You Won't Believe This Town Is In Florida
With Florida’s shape as a peninsula, it is no surprise that beaches are often front and center in everyone’s mind. However, the state offers much more than simply sandy shores, with some towns breaking that mold. Monticello is a perfect example. Steering away from this coastal stereotype, it brings old-growth forests, rolling hills, spring-fed rivers, and open-skied farms into the mix. If you want to experience a quieter, less talked-about side of Florida, Monticello is the perfect destination.
Outdoor Recreation
There are plenty of parks and trails in the Monticello area where travelers can explore the town’s unique nature and terrain. Monticello Ecological Park is a great place to begin, just a short walk from the downtown district. Visitors will find around 28 acres of old-growth forest filled with pines and hardwoods. A short trail loops through the park, transitioning into a boardwalk that crosses over wetlands and a spring-fed stream. Although their exact age is unknown, many believe the trees in the area have never been cut, making the park a rare place to visit.
The Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park is another fascinating destination to have on your itinerary, situated just a 10-minute drive from town. This park is perfect for history and nature lovers, featuring a variety of native species alongside its well-known Native American mounds. As you stroll through the park, some animals you might spot include gopher tortoises, snapping turtles, musk turtles, alligators, flatwood salamanders, armadillos, and various snake species. It is also home to mammals like the marsh rabbit, gray and red fox, bobcats, and coyotes. The best way to explore the park is via its half-mile interpretive trail, beginning at the foot of the ceremonial mound boardwalk and meandering past various smaller mounds. The mounds along the trail hold remarkable historical significance, dating back 1,100 to 1,800 years, with archaeological artifacts dating as far back as 12,000 years.
Wacissa River
In southern Florida, the beaches provide entertainment, but locals enjoy spots like the Wacissa River in the north. This river flows south of Monticello and is spring-fed and brimming with wildlife. Anglers can easily spend an afternoon fishing for small and largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and mullet. At the same time, bald eagles, herons, egrets, barred owls, alligators, turtles, and river otters call the water home.
To explore this pristine river, consider arranging a rental with Wacissa River Canoe Rentals, which has kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards available for daily rentals. 5 Rivers Adventures has great airboat tours, offering several different tour types. Travelers can sign up for a traditional, one-hour tour down the river, appreciating the local wildlife and hearing stories about the Indigenous people who once resided there. For an even more immersive excursion, sign up for a three-hour trip that features a stop at Goose Pasture, a quiet recreational area along the riverbanks that is part of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.
Local Farms
In addition to Monticello’s forests and rivers, plenty of rolling farmland stretches exist. What better way to experience it than by visiting a local farm? Aunt Louise’s Farm is a town favorite, offering seasonal farm activities throughout the year. Through the end of August, the farm is hosting its seasonal Sunflower Days, where guests are welcome to come and take pictures in its scenic sunflower field. To celebrate the fall season, you can also stop by the farm during the Fall Farm Days, complete with a corn maze, corn pit, barrel train rides, wagon rides, and more. You can also meet some friendly farm animals, including alpacas, donkeys, highland cows, horses, chickens, rabbits, and quail. Meanwhile, springtime features a similar themed event, complete with wildflower fields, wagon rides, and rubber duck races, among other farm activities.
Although closed for the season this year, Green Meadows Farm is another popular summer destination, known for its annual early-summer blueberry picking experiences. If you love wine, you might also enjoy visiting Monticello Vineyards and Winery, which crafts wine with over 18 varieties of estate-grown Muscadine grapes. Visitors can contact the winery about tastings and sales or pick fresh grapes in August and September.
While Florida offers many beautiful destinations, sometimes you may crave something different. Monticello is a wonderful town to add to your itinerary if you are hoping to explore the state’s northern, more hilly region. Not only will you find plenty of interesting forests and wildlife, but you will also be able to explore the area’s Native American mounds that date back thousands of years. So prepare to uncover a different facet of Florida’s diversity with a visit to Monticello.
