Travelers visiting the Florida Panhandle might pass through the town of Sneads in the blink of an eye. Outdoor enthusiasts know this region of farmland and forests as a recreational wonderland. The town lies along the shores of Lake Seminole, a 38,000-acre haven for fishermen, boaters, jet-skiers and wildlife watchers. Campers can enjoy a nature-oriented experience at one of four campgrounds within 20 miles of Sneads.
Nestled on the banks of Lake Seminole, Seminole Lodge (seminolelodge.com) in Sneads is a marina, motel and campground rolled into one. The campground offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including wildlife watching, picnicking and licensed fishing and hunting. Slip your vessel onto the lake from the on-site boat ramp, or enjoy swimming at one of the property's designated beaches. You can purchase bait and tackle at the camp store, and a full-service fuel dock makes it easy to gas up your boat. In addition to its nine-unit motel, the facility provides full-hookup tent and RV sites, a shower house and a fish-cleaning station.
Three Rivers State Park (floridastateparks.org) is so named because it lies at the junction of the Chattahoochee River and Flint River, two waterways that merge to form the Apalachicola River and Lake Seminole. Two miles north of Sneads, the 683-acre park is heavily forested and filled with wildlife, but its frontage on Lake Seminole is its real attraction. Licensed anglers can cast lines for catfish, bluegill and bass from the facility's fishing pier, or rent a boat from nearby marinas. Hikers can trek the two-mile nature trail loop that follows the lake shore -- where visitors can catch glimpses of gators and snapping turtles. A few rental cabins and 30 shady RV and tent sites have partial hookups, picnic tables, fire rings and grills. Open all year, the park contains restrooms, showers, a boat ramp and dump station.
Five miles from Sneads in the town of Chattahoochee, year-round Chattahoochee RV Campground and Fishing Resort (cityofchattahoochee.com) offers cabin rentals and full-hookup RV and tent sites along the banks of the scenic Apalachicola River. Recreational amenities focus around the river, where a fishing pier, two boat ramps and prime fishing spots make the campground a mecca for licensed anglers. A large fishing pond and two smaller spring-fed catfish ponds represent bonuses for the rod-and-reel crowd. When the weather is inclement, play a game of cards in the clubhouse or enjoy a hot shower in the bath house. A dump station and laundry are at your disposal, and pets are permitted.
For campers who prefer a less hardy experience, year-round Arrowhead Campsites (floridaparks.com) in Marianna is located less than 19 miles from Sneads. The campground sits on a hill overlooking the main road in town, and the majority of the facility's 245 sites sit on a slope. Most of the sites are pull-throughs, allowing easy parking for RV drivers. Full or partial hookups, cable TV, restrooms, showers, a laundry, camp store and dump station are available at this tree-lined property. Mill Pond, a large spring-fed lake, borders the campground, providing anglers with plenty of fishing and boating opportunities. Kid-centric amenities include a playground, game room and swimming pool. The site also features a boat ramp, docks, canoe rentals and five cabins.
