Tomoka State Park

Where the Halifax and Tomoka Rivers meet you’ll find Tomoka State Park. Surrounded by calm water, this little park is a boater and canoeist’s paradise. Just be aware that you have to share the waters with someone else—endangered West Indian manatees. Don’t worry, they’re friendly (except when you call them sea cows, they don’t really like that …). If you’re venturing out into the manatee-infested waters make sure you bring a fishing pole; over 90 species of fish call the Tomoka River home, including big guys like snook and tarpon. Back on land you can hike the short nature trail that snakes through a hardwood hammock that was once home to Timucuan Indians. The shortness of the trail (it’s only a half mile long) is made up for in the amount of history packed into its path; you’ll pass through the site of the ancient Timucuan Village of Nocoroco as you walk along the banks of the river. In the evening, don’t retire to your tent until after it gets dark—you don’t want to miss the spectacular Tomokan sunset!