The Savannas Recreation Area is a surprise camping oasis located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Not to be confused with the state park just to the south. The recreation area is mostly a campground and a swamp. Visitors can come for the day or stay for a few months depending on what you are looking for.
Savannas Recreation Area Campground
The campground is fairly nice with the slots providing full hookups for RVers. The campground has bathrooms, laundry facilities, fire rings, and a dog park. Visitors can rent canoes from the office and explore the swampy landscape.
The Wildlife
Unknown Gray Bird An Ibis in Flight The Great Egret Dancing Sandhill Crane Squawking Sandhill Crane The Anhinga (AKA: Water Turkey)
The highlight at the Savanna Recreation Area is the wildlife and the wildlife is abundant. Almost every bird that calls Florida home can be seen in the campground area and in abundance. Visitors can experience more wildlife by getting into a canoe and exploring the surrounding waters or by taking one of several short hikes around the grounds.
The Gopher Loop
One of those hikes is a short loop near the gate. This is the land of the gopher tortoise. These turtles burrow their way into the sandy ground where they make their home and thus the name gopher. On this small loop, we saw no less than a dozen gopher tortoise holes and four turtles either in their burrows or adjacent to them. A unique fact about the gopher tortoise – they pretty much can’t swim.
The Concrete Gator Path
Another of the trails is a concrete path that leads north out of the campground. This path follows the edge of a neighborhood on one side and the swampy marsh on the other. The houses disappear after a short distance and the path is left elevated above swampy earth on both sides. Birds flourish in this area as well as turtles and the occasional alligator. Occasional that is until we stumbled upon an alligator nursery with no less than twenty-two baby gators. It was a thrilling experience although one tinged with the uncertainty of not knowing where mama was or when she might abruptly reveal herself. Luckily that never happened and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to see the tiny reptiles relatively close up.
Conclusion
The Savanna Recreation Area is a great place to set up an RV or a tent and call it home for a few days or months to experience Florida’s natural wildlife.
Savannas Recreation Area Details
- Cost: Varies depending on the time of year. Click here for details.
- Gate Hours: sunrise to sunset
- Canoe Rental: Yes. Click here for details.
- Miles of Trail: 2 miles total
- Fishing: Yes
- Bathrooms: Yes
- Hot-showers: Yes
- Laundry Facility: Yes
- Cell Coverage: Yes
- Wifi: Yes but limited
- Camping reservations are recommended, but they can’t be made online. Call ahead. (772) 464-7855
Incredible pictures of wildlife. Alligators ugh! Too close. What an adventure.