Easterlin Park

Description

Easterlin Park stands as one of South Florida’s hidden treasures, offering a refreshing escape from the urban bustle. I’ve spent countless weekends here, and let me tell you – this 46.6-acre park genuinely captures the authentic Florida woodland experience. The dense canopy of mature oak trees creates this amazing natural ceiling, giving campers and day visitors a true sense of being immersed in nature.

What really sets this park apart is how it manages to preserve its wild character while providing modern amenities. Y’know what I mean? Like, you’re definitely roughing it in nature, but not too rough – there’s still hot showers and clean facilities when you need them!

Key Features

• Full-service campground with 45 sites for RVs and tents
• Modern restroom facilities with hot showers
• 18-hole disc golf course weaving through the woods
• Nature trails perfect for bird watching and wildlife spotting
• Picnic pavilions and BBQ grills scattered throughout
• Playground area for kids
• Basketball courts and fitness stations
• Clean, well-maintained bathroom facilities
• Pet-friendly areas (keep them leashed!)
• Spacious RV sites with electric and water hookups

Best Time to Visit

From my experience camping here multiple times, the sweet spot for visiting Easterlin Park is between November and April. The weather’s just perfect then – low humidity, mild temperatures, and way fewer mosquitos! But here’s a pro tip: weekday visits are absolutely golden if you’re looking for extra peace and quiet.

Summer months can get pretty intense with Florida heat and afternoon thunderstorms. But if you’re an early bird, morning visits during summer can still be amazing – the tree canopy provides fantastic shade, and the wildlife is super active during these hours.

How to Get There

Getting to Easterlin Park is pretty straightforward, especially if you’re coming from I-95. The park sits right near the heart of Oakland Park, and honestly, you can’t miss it. Once you’re off the highway, you’ll wind through some residential areas – and boom, there it is!

I remember my first time trying to find it, actually got a bit turned around cause my GPS was acting weird. But now I know better – just follow the signs once you’re in the general area. The entrance is well-marked, and there’s plenty of parking once you get inside.

Tips for Visiting

Listen, I learned some of these the hard way, so let me save you some trouble! First off, definitely make reservations if you’re planning to camp, especially during peak season. The good spots go fast, trust me.

Bring bug spray – and I mean the good stuff. Those Florida mosquitos don’t mess around, particularly during dawn and dusk. And speaking of wildlife, keep your food stored properly. We’ve got some curious raccoons that love to make midnight raids!

For disc golf enthusiasts (like myself), bring your own discs if you can. While you can rent them, having your own makes the experience so much better. The course can be challenging with all the trees, but that’s what makes it fun!

If you’re camping, try to grab a site in the oak-shaded area – sites 15-30 are particularly nice. They offer better protection from both sun and rain, plus they’re closer to the facilities. Oh, and don’t forget a good flashlight – the park gets properly dark at night, which is amazing for stargazing but tricky for midnight bathroom runs!

The park sometimes hosts nature programs and guided walks – totally worth checking out if they’re available during your visit. And hey, if you’re into photography, early morning light filtering through the oak canopy creates some absolutely stunning shots.

One last thing – bring cash for the park entry fee. While they do accept cards for camping reservations, having cash on hand just makes everything easier. And remember, the park closes at sunset unless you’re camping, so plan your day visit accordingly!

Location

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