Flatwoods Wilderness Park

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La Florida
With more than 4,000 native flowering plants, the early Spanish explorers were awfully prescient when they named their new territory "Flowerland." At least the Spanish understood truth in advertising. And all the better for us ... it sounds almost like some B-grade tourist attraction in Kissimmee. You basically can't take a step anywhere in the state without crushing some kind of exotic bud. So pack yourself a lunch, fill up two bottles of water, and head for the proverbial hills (the only kind we have).

Sight Lines
Armadillos, bobcats, coyote, Eastern indigo snakes, egrets, owls, ospreys, woodpeckers, red fox, squirrels, wild pigs, gopher frogs, Florida mice, wildflowers, trees and a waterway or two.

Danger Factor
While the place is loaded with wildlife, you don't have to worry about big ol' grizzly bears eating you or anything. Instead just look out for joggers and bikers because an ankle-spraining collision miles from civilization would not be fun.

Around and Around
Most of the visitors to Flatwoods use its paved, circular jog/bike/walk path to tone up and shed a few. And unfortunately, a tiny bit of Florida's beauty is lost each time someone whips by on rollerblades. Many folk will just be going too fast to appreciate what's growing on around them. But not you, our able-bodied flower seeker, because the nicest thing about finding wildflowers is the mellow pace you take to find them.

Don't Miss
Nearby Dead River Park and John B. Sargeant, Sr. Wilderness Park.