Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content
Megamenu requires javascript to be enabled in your browser.

Get Moving, Get Outdoors, and Get Healthy This Summer!

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

May 28, 2014

When considering the destination for your next bike ride, walk, hike, or camping trip, is Florida at the top of your list? It should be! As National Great Outdoors Month inspires America to celebrate its natural treasures, Floridians should make sure to experience the great outdoors right here at home. Staying active doesn’t have to mean lifting weights or jogging through the neighborhood. Plan your next adventure, and make sure to get moving, get outdoors, and get healthy this summer!

Ready to hit the trails? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has got you covered! According to DEP, Florida has 161 parks, 10 state trails, nearly 800,000 acres,100 miles of beaches and more than 1,600 miles of multi-use trails attracting nearly 25 million visitors a year. Walking one mile, regardless of pace, burns about 100 calories. Grab a hiking stick, some headphones, a four-legged friend or your loved ones and enjoy a calorie-burning stroll through one of Florida’s lush, canopied trails.

If hiking isn’t for you, never fear! There are many activities at Florida’s state parks to help you get moving this summer, including:

  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Walking
  • Roller blading
  • Bicycling

While there is a small fee to enter each park, DEP also offers annual individual and family passes that are honored at most state parks. Passes allow visitors to enjoy parks for pennies a day and may be purchased at a park, online, via fax or mail. Discounts are available for members of the military and their families. On Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day), entrance into a state park is free to all!

To help plan your park visit and activities, download DEP’s free Pocket Ranger® app, an interactive guide that gives users access to all state parks and trails with detailed information, amenities, facility maps and directions.

At Florida’s state parks, nature is your gym. Instead of swimming lanes and treadmills we have rivers and trails; instead of weight rooms and saunas we have caverns and beaches. This summer, take the opportunity to explore Florida and its natural treasures. Chances are you’ll have mounds of fun while getting great, healthy exercise at the same time!

For more information on getting healthy in Florida, visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com. Additional details on Florida’s state parks and trails can be found at www.floridastateparks.org, and for more on National Great Outdoors Month visit www.funoutdoors.com or www.americanhiking.org.

View Florida’s proclamation on Great Outdoors Month.

Additional Resources

Error processing SSI file