If you talk to a true Floridian, they will tell you one of the biggest benefits of living in the state is the incredible range of wildlife and the impressive nature that can be found at a variety of state parks in Florida. Nature in Florida is in abundance, which creates plenty of opportunities to explore and indulge. Florida has over 160 state parks, all with their very own unique set of adventures and amenities. Below, you’ll find some of the best state parks and nature parks in Florida, which will be perfect for a weekend away.

1. Little Manatee River State Park
Little Manatee River State Park, 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA
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Located not far from Tampa, Little Manatee isn't just the state park with the cutest name ever, it's a real hidden treasure. The Little Manatee River is a designated Outstanding Florida Water and flows for nearly five miles through rare and varied ecosystems. This one's a must-see for the nature nerds out there.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL, 33598
2. Torreya State Park
Torreya State Park, 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
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Challenging trails, high bluffs, and the extremely rare Torreya tree can be found here. Some of these scenic vistas just cannot be missed.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL, 32321
3. Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
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This park in St. Augustine is perfect for fishing and canoeing, and a great addition to any trip to the historic city.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080
4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, USA
Flickr/Doug Kerr
This secluded beach is a great place to explore Florida's wildlife, take a nature walk, or go kayaking. This is seclusion and solitude at its finest.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL, 33408
5. Blue Spring State Park
State Street, State St, Sherman, MS 38869, USA
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At Blue Spring State Park, not only is the water a beautiful bright blue, endangered manatees are actually present in large numbers. Maybe it's because I've lived here so long, but I think they are adorable!
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL, 32763
6. Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park, Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, USA
Flickr/Karen Parker for Florida Fish and Wildlife
This park provides access to the only air-filled caves open to the public in Florida. The park also offers bicycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Head deep into the depths of the Earth in this contender for one of the best state parks in Florida.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, 32446
7. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
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At Devil's Millhopper Geological park you'll find a spectacularly unexpected rainforest that is tucked inside nature. Hike the out-and-back trail, or take a trip to see the giant sinkhole that has made this park popular.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32653
8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA
Flickr/Karen Parker for Florida Fish and Wildlife
This beautiful park and National Natural Landmark offers snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving in crystal clear waters, but the most popular activity is tubing down the river.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL, 32038
9. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy, FL, USA
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Florida's first state park and a National Natural Landmark, Paynes Prairie should not be missed. Where else are you going to catch a glimpse of alligators, bison, and wild horses?
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL, 32667
10. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
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This beautiful park near Palm Coast has incredible formal gardens and a completely natural barrier island.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL, 32137
11. Weeki Wachee State Park
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Kayak Rentals, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Flickr/ellen jo roberts
Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its waterpark and boat rides.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL, 34606
12. Withlacoochee State Forest
Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida 33597, USA
TripAdvisor Ben_theretoo406
Named one of the "10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America" by the World Wildlife Fund, Withlacoochee (located in western-central Florida) offers camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and seasonal fishing and hunting.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL, 34601
13. Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest, Florida 32179, USA
Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife
The Big Scrub is 360,000 acres of hiking heaven. Ocala’s 75-mile section of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail is widely considered one of the best and most beautiful. Here you'll find bountiful hills, ponds, pine forest, and boardwalks through cypress and gum swamps.
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: SR 19 Astor, FL, 32179

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14. Bulow Creek State Park
Bulow Creek State Park, 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USA
Flickr/Tadson Bussey
This park near Ormond Beach is home to some of the largest and oldest live oaks in Florida. The star is the Fairchild Oak, which is over 400 years old and one of the largest live oaks in the South.
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174
15. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137, USA
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Forested swamp featuring diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears. Also the home of the legendary ghost orchid.
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL, 34137
16. Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island
Big Talbot Island State Park, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
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Big Talbot Island State Park is a beautiful preserve that offers a unique glimpse into nature. You’ll want to bring your binoculars and your camera for this visit because this area is flush with rare birds and beautiful photo opportunities.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, 32226
17. Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs, FL 32327, USA
Flickr/Paul Clark
These springs were once the home to prehistoric humans, and they still attract us today for their beauty. Take a swim, take a hike, just kick back and relax in nature here.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL, 32327
18. Bahia Honda Key State Park
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida 33043, USA
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Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys looks like a real-life paradise. It has some of the best beaches and snorkeling in the state, and it also offers fishing, kayaking, and camping.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL, 33043
19. Crystal River Preserve State Park
Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
Flickr/psyberartist
Crystal River not only has some of the clearest water in Florida, it is also the only place you can legally swim up close with endangered manatees. Many say this is one of the best state parks in Florida.
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL, 34428
20. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Flickr/Ines Hegedus-Garcia
This park on Key Biscayne is home to the Cape Florida Light (the oldest standing structure in Miami), was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and has one of the best beaches in the country.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
21. Caladesi Island
Caladesi Island, Dunedin, FL 33767, USA
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Caladesi Island is one of the best beaches in the country and one of the few in Florida that have been kept completely natural.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL, 34698
22. Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park, FT De Soto Park, Florida 33715, USA
Flickr/Pinellas County
Fort De Soto consists of five offshore keys near St. Petersburg, Florida. The park is steeped in history, attracting Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and soldiers in the Civil War History aside, visitors should not forget the park's celebrated beaches.
Read all about this Florida state park.
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33715
23. Ravine Gardens State Park
Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
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This lovely park is part manicured order and part wild unfettered nature. It's a nice place to bring a book and spend time in the sunshine.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL, 32177
24. St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrew State Park Pier, Panama City, FL 32408, USA
Flickr/Caleb Feese
This 1,200-acre park three miles east of Panama City Beach is yet another beach in Florida that has been named the most beautiful beach in the country. The park features camping, scuba diving, snorkeling, biking, and tons of wildlife viewing. It's a very popular spot so reservations through the park are recommended for campers.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL, 32408
25. Big Shoals State Park
Big Shoals State Park, Southeast Co Road 135, White Springs, FL, USA
Flickr/B A Bowen Photography
Big Shoals is located approximately a mile east of White Springs, FL, and home to the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. If thrill-seekers come at the right time, they can kayak down the Suwanee in class III whitewater rapids. It's also a beautiful spot just for hiking.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL, 32096
26. De Leon Springs State Park
De León Springs State Park, 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130, USA
Flickr/John Wood
This park is perfect for swimming and canoeing, and it's home to a pancake house with a DIY twist: a griddle in every table allows patrons to flip their own flapjacks. Pancakes and nature? Sounds like easily one of the best state parks in Florida.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL, 32130
27. Falling Waters State Park
Falling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
Flickr/Scott Ball for Florida Fish and Wildlife
Some say this is one of the best state parks in Florida simply because of the waterfall. Falling Waters near Chipley, FL, is home to the tallest waterfall (and one of very few, period) in the state of Florida. It can be quite impressive after a heavy rain, as the water rushes down 73 feet of limestone into a huge sinkhole.
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL, 32428

What do you think? Do you think these are the best state parks in Florida? Make sure to sound off in the comments section. Or if we happened to miss any state parks that you think deserve recognition, we’d love to hear from you!

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