When is the best time of year to go camping/canoeing in Florida?

Question

I've just moved to Tampa from Pennsylvania. I love hiking, camping, canoeing.. It is way too hot now in August for it. When is the best time to go?

Answer 1

You really need to make sure you go when the bugs are not out in full force, they can pack you away down there.  I have canoed the Okefenokee (on the GA state line) in March and it was perfect.  I have been hiking in November and it was OK also.  Around the first of April the bugs start to return.

Answer 2

Actually the height of Summer is a great time to go canoeing in the natural spring runs around the state.  The water is always cool and there is usually plenty of shade.  It's a good way to beat the heat the natural way.

Camping is good from mid/late October through most of April.  Hiking year round, but in the summer short hikes in the morning work better.

Answer 3

Well,

I'm stuck here in Ohio. Suffer! You can go anytime you want, as long as their isn't a hurricane blowing around.

*sigh*

Stay out of the sun during the hot part of the day, drink plenty of water. Morinings and afternoons outta be pleasant enough. Fall should be very nice.

Wanna send me some cash for my heating bill this winter?

Answer 4

I usually go camping in the part of the year that other people call "winter," the November to February part.  We camped at Hillsborough River State Park and Fort de Soto Park.

If you wanted to do outdoorsy stuff now, you can still go canoeing or tubing.  Another thing that's a lot of fun is scallop-diving at Homosassa Springs.