The best camping near Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Timucuan preserves 6,000 years of human history and one of the last unspoiled coastal areas of the Eastern Seaboard. Much like salt marshes giving way to sand dunes, cultures clashed here as Europeans entered the New World.

Drooping trees with Spanish moss give way to wavy grass with intermittent ribbons of water. The tides change the water level, which makes kayaking here an adventure. Bring your own craft or rent boats from nearby outfitters. Motorboats let you breeze through watery inlets. Kayaks offer a more leisurely pace. Don't forget a camera to take photos of cranes dipping their long beaks into the water. Cedar Point is the main boat ramp for the park. You can dock your boat and start hiking here.

On land, you might see foxes strolling about looking for a meal or sunning themselves. Continue your nature tour at the Theodore Roosevelt Area. This 600-acre preserve mixes hardwood forest, wetlands, and scrub vegetation common with sandy areas. Kingsley Plantation gives you a view of plantation life in the 1800s.

American Beach has a large sand dune that protects the inland waterways. This is a resort area and is somewhat developed. This historic area shows a contrast in ideals. While American Beach allowed African-Americans a place to romp in the surf, it was a segregated beach until 1964. Now, anyone can enjoy the warm waters.

Campsites put you in touch with this scenic powerhouse. Coastal areas here and to the north showcase unspoiled lands and waterways. If you want modern comforts, check out Jacksonville to the south.