Posted in Florida Nature October 29, 2020 by

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 Florida is the incredible wildlife and the impressive outdoor scene. 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 in Florida, which will be perfect for a weekend away.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
1. Little Manatee River State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598
2. Torreya State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321
3. Anastasia State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
5. Blue Spring State Park
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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!
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763
6. Florida Caverns State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446
7. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653
8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
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.
Click here to 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
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?
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667
10. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
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This beautiful park near Palm Coast has incredible formal gardens and a completely natural barrier island.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137
11. Weeki Wachee State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
12. Withlacoochee State Forest
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601
13. Ocala National Forest
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: SR 19 Astor, FL 32179
14. Bulow Creek State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
15. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Forested swamp featuring diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears. Also the home of the legendary ghost orchid.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137
16. Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: A1A North, Jacksonville, FL 32226
17. Wakulla Springs State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327
18. Bahia Honda Key State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL 33043
19. Crystal River Preserve State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
20. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
21. Caladesi Island
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
22. Fort De Soto Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715
23. Ravine Gardens State Park
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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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177
24. St. Andrews State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL 32408
25. Big Shoals State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL 32096
26. De Leon Springs State Park
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.
Click here to check out more about this Florida state park.
Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130
27. Falling Waters State Park
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.
Click here to 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!

Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA
Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, USA
Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, USA
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446, USA
Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
Address: Fort White, FL 32038, USA
Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667, USA
Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601, USA
Address: Ocala National Forest, Florida 32179, USA
Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USA
Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137, USA
Address: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327, USA
Address: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, USA
Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698, USA
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715, USA
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL 32408, USA
Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL 32096, USA
Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130, USA
Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Best State Parks In Florida

November 02, 2020
Marisa Roman

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.

Address: 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA
Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, USA
Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, USA
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446, USA
Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
Address: Fort White, FL 32038, USA
Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667, USA
Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Address: 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601, USA
Address: Ocala National Forest, Florida 32179, USA
Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USA
Address: 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137, USA
Address: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327, USA
Address: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, USA
Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698, USA
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715, USA
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL 32408, USA
Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL 32096, USA
Address: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130, USA
Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA