Florida is the flattest state in the country, so most visitors wouldn’t normally assume that we would have any waterfalls at all. The truth is, you don’t have to leave the Sunshine State to find a waterfall, and if you time your visit properly, you can see really beautiful ones. While hiking trails with waterfalls in Florida might not be everywhere you turn, there are quite a few that are worth checking out for a dose of natural beauty. Here they are in no particular order…

1. Falling Waters State Park, Chipley, FL
Falling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
LuizCent/Wikimedia Commons
This 171-acre park features the tallest waterfall in the state by far, at over 70 feet tall. Indian warriors used the sinkholes as hideouts in the Seminole War. Visitors today will enjoy fishing, swimming, and hiking, and end the day gathered around their famous campfires. For a more impressive visit, come after heavy rainfall. Visit the Florida State Parks website to learn more.
2. Big Shoals State Park, White Springs, FL
11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL 32096, USA
Flickr/B A Bowen Photography
At the right time of year, this park can offer real whitewater rafting, but it offers 28 miles of beautiful trails and huge limestone bluffs to look out on the water year-round. Visit the Florida State Parks website to learn more about waterfalls hikes here.
3. Falling Creek Falls, Lake City, FL
953 NW Falling Creek Rd, Lake City, FL 32055, USA
Flickr/Dorothy Finley
Picnic tables, a boardwalk trail, and a playground make this 10-foot waterfall over limestone especially fun for visitors with kids. Enjoy the surrounding area too, which is overflowing with natural beauty. Visit the Florida Hikes website for more on one of the best waterfall hikes in Florida.

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4. Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainesville, FL
4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
Flickr/Christopher Sessums
This park offers a very unique experience. Visitors walking down into the giant 500-foot-wide sinkhole can spot the water trickling down the limestone walls. Visit the Florida State Parks website for more information on one of the most amazing waterfalls in Florida.
5. Camp Branch Conservation Area, White Springs, FL
Camp Branch Conservation Area, Live Oak, FL 32060, USA
floridahikes.com
This Disappearing Creek can produce rapids that bend around cypress trees or not much at all. As with Falling Waters State Park, it's important to plan your visit after heavy rain. Visit the Florida Hikes website to learn more.
6. Steinhatchee Falls, Steinhatchee, FL
Steinhatchee, FL 32359, USA
Flickr/Adam Skowronski
Though these falls are only a few feet tall, they are the widest in Florida, and a popular spot for camping, fishing, canoeing, and very cautious swimming. As with a lot of trails in Florida, children should be well supervised, as this area can have dangerous wildlife and rocky spots. Visit the Florida Hikes website to learn more about one of the most beautiful hiking trails with waterfalls in Florida.
7. Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon, FL
19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA
Flickr/Bruce Bouley
Though these falls are man-made, we know there will be an outcry if don't include them. Rainbow Springs has been an attraction since the '30s, but it only became state land in the '90s. The waterfalls and phosphate pits are remnants of the mining industry. The water is absolutely beautiful here, and snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, tubing, and even weddings are offered here. Visit the Florida State Parks website to learn more.

How many of these hiking trails with waterfalls in Florida have you visited? Make sure to share them with us in the comments section! Or, if you have other places throughout Florida that are loaded with natural beauty, make sure to include those, too!

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Waterfalls In Florida

Marisa Roman | October 25, 2020

What's the most beautiful hike in Florida?

Waterfall hikes in Florida can be truly rewarding. But the most beautiful hike in Florida may be through the ancient old-growth forest known as Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It is brimming with beauty, between the old trees and the vast opportunities for solitude and reconnecting with nature.

What are the most well-known waterfalls in Florida?

The most well-known waterfall in Florida is the one at Falling Waters State Park. This waterfall is huge and the one that most visitors frequent when they’re looking for a good waterfall hike. Falling Waters is also the tallest waterfall in Florida.

What are the local favorite hiking trails in Florida?

Hiking trails in Florida are everywhere, as long as you know where to look. Whether it’s a state park, a national treasure, or simply in a backyard, hiking in Florida is in abundance. Check out these 7 gorgeous hikes in Florida that everyone should take just to find a few stunning options. Or, these 8 hikes under five miles are also pretty spectacular.

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