Hontoon Island State Park

If you want to experience natural Florida at its finest, not to mention enjoy it with your dog by your side, Hontoon Island State Park is the ideal destination. Located along the St. Johns River in Volusia County, this 1,648-acre park offers a space to relax, unwind, and soak up some impressive natural scenery.

But before you start loading up the car, we should point out that the island is only accessible by private boat or the park ferry, which may not be a convenient option for some travelers. However, if that doesn't bother you, there's nothing to stop you planning a family camping vacation in Hontoon Island State Park. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the park, so grab your pooch and get ready for an adventure.

For many visitors, the highlight of a trip to the park is the tranquility and solitude that comes with getting away from it all. You can try your luck fishing for catfish, bass, sunfish, and more, or tackle the three-mile round-trip, self-guided trail that begins at the ranger station. There's even a kids' playground on offer to keep younger kids entertained.

If you plan on staying the night, there are two options available:

• Stay on your boat in one of the 42 accessible boat slips.
• Bring your tent and stay in one of the 12 primitive tent sites. Each site has a picnic table, a ground grill and access to potable water, but no electricity.

Please note that while there are also six cabins on the island, these do not permit pets. There's no entrance fee required to get into the park, but make sure you're aware of the camping charges that apply before reserving a site. Finally, don't forget to clean up after your canine companion whenever necessary.

Other than that, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the serenity of this pristine Florida park.