27 Amazing State Parks in Florida That Show Off The State’s Natural Beauty
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.
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.
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Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL, 33598
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL, 33598
Little Manatee River State Park, 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA
Challenging trails, high bluffs, and the extremely rare Torreya tree can be found here. Some of these scenic vistas just cannot be missed.
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Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL, 32321
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Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL, 32321
Torreya State Park, 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
This park in St. Augustine is perfect for fishing and canoeing, and a great addition to any trip to the historic city.
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Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080
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Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080
Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
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.
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Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL, 33408
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Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL, 33408
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, USA
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!
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Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL, 32763
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Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL, 32763
State Street, State St, Sherman, MS 38869, USA
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.
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Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, 32446
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Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, 32446
Florida Caverns State Park, Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, USA
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.
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Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32653
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Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32653
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
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.
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Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL, 32038
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Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL, 32038
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA
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?
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Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL, 32667
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Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL, 32667
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy, FL, USA
This beautiful park near Palm Coast has incredible formal gardens and a completely natural barrier island.
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Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL, 32137
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Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL, 32137
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its waterpark and boat rides.
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Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL, 34606
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Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL, 34606
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Kayak Rentals, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
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.
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Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL, 34601
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Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL, 34601
Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida 33597, USA
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.
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Address: SR 19 Astor, FL, 32179
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Address: SR 19 Astor, FL, 32179
Ocala National Forest, Florida 32179, USA
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.
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Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174
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Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174
Bulow Creek State Park, 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USA
Forested swamp featuring diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears. Also the home of the legendary ghost orchid.
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Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL, 34137
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL, 34137
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137, USA
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.
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Address: A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, 32226
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Address: A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, 32226
Big Talbot Island State Park, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
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.
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Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL, 32327
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Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL, 32327
Wakulla Springs, FL 32327, USA
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.
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Address: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL, 33043
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Address: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL, 33043
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida 33043, USA
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.
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Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL, 34428
Read more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL, 34428
Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
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.
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Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
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Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Caladesi Island is one of the best beaches in the country and one of the few in Florida that have been kept completely natural.
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Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL, 34698
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Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL, 34698
Caladesi Island, Dunedin, FL 33767, USA
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.
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Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33715
Read all about this Florida state park.
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33715
Fort De Soto Park, FT De Soto Park, Florida 33715, USA
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.
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Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL, 32177
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Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL, 32177
Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
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.
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Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL, 32408
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Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL, 32408
St. Andrew State Park Pier, Panama City, FL 32408, USA
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.
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Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL, 32096
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Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL, 32096
Big Shoals State Park, Southeast Co Road 135, White Springs, FL, USA
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.
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Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL, 32130
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Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL, 32130
De León Springs State Park, 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130, USA
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.
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Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL, 32428
Check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL, 32428
Falling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
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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Best State Parks In Florida
November 02, 2020
What are the most well-known parks in Florida?
There are quite a few scenic parks in Florida that are worth exploring, many of them mentioned in the list above. For instance, Madison Blue Springs State Park is an extremely well-known state park, especially due to the clear blue water and crystal kayaking trails. Another well-known park in Florida that isn’t nature-related is Disney World! Disney World draws in millions of visitors every year and is likely THE most popular park in the state.
What is the most scenic outdoor adventure in Florida?
Looking to tackle a few outdoor adventures in Florida? You’ve come to the right place. Florida is flush with opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful year-round temperatures and stunning scenery. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out these 16 perfect places to explore the outdoors in Florida.
What's the most beautiful hike in Florida?
Hiking in Florida is a coveted hobby for many residents. Once you tackle your first trail, you’ll know exactly why. While choosing the most beautiful hiking trail is pretty subjective, we have a list that includes not one, but 16 different trails to choose from. Take a look at these 16 out-of-this-world hiking spots in Florida.
