Big Lagoon State Park

Sitting right along the border between Florida and Alabama, Big Lagoon State Park is a 705 acre (285 hectare) expanse of Florida wetlands that shelter an impressive array of complex ecosystems within it. Boasting as many as nine varied biological communities ranging from tidal marshlands and pristine mesic plateaus to untouched eerie woodlands, the park plays host to a host of exquisite flora and fauna, such as the endangered gopher tortoise, large-leaved wireweed, yellow-billed tern and the migratory snowy plover. The park is also where the Great Florida Birding Trail begins, offering spectacular bird-watching opportunities, especially in the migratory season. Outdoor enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to, from fishing and canoeing to hiking in park's breathtaking confines.