FALL OUTDOORS IN FLORIDA: GUIDE TO AUTUMN ADVENTURES

Welcome to Fall Outdoors in Florida where we turn up the sunshine and dial down the chill. Who says autumn needs to be cold and crunchy? In the Sunshine State, fall means tons of campfires, paddleboarding past palm trees, and fall festivals that last until sundown. Buckle up for a guide that proves you can enjoy all the autumn thrills without ever having to leave the warmth of Florida’s great outdoors!

For many other parts of the country, the arrival of autumn brings crisp air, vibrant fall colors, and the comforting scent of pumpkin spice lattes from all the corner coffee shops. However, for everyone residing in the Sunshine State, the transition from the summer season to fall is a unique experience. While a nice cool front is always welcome after a scorching summer, we’re just happy for the humidity to disappear! So, jump in the Hulasquatch with us and let THIS native Floridian show you why the Sunshine State is a great place to adventure this Fall!

SAVE THE DATE FOR COOLER WEATHER.

According to the calendar and meteorologists, the autumn season begins with the autumnal equinox around the 22 or 23 of September. While the rest of the United States picks up on this seasonal cue, Florida’s seasonal changes remain unique. We continue to enjoy Florida’s subtropical climate and warm weather without the crazy cold fronts our neighbors in the northern states experience. Our average daily temperatures hover in the mid to low 70s with random cooler temperatures around the end of October or early November.

If checking out the Fall foliage in North Florida you saw in our FALL OUTDOORS IN FLORIDA: GUIDE TO AUTUMN ADVENTURES has left you hangry, then ROAD TRIP TO SATCHEL’S BEST PIZZA IN GAINESVILLE, FL for pure pizza nirvana!

With hurricane season wrapping up at the end of November and the end of the rainy season, frizzy hair, and high humidity, we welcome the respite to the change of season. With GORGEUOS blue skies, a Florida Fall is a great place to be!

SO WHAT HAPPENS IN FLORINDA IN FALL!?

EVERYTHING! We come out of a heat vortex where our daily average high temperatures were in the high 90s with a heat index of 9 billion degrees, and we head outdoors to adventure! Autumn is the ideal time to visit and we open up our “hospitality!” From exploring a beach town like St. Augustine, checking out the downtown Orlando foodie scene, to air boating down in the Florida Everglades, there is something for everyone. It’s a GREAT SEASON to wander to a part of Florida you’ve never been!

…SO IF YOU’RE PLANNING A FLORIDA FALL FAMILY VACA…

Then Fall is the golden ticket of season’s to visit! Take advantage of school starting back up and fly in early October to cash-in on the lowest airfares to Florida making this a prime time to visit.

How’s the weather in Florida!? Central Florida and the Northern part of the state will share similar climates during our Fall months while Southern Florida will experience the least of the Florida Fall season.

PRO FLORIDA FALL TIP: Planning a cruise out of one of our great ports or planning to fly in!? Fall is our busiest hurricane season and can pose some unique challenges to your travel itinerary. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30th. Make sure before you arrive that there aren’t any storm systems brewing & there hasn’t been any any changes to your trip!

​FLORIDA FALL’S SUNNY SURPRISE!

​Do the leaves change in Florida!? Ah, the great Florida leaf mystery! While you won’t find a kaleidoscope of reds and oranges like up north, Florida does offer its own fall flair. The Florida Panhandle is the best place to start. Around late November to early December, the state’s hardwoods and sweetgum trees put on a modest but charming show. Expect a gentle shift from vibrant greens to hints of yellow and rusty hues. So, while we might not have a full-blown autumn extravaganza, we do have a sprinkle of seasonal color with plenty of sunshine—proof that Florida’s fall is just as delightful, if a bit more laid-back!

WHERE TO GO TO CATCH FLORIDA FALL COLOR:

• TORREYA STATE PARK– Named after a rare species of Torreya tree, it is one of Florida’s original parks. Located west of Tallahassee is one of the most scenic places in the state and was developed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Because it’s situated on a high bluff above the Apalachicola River, its topography mimics that of North Carolina. Here you will find hardwood forests filled with the southern sugar maple, sweetgum, and sourwood trees that ablaze in reds, oranges, and yellows beginning in late October.
• THREE RIVERS STATE PARK- Located less than an hour from Tallahassee, where you will find vibrantly-hued pine tress along Lake Seminole where you can paddle, hike, camp, or day trip.
• GAINESVILLE– Gainesville is also a great spot to see the bright colors of the Florida maple, sweetgum, persimmon and sugarberry trees.
• WEKIWAY STATE PARK– Central Florida. Just head to Wekiway State Park in Apopka to see the yellows and oranges among the cypress and maple trees that grow between the popular palms we all know and love.

Here’s a roundup of our favorite FALL OUTDOORS IN FLORIDA adventure ideas to help you embrace this FANTASTIC season!

PADDLING THE FLORIDA WATERWAYS.

Fall outdoors in Florida offers so much natural beauty. From paddling the coastal mangroves in Sarasota to cruising down an old Florida river. One of our favorite ways to enjoy this season is to grab our kayaks and explore. One trail we revisit every year is Silver Springs. The light dances off of the foliage differently this time of the year and the alligators are lazier! PADDLING THE RIVER- SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK,FLORIDA

Fall Camping in Florida: Sun, S’mores, and Swamps!

Fall camping in Florida? Absolutely! Swap out those high-humidity mornings for Florida breezes and sunny skies. Imagine pitching your tent under a canopy of golden leaves (or, in Florida’s case, vibrant green palms), in LAKE KISSIMMEE STATE PARK CAMPING IN OLD FLORIDA and waking up to a symphony of chirping birds instead of the crunch of frost or sweltering heat.

From Florida prairies to camping on the Bay, Florida offers a fall camping experience where the only chill is in the evening air, and the days are filled with endless sunshine and adventure. Grab your gear and embrace autumn in the Sunshine State. For more camping this Fall in Florida, visit Florida State Parks.

BONUS: During the cooler months, Florida’s cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations in an 1876-era cow camp. Florida Fall fun for the whole family!

A FLORIDA BEACH TO EXPLORE.

We love to spend the day at the beach during Fall. So where do we head!? St. Augustine. It’s like a sun-soaked dream with a splash of autumn charm and one of our most beloved Florida destinations! Imagine strolling along historic cobblestone streets with a gentle ocean breeze, while enjoying pumpkin-spiced treats at seaside cafes.

As the crowds thin, you can savor serene beach walks with the sand still warm beneath your feet and sunsets that paint the sky in stunning hues of orange and pink. In St. Augustine, Fall isn’t about cold winds and leaf piles—it’s about the beach, cozy waterfront dinners, basking in the mild sunshine, and exploring hidden gems. Dive into the season with a coastal twist, with FLORIDA’S OFF THE BEATEN PATH GUIDE TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

FLORIDA FALL FESTIVALS: SUN, FUN, AND PUMPKIN PATCHES!

​FALL OUTDOORS IN FLORIDA: GUIDE TO AUTUMN ADVENTURES is like a splash of autumn magic with a side of sunshine! Here, fall means corn mazes, lively music, and pumpkin patches against a backdrop of palm trees. From quirky craft fairs to zany Halloween bashes, Florida’s festivals turn up the fun while keeping the temperatures just right. So, swap your winter coat for sunscreen and dive into a season where the only thing cooler than the fall breeze is the festive spirit. It’s fall in Florida—where autumn’s a sunny celebration!

FALLING FOR BOK TOWER GARDENS: AUTUMN’S SCENIC SERENADE.

​Explore an enchanted garden where blooms sing and dance in the autumn breeze and a magical tower chimes every hour. One of Central Florida’s best-kept secrets, this hidden gem packs hiking trails, secret gardens, and a Parisian-style outdoor cafe beckoning you to linger on a beautiful Florida Fall day! Bonus…Bok loves pets so bring yours along! This Fall, wander to WHERE THE WILD THINGS GROW AT HISTORIC BOK TOWER GARDENS! 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Heading to Central Florida this Fall!? Here’s all the Fall fun happening at Bok Tower!

FALL OUTDOORS IN FLORIDA: GUIDE TO AUTUMN ADVENTURES DRESS CODE.

It’s all about getting layered this Fall! Here’s why we LOVE Fall in Florida…even if the air is crisp…the sun is ALWAYS bright and warm and the pools are heated so you can live out your best FLORIDA FALL VACA DREAMS!

Pack easy light layers for your most comfortable adventure.

• Shorts & Jeans. Fall weather in Florida IS ALL OVER!
• Lightweight Tops.
• A Sweater.
• At Least Two Pairs of Comfortable Walking Shoes. We love Teva’s and OluKai’s.
• Rain Gear. It’s Florida.
• Reusable Water Bottle. It may say Fall on the calendar, but it’s still warm.
• Sunglasses
• Swimsuit. BEST time to enjoy the water!
• Sunscreen.
• Cute hat.
• Bug Spray.

ARE YOUR BAGS PACKED!?

So there you have it—our “Fall Outdoors in Florida: Guide to Autumn Adventures” proves that you don’t need crisp air and crunchy leaves to enjoy the season. From beachside adventures to sun-soaked kayaking, Florida offers a fall experience as warm and inviting as its weather. Embrace the season with a splash of sunshine and a sprinkle of adventure, proving once and for all that autumn in the Sunshine State is not only unique but downright delightful. So grab your shades and get ready to make the most of fall, Florida style!

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