Right down the road near Chipley, Florida is a secret gem in Falling Waters State Park and the Florida Caverns National Natural Landmark. The Kia Sorento and the Kia Telluride can hold all your camping gear and get you to your state or national park comfortably.
This summer, load up your car and head out for some all-American outdoor fun.
Camping is a great way to make memories with your friends and family and connect with nature.
Fill up a cooler with yummy treats and drinks, and teach the kids (or adults) some new skills like outdoor cooking.
Put away the electronics, bring along a guitar or a Bluetooth speaker, tell stories of your favorite times together by the campfire, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and just relax under the stars. Then sleep in the great outdoors and wake up with the sun.
At Falling Waters State Park, there are easy walking paths where you can explore the natural beauty of old Florida swimming holes, the fern-lined creeks, and pine meadows, then hike a short boardwalk trail that leads you to a 100-foot tall and 20-foot wide sinkhole that creates Florida’s highest waterfall.
Falling Waters State Park has full-facility campsites, which are clean and close to the campgrounds. For more information on exploring this park or camping, visit the website here.
When you’re ready for a geological wonder, load up for a day trip just down the road past the pines and fields of wildflowers at the Florida Caverns State Park, where you’ll see what used to be under the sea, a fascinating pathway of cave passages with stalactites, stalagmites, and cave-drip formations.
The highlight of the trip is taking a guided tour by one of the knowledgeable guides. There is also a great gift shop near the entrance of the cave. There are also campsites available at this park, if you would like a one-and-done camping and exploring trip.
For more information on this park here.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed or spend too much money in the camping aisle, but remember you only need a few basics to get started.
Here are just a few items you need to begin: a tent, a sleeping bag and pad, a light source, a camp chair, and a cooler. You can either use wood, a fire starter like flint, and waterproof matches to cook, or bring a camping stove. Don’t forget the s’mores!
Make sure you set up your tent when it is still daylight on a flat surface away from the campfire. Bring easy meals that don’t require many ingredients. There are plenty of camping recipes online.
Take a good bug spray and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Dispose of all used food items in a sealed container. Pro tip: always keep a roll of toilet paper and wet wipes in the console.
A bungee cord with some clothespins and helpful to have on hand to hang wet swimwear and towels in between trees.
It’s always a good idea to do a tent practice run in your yard and make your first camping excursion close to home.
Most of all, don’t be intimidated! Camping is pretty easy and the return on your investment is priceless. Get out this summer and explore our Florida State Parks!
Where will Kia take you?
