Watching the Artemis II Launch — April 1 We spent most of the winter exploring Florida’s state parks and making our annual fishing trip to the Keys with my fishing buddies. Along the way, we found ourselves drawn to the Space Coast, catching several SpaceX launches from Cape Canaveral. But the highlight of it all was watching Artemis II lift off on April 1. Our favorite spot for launches was Manatee Hammock Campground. This Brevard County park is dog-friendly and sits directl

Manatee Hammock Campground is one of the best spots I’ve found to watch a rocket launch—hands down. If you’re looking for a front-row seat to launches at Kennedy Space Center, this place is hard to beat. Reservations and Campsite Setup The campground is run by Brevard County, so reservations are made through their website. If you’re trying to book around a rocket launch, plan ahead—it can be tough to get a site when launches are scheduled. Sites can be a little hit or miss. S

Manatee Springs State Park – Chiefland, Florida Manatee Springs State Park and Campground is located in Chiefland, Florida. Reservations are made through the Florida State Parks reservation system. Springs at Manatee Springs | Florida State Parks The park is located right off the Suwannee River, and the spring system feeds directly into it. Manatee Springs is the largest single spring feeding into the Suwannee River. The Gulf is about 23 miles away. Even at that distance, the

Affordable Camping in Jacksonville Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is one of Jacksonville’s best-value campgrounds. It offers 300 wooded sites, several cabins, and full hookups for RVs at just $30 per night. This place is a treasure for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank. The campground is nestled within a vast, forested park. Here, you can find 1.5 miles of private beach access. There’s also a lovely lake perfect for fishing, kayaking, and boat ren