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.

1. Little Manatee River State Park

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

2. Torreya State Park

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

3. Anastasia State Park

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

4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

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

5. Blue Spring State Park

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

6. Florida Caverns State Park

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

7. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

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

8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park

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

9. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

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

10. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

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

11. Weeki Wachee State Park

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

12. Withlacoochee State Forest

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

13. Ocala National Forest

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

14. Bulow Creek State Park

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

15. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

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

16. Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island

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

17. Wakulla Springs State Park

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

18. Bahia Honda Key State Park

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

19. Crystal River Preserve State Park

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

20. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

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

21. Caladesi Island

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

22. Fort De Soto Park

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

23. Ravine Gardens State Park

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

24. St. Andrews State Park

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

25. Big Shoals State Park

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

26. De Leon Springs State Park

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

27. Falling Waters State Park

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

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!