Here’s one thing all camper and RV owners can agree on: when one road trip ends, we start planning the next. We can’t help it. It’s instinct.
The infinite possibilities for future trips can induce a kind of manic euphoria – the maps come out, the browser tabs open up, draft itineraries are made with travel days, play days, rest days. Perhaps it’s a trip you’ve been thinking about for years, or you’ve met some fellow travelers on your last road trip that told you about a must-see destination. Or maybe it’ll be your first trip with your new Black Series off-road trailer, the maiden voyage. For us, there’s an RV road trip destination that we feel is criminally underrated: Florida.
Photo: @donebyalex (left), @radz71 (right)
Florida, you say? Well, contrary to popular belief, The Sunshine State isn’t just white sandy beaches and crowded theme parks. It also offers abundant natural landscapes, hunting for big game and small, fishing (duh), rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and more. For anyone who’s up for an adventure, Florida promises an incredible multi-sport RV road trip. If it’s not on your bucket list, it should be.
And that’s the best thing about having a camper or RV: when the stars align for an epic road trip that combines your favorite activities, whether it be fishing, hunting, 4-wheeling, or mountain biking, there’s no reason you can’t do them all in one go.
Below we’ve outlined an epic, multi-sport, Florida RV road trip itinerary. It includes four iconic outdoor destinations, each with a thrilling activity. Looking for trip inspiration? Look no further.
Start in the South for…
Deep-Sea Fishing in The Florida Keys
Start your trip in one of the most desirable deep sea fishing destinations in the world: The Florida Keys. This bucket-list experience is packed with blue skies, bluer water, and a lot–a lot!–of fish. The Florida Keys offers an abundant choice of fish species for anglers to target as well as guided charters. Species include Dorado (mahi mahi), Wahoo, Swordfish, Sharks, and Marlin. If you’ve ever read The Old Man and the Sea, these waters are very similar. No wonder the Florida Keys have been called the “Fishing Capital of the World.”
With plenty of deep-sea fishing charters to select from when you get down there, we recommend looking at places in Islamorada, Key Largo, or Marathon. Any of the charters there will take you to the best spots to drop your line. Hiring a charter is your best bet for that deep sea fishing experience. It will increase your chances of catching fish. Local captains are immersed in the area’s fishing so they know where the fishing has been hot, where it’s been cold, and what’s been biting. If you plan to rent your own boat, there are plenty of resources to locate a suitable spot; just be prepared to spend a little more time finding it.
Where to stay: Park your camper at the nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park which has various spots to camp. Enjoy the nearby coral reefs and beachfront lounging, manage the heat by finding shade under your retractable awning and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a fish cookout using your outdoor kitchen.
Then head north to…
Hunt Wild Boar in Central Florida
Take the Florida Turnpike up the coastline to central Florida for one of the most adventurous things you’ll do during your trip: wild boar hunting. Yep, you heard that right. Florida isn’t just dolphins and alligators; it’s got the second-highest wild boar population in the United States, just behind Texas. You can actually find wild boars in every single county in Florida. The wild boar population in Florida is so massive that to help maintain it, Florida has removed any size or bag limits for wild boar and you don’t even need a license. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, though. These creatures are fast, feral, and uncannily smart. So if you think you are ready to take on the challenge of the Wild Boar hunt – either with a rifle, or a bow – you’ll need to be in mid-season form. There are many local outfitters prepared to help you out.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive experience, book a trip with a company known for working with everyone from first-time hunters to seasoned experts, such as Trophy Hammock Outfitters, located in Lake Wales. Their guides will skin and quarter any hog harvested any way you want it for a small fee. So make sure you clear that Dometic cooler so you can bring home the bacon!
Where to stay: Head over to Lake Kissimmee State Park to find a spot beneath the giant oak trees, providing you with a shady canopy and a natural noise buffer for a bit of peace after a long day hunting. You can choose from 59 different campsites near the lake, all with water and electric hookups. Set up your outdoor kitchen to prep and cook your wild boar. Bon Appétit!
Continue north for…
Mountain Biking at Santos Trailhead
Photographers: Tim Foster (left), William Hook (right)
Rated by the International Mountain Biking Association as one of the best trail destinations, the Santos Trailhead is a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive north of your last destination. When you find yourself surrounded by giant Florida pines, it’s apparent you’ve finally arrived in the Florida backwoods aka its mountain biking mecca – truly some of the best mountain biking terrain that the American southeast has to offer.
Although many mountain bikers tend to head to the western United States for steep, dusty single track, Santos has earned its spot as a must-ride destination. Its model trail system boasts a streamlined single track and bike skills park with challenges for beginners and experts alike. If you don’t have one already, ask your Black Series dealership to set you up with a bike rack for easy hauling to the trailhead and beyond.
Where to stay: Having so much fun, you don’t want to leave? Well, you’re in luck because the Santos Campground is located right there at the trailhead. You can ride and relax all in the same spot, never having to move your setup – it’s ride, eat, sleep, repeat. The campground at Santos has a strong community of Mountain Bikers, so you’ll have no problem finding like-minded adventures who all enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the area. This campground has 24 sites with water and electricity, a dump station for RVs, a pavilion, a bathhouse, potable water for refills. And, of course, easy access to some of the best mountain biking trails in Florida.
Finish your trip with…
4-Wheeling in the forests of Ocala
Photo: Victor Rossetto (left)
Hop in your RV and head just 30 minutes to the Hard Rock Off-Road Park located in Ocala, FL. This place is a mecca for dirt bikes, quads, and 4×4 vehicles because of it’s designated area for playing around and exploring, including a rock garden, steep climbs, and an assortment of trails. Their website says, “You can get as rough as you like” as you discover the entire 70 acres of trails.
If you’re a Black Series owner, be sure to talk to your local dealership, as they are often happy to help modify and customize your off-road trailer setup to accommodate toy hauling. If toy-hauling is your jam, the HQ19T and the HQ22T are your berries. They come with an enclosed garage set up with separate lockable doors between the living quarters and the garage. It features aluminum diamond plates and tie-down hooks throughout. The T-model trailers even come with a patio configuration with a back door that converts into a tent enclosure for more outdoor space when camping. They’re hands down the best toy hauler setup on the market.
Where to stay: Like the Santos Trailhead above, this park offers your choice of on-site camping with 22 different 30 AMP hookup sites for your RV – so you can stay and play as long as you’d like. They even offer special rates for long-term camping, so it looks like it’s time to stock your fridge with food and Dometic cooler with beer – because you might be here a while.
And there you have it, our itinerary for a thrilling multi-sport mega road trip adventure in Florida! Not heading to the southeast any time soon? Use this as inspiration for your own multi-sport mega-trip, and stay tuned for more epic itineraries. Where do you want us to go next? Where do want some trip ideas for? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, or hit us up on social!
