Fried alligator tail simmers in a cast iron skillet over a pile of coals during a backwoods cookout at Fort De Soto Park.

[LARA CERRI | Tiems]

Fine dining from the campfire

What happens when an outdoors editor gets really hungry? Naturally, he builds a campfire, then coaxes his friends into showing off their best recipes while he sips on coffee.

Fried alligator tail simmers in a cast iron skillet over a pile of coals during a backwoods cookout at Fort De Soto Park.

Walk on the 'Wild Side'

Looking for a great day hike or paddle to a barrier island? Planning to buy a backpacking tent but don't know where to start? Find the answers to these and other questions in Terry Tomalin's new outdoors blog.

Outdoors blog

Florida state parks

Florida state parks offer hidden treasures off the beaten path. Click here for a locator map, contact information and brief descriptions of each park.

Multimedia reports

View photo galleries, interactive graphics and video reports here

For the outdoors fan

Tide charts
You can upload a photo of your Great catch

Everglades Challenge

The Insomniacs paddled more than 170 miles over four days before ending their journey short of the 300-mile finish due to work and other commitments. Read their story here.

Outdoors

Reader poll

A year in the outdoors

Here are a dozen ideas for taking advantage of sunny Florida, broken down by month, to get you to try something new during the next year.

Everyday adventures

Weeki Wachee River
This pristine river, most of which is protected, serves as a home to alligators, otters and the endangered West Indian manatee.

Read story | Photo Gallery

Egmont Key
A year-round destination.

Story | Photo Gallery

Slow float to tranquility
Get carried away on the Ichetucknee.

Story | Photo Gallery

Somewhere on the Rainbow
A year-round destination.

Story | Photo Gallery

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