Thankful for the days well spent at Gold Head Branch State Park. We hiked and biked and explored our big backyard all weekend. 
Can’t remember the last time I explored a ravine. Beautiful little brook carving its way out of the Florida sand and scrub pine.
Fitbit says I climbed 14 floors! Who knew there were hills in Florida!
You never know what you’ll find out there 🤣 Happy trails…
Gold Head Branch campground is a big park with excellent sites for both tent camping and RVs.
There is also plenty to see and do. We hiked and biked and explored our big backyard all weekend.
Can’t remember the last time I explored a ravine, glad we took the time to walk down by the little brook carving its way out of the Florida pine.Fitbit says I climbed 14 floors! Who knew there were hills in Florida!You never know what you’ll find out there 🤣 Happy trails…
We’ve been asked what it’s like to camp at Fort Clinch and were lucky enough to snag a cancellation for the MLK long weekend.
The January temperature was perfect though a bit chilly at times for our beagle. 
Fort Clinch State Park has two campgrounds – one on the oceanside and the other on the riverside. Our site was on the beach with a walkway a few sites down that led directly to the ocean and these hammocks.
We were close enough to be lulled to sleep each night by ocean spray and rumbling tides.
Each morning we went for a walk on the private beach (no dogs allowed).
We walked down to the pier that is currently closed from hurricane Matthew. 
and on Sunday I even got up early enough to see the sunrise over the ocean. Heavenly!
Here’s the view coming back from the beach. There are a few sites (#7 – 10 shown here) that have a slight view of the ocean. The rest are closely nestled in the dunes or sand scrub.
Warning, there are sand spurs in the grassy area around the sites. We had to pull a few out of Penny’s paws and chose to keep her on the pavement when out walking.
Each day we rode our bikes around the park.
On the road to the riverside campground, I spotted mushrooms as big as dinner plates. Upon further investigation I learned these are known as Jack O’Lantern mushrooms. Fun fact – they are bioluminescent! They contain the same enzyme as fireflies! Who knew?
Had I known, I would have gone back to see them in the dark. They are also poisonous, so don’t eat them.
The riverside sites are are few steps away from more spectacular views. Though, none of the sites are on the water or have actual water views, they are shaded which the beach sites are not. 
And then there’s the fort!
There are also mountain bike trails and gorgeous hiking paths between hidden waterways to explore as well as the towns of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.
Reservations for the park can be made at Reserve America, and you will probably see that most days are full. But, if you check back in regularly you will see cancellations, especially the week before you are looking to camp. It’s worth the trip, Fort Clinch is our favorite Florida campground so far!
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