Camping and Navigating the Real Florida
Phipps Park
Atlantic Preserve State Park
October 14-15, 2017
Summary
I visited a lot of state parks when I roadtripped from Tallahassee to Miami and back for a Friday the 13th Wedding in October 2017. On my way back up North I needed to hit up Atlantic Preserve State Park and Seabranch Preserve State Park since I had previously gotten the stamps three days earlier at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Since I explored Miami in the late morning/early afternoon, I would need a place to stay. The two parks I needed didn't have campgrounds, but I located a campground at a Martin County park just down the road. I'm used to ReserveAmerica or KOA websites, but not terrible county websites. It took me at least three tries of entering all of my information because I kept doing it in the wrong spot. Eventually I succeeded and had a reservation confirmation for the night of October 14, 2017 and a campsite number. If you are ever bored and want to solve an unnecessarily complex puzzle, try reserving a campsite at this website: https://econnect.martin.fl.us/econnect/Facilities/FacilitiesSearchWizard.asp
A few days after booking I received a phone call from the guy who runs the campground. He at first applauded me and was impressed that I was able to make an online reservation. Since he admitted this, I have no problem speaking about how terrible that site is. But you know what isn't terrible? The campground! Anyway, he gave me the gate code and a rundown of everything.
So I camped and then went on an expedition the next morning. More details in the story!
The Gear
- Sony A5100 Mirrorless Camera
- Florida State Parks Passport
- Florida State Parks Annual Pass
- Osprey Daylite [Day Pack]
- Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent [Car Camping Tent]
The Story:
Phipps Park
I arrived at Phipps Park a little before sundown. The gate was still open so I could just cruise in. There were a few RVs (jealous!) in the RV designated spots towards the entrance but pretty much vacant after that. I booked a site along the river with a view of the bridge. Since it would be getting dark soon, I pitched the tent right away. Then I decided to walk around and try to take some pictures as the sunset because everything looked beautiful. I wasn't expected cute bridges and walkways right across from my campsite.
2175 SW Locks Rd Stuart, FL 34997
So I'm walking around with my brightass headlamp taking mostly terrible pictures as I tried to figure out settings on my camera. Only a few made the cut. My favorite one is located at the top of this blog.
My light and camera flashes were probably really noticeable since a pickup truck was slowly approaching me. He drove up and asked what I was doing or something. He then realized "Ohhh you're the young woman tent camping for the one night! I'm *name*, I run the campground!" He checked in to make sure everything was okay, warned me about all of the gators especially in the dark, and then went on his way.
In the morning, I went for a slow jog around the park and campsite. I snapped a photo of my spacious site before tearing down and getting on the road.
Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park
This park would be a different kind of adventure. Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park is undeveloped/incomplete. You even have to get a gate code to gain access to the park. The Florida State Parks motto is "the real Florida" and oh man I would get to experience it.
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Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park
- Region: Central East
- Address: 8120 SE Paulson Ave Stuart, FL 34997
- Hours: Daily 08:00-17:00
- No website and no brochure - undeveloped park
- Entrance: Requires gate code - call Jonathan Dickinson State Park 772-546-2771
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As I'm driving down the road in the neighborhood that leads to the entrance, I get stopped in a mini traffic jam.
I called Jonathan Dickinson State Park to retrieve the code. They gave it to me. It took me about five minutes and lots of frustration to get this lock open. I need to do more upper body workouts.
There's more going on than I thought. There's a building where a group seemed to be working and also some picnic tables where I figured I would park.
This was really the only trail entrance I could find. Not that I looked far. This was also where I parked my car. The fact that there was signage was a good sign right?
I went off on my merry way! Equipped with the terrible paper map of trails and a phone with GPS. And of course water/Nuun.
I really got to see an "untouched" part of Florida. Yes there was a trail, but there was only a small amount of foot traffic. It was really pretty!
At first all of the water was on the side of the trail. Eventually it became more involved in the trail. This is when I realized that we take all of those little footbridges on more developed trails for granted. I fortunately had high socks on but wish I had bigger boots or pants too.
There was also plenty of growth on the trail. At least I think I was on the trail. Good thing it's daylight out or else I might be unknowingly starring in a horror movie.
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| What a beautiful slash pine, poor thing :( |
At last! More signage! Since I'm clearly a horse, I decided to go left. It also would make the most sense in terms of knowing where I am. I also couldn't see much trail ahead, and I'm assuming the worst about a trail if horses aren't allowed on it.
But I had my doubts as I made the decision. This is how the turn begins. At least it looks clear ahead, right?
Yea, not too bad....
Oh......
Hmmm...
I'll try going around?
....Again
....and again
........and again
Wait...Is that a trap? Luckily it wasn't tempting to me, but I wonder what they were trying to catch.
Ruh Roh Raggie!
Maybe I can go off to the side like I've been trying to do...
This doesn't look much better....
There was a lot of map checking and GPS checking and decision making. Turning back wasn't going to be fun. I had already gone through knee deep water. It looked like this trail should meet up with a more "mainstream" one soon. I decided to continue on.
Yea I ended up wading through waist deep water...
It was only a little bit terrifying...but the trail is already looking better!
Much easier mud to walk around and a sign post that indicates something.
Ahead I see an actual sign!
It is about prescribed burning, but it is also located at a junction with a more developed trail.
I turn left which I assume leads back to the park entrance and enjoy smooth trails from there on!
There's even picnic tables along here! I'm excited to see what this park will end up looking like.
More muddy water, fortunately I could get around it. With a little bit of a jump.
Don't forget to look up!
I made it back!
Hurdles:
Well... I wish I was more prepared for wading through suspicious dark waters. But other than that, it was pretty cool to experience the unknown! No gator attacks, so I'm good.
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