For those who love the outdoors, there might be no better place to be than the Sunshine State. Florida is home to some incredible state parks, preserves, and recreation areas. It's not every day that you can go from wetlands to scrub pines to a first-magnitude spring in one state. While there are plenty of options, among the state parks in Florida, there's one that stands out as one of the most special. Clocking in at 85,000 acres, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is the largest state park in Florida. It's hard to choose one place as a favorite for an adventure, but if I had to it might just be this one. It's certainly worth checking out, but be advised - you might just need a few days to explore it all!

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is just west of Copeland, Florida, and north of Everglades City.

This gargantuan park is located in the Fakahatchee Strand, a section of the Everglades, as well as a thread of forest strand in Big Cypress.

You may be familiar with the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk trail, which offers a trek to Goethe Giant, one of the largest cypress trees in the state! This trail is part of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.

At 85,000 acres, there is so much to see and do here that you’ll likely need more than a day to explore. It also offers some of the widest variety of plants and wildlife that you’ll find anywhere within the continental United States.

There are various trails within the park that offer different experiences. The West Main Tram trail is just a few miles from the visitors center and passes through the swamp until the marl prairie.

You never know what type of wildlife you’ll come across during your visit, so always be prepared. Alligators frequent the shorelines and waterways throughout this park.

There are also white-tailed deer, bobcats, barred owls, raccoons, opossums, and black bears, too!

If you're lucky, you may even spot an elusive - and critically endangered - Florida panther.

Spend a few days exploring through the vast wilderness of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and see a side of Florida that most do not get to see.

Use this interactive map to get directions to Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, which one of our favorites among the Florida state parks.

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is open throughout the year. For more information on when to visit, how to plan for fees, and where to park be sure to visit the official Florida State Parks website. This is certainly one of the best state parks in Florida. Have you ever been to Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve? We'd love to hear about it. Share your experience with us in the comments section!

Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk Trail, you're in luck! We've covered everything you need to know about this delightful trail. As always, before heading outdoors be sure to tell someone where you plan to go. And, always let someone know when you expect to return. And always have the right gear for any changes in weather.