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Primitive beach camping -- and firesQ: I am planning a trip for the first week in March. I want to camp, preferably on the beach or close to the beach. My question is: Where can I camp on the beach that is in the backcountry as opposed to a campground? Preferably with less than a 2-mile hike from car to beach. Also, will these backcountry camps allow fires on the beach? Any help is greatly appreciated. -- Kevin A: Hi, Kevin, those are good questions, and ones that others are likely to ask, too. That's why we save the questions here online for everyone to check out. Your idea of the perfect Florida beach campsite is a pretty tall order. There are plenty of places to camp on the beach, but finding a primitive campsite within 2 miles of the beach is another thing. Most of Florida's beachfront is developed, and even in natural areas where camping is allowed, there are true campgrounds. These camping areas are so popular that you have to reserve them well in advance. Other areas where camping is allowed along the coast don't have a real beach, but may be lined with mangroves or other vegetation. The only place I can think of offhand for you is an island in Canaveral National Seashore's Mosquito Lagoon. But you're going to need a boat to get to the island campsites. If you can rent watercraft for that week, you can camp on your very own island, all by yourself if you want. Now, I've been assuming that by "beach," you mean "ocean beach." If you don't mind a beach on a lake, you can sign up for primitive camping in several state parks. But even then, the primitive sites are often 4 miles or more from the trailhead, which itself may not be close to the lake beach. About the fires: You won't be allowed to make any. Florida is in a severe drought right now, and 1,325 fires raged across 89,000 acres just in the first 2 months of 2001. Florida's agriculture commissioner declared today that there would be no outdoor burning allowed in 39 of the state's 67 counties. Many natural areas have already banned campfires. I hope this information is helpful, however disappointing it may be. Please consider beach camping (see the links under Camping below) in areas that do have campgrounds. It won't be so bad. Do you have a question? Contact the editor. |
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