, trailer or car top launch. Fees apply only Memorial Day to Labor Day. Canoeing on the Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego Rivers. Swimming with lifeguards at Atsion Recreation Area. Backpacking on the Batona ( BAck TO NAture) Trail, which includes a primitive campsite or continues through the Brendan Byrne and Bass River State Forest for a combines distance of fifty (50) miles. Mountain biking or horseback riding on hundreds of miles of unpaved roads. Campsites, with and without amenities available. Cabins are available but should be booked early.
Pennsylvania
Blue Rocks
Rhode Island
Over 14,000 acres that offer horseback riding, overnight camping, fishing (even with a handicap fishing platform), canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking.
A major site for scuba diving it also offers boating, fishing, hiking. Located on 100 foot granite cliffs it is sure to offer vistas that will inspire. In Newport County, Rhode Island, it includes a two century old abandoned military fort.
Vermont
Green Mountain National Forest
For backpackers general forest camping rules apply. No fee. Limited to 14 out of 30 days, find another spot and you can camp out all summer with no rental fees.
Long Trail
Older than the Appalachian Trail, it generously shares about 100 miles. 270 miles long, with 175 miles of side trails.
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