Destinations
Florida outdoors
Florida pairs warm-water reefs and remote island forts with crystal springs and the vast River of Grass.
The outdoors in Florida
Florida rewards the patient walker and the curious paddler more than the peak bagger. This is flat, low country, so the payoff here is water and wildlife: crystal-clear springs that stay 72F year round, slow tannic rivers, mangrove tunnels, hardwood hammocks, and a wetland so big it reads like a sea of grass. You can snorkel a living coral reef, paddle out to a 19th-century fort surrounded by open ocean, and hike a boardwalk where alligators and crocodiles share the same water, all in one state.
For the big-name nature, the southern tip carries the federal sites: the River of Grass wetland, the mostly-underwater reef park off Homestead, and the remote island fort 70 miles west of Key West (reachable only by boat or seaplane). But Florida's state parks are the everyday heroes. Wekiwa Springs near Orlando is an easy swim-and-paddle reset from the theme parks. The Ocala area, with the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi, strings together spring after spring that glow like they are lit from below. The Panhandle and Gulf coast add sugar-sand beaches and pine flatwoods, while central Florida hides quiet trails and clear-water runs.
Timing matters more here than almost anywhere. South Florida runs two seasons: a wet, buggy, humid summer (roughly May through October, with afternoon thunderstorms and heat in the 90s F) and a dry season (about December through April) that is the real window. In the dry months, temperatures sit in a comfortable low 50s to upper 70s F range, humidity drops, mosquitoes thin out, and wildlife crowds the shrinking water holes where you can actually see it. Ranger programs and guided tours run full schedule then too.
What to pack reflects the climate, not the terrain. You are dressing for sun, water, and bugs rather than altitude or cold. Think breathable sun-protective layers, a wide-brim hat, polarized sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, and serious insect protection (the bugs are real even in the dry season at dawn and dusk). Quick-dry footwear that you do not mind getting wet beats stiff boots, and a dry bag plus plenty of water rounds out almost any Florida day outdoors.
State park reservations
Florida booking basics
Winter, springs, and Keys parks can be more competitive than the map suggests. Book early and verify storm closures.
Booking note
Florida routes camping and cabin reservations through the official state parks reservation information page.
Agency
Florida State Parks
State park directory
Florida state park system places
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has imagery, camping detail, rules, and packing notes.
173 directory entries
1 full guides live
- Official page
Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park
Historic State Park
The Addison Blockhouse, a small picturesque coquina rock ruin, is located on what was once an 18th-century plantation built by John Moultrie.
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Alafia River State Park
State Park
A reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most radical elevation changes in the state, attracting mountain bikers from around the world to its mountain bike trails.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Nature Trails
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
State Park
A masterpiece of floral architecture, the gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden, and hundreds of camellias and azaleas.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
State Park
Located along the Lake Wales Ridge, this preserve covers more than 8,000 acres of scrub, sandhill and flatwoods in addition to 65 acres of submerged land.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Amelia Island State Park
State Park
An easy drive from Jacksonville or Fernandina Beach, the park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness, beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests along the southern tip of Amelia Island.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Anastasia State Park
State Park
Abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems can be enjoyed within 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes and nature trails, plus ancient sand dunes and a historic coquina quarry.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
State Park
Located three miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs, this unspoiled barrier island is accessible only by private boat or ferry and is known for its historic lighthouse.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park
State Park
Atlantic Ridge Preserve is a landscape of sabal palms, live oak and wild coffee that provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Avalon State Park
State Park
Avalon has more than a mile of increasingly rare undeveloped beachfront that provides habitat for many species of wildlife, ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and anglers.
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Full guide
Bahia Honda State Park
State Park
An island in the Florida Keys offering connection to nature, history and recreation, including a walk on the historic Old Bahia Honda Bridge trail.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Cabins
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Bald Point State Park
State Park
Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, with facilities including a fishing dock and picnic pavilions.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Big Lagoon State Park
State Park
This park offers opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, stand-up paddleboard and canoe, with 704 upland acres separating the mainland from Perdido Key.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- RV Camping
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Big Shoals State Park
State Park
Big Shoals features the largest whitewater rapids in Florida, with limestone bluffs towering 80 feet above the banks of the Suwannee River.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Big Talbot Island State Park
State Park
Located on one of Northeast Florida's unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island is primarily a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching and photography.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
State Park
Just minutes from downtown Miami on the tip of Key Biscayne, the park offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay from atop its historic 1825 lighthouse.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Blackwater Heritage State Trail
State Trail
The westernmost state rail-trail winds through the historic town of Milton and extends 8.1 miles north to join the U.S. Navy's Military Heritage Trail.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Blackwater River State Park
State Park
Set on one of the most pristine rivers in the nation, this 600-acre park offers sandy bottoms, white beaches and large sandbars contrasting the dark tannic water.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- RV Camping
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Blue Spring State Park
State Park
Hundreds of manatees make this park their winter home, and the refreshing 72-degree spring waters greet visitors at this gem along the St. Johns River.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Cabins
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Bulow Creek State Park
State Park
Bulow Creek protects nearly 5,600 acres, including the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the South.
- Biking
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Historic State Park
The 150 acres of Bulow Plantation Ruins stand as a monument to the rise and fall of sugar plantations in East Florida, swept away during the Second Seminole War in 1836.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Caladesi Island State Park
State Park
One of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island is accessible only by boat and offers pristine beaches and shore fishing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Camp Helen State Park
State Park
Bordered by the Gulf on three sides and by Lake Powell, the park lets visitors explore an environment rich in natural and cultural resources and one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Cayo Costa State Park
State Park
Cayo Costa offers 9 miles of untouched beaches accessible only by boat, a prime spot for fishing, snorkeling and beachcombing across 2,436 acres.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Cedar Key Museum State Park
State Park
Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, the museum depicts the area's history and features seashells and artifacts collected by St. Clair Whitman.
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
Show 149 more Florida entries
- Official page
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
State park system area
Gulf salt marshes give way to scrubby flatwoods, the rare Florida scrub and its special plants and wildlife.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
State Park
Charlotte Harbor Preserve protects five state aquatic preserves across 45,507 acres and more than 100 miles of the Charlotte Harbor shoreline.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
State Park
Cockroach Bay Preserve is a series of islands in the southeastern region of Tampa Bay, located in the mouth of the Little Manatee River.
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Collier-Seminole State Park
State Park
Collier-Seminole lies within one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world, home to imperiled species in an unusual blend of temperate and tropical native plant communities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Colt Creek State Park
State Park
This vast Central Florida park spans more than 5,000 acres of forests, lakes and natural communities, with several kinds of camping including equestrian and group campgrounds.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- RV Camping
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
State Park
This museum highlights life in a 19th-century Florida boomtown, where legislators met to draft the state's first constitution.
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
State Park
Explore a complex of Native American mounds and get a glimpse into Florida's past at this six-mound pre-Columbian site.
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Crystal River Preserve State Park
State Park
One of Florida's most productive and biologically diverse estuaries, where freshwater mixes with the saltwater of the Gulf along 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Curry Hammock State Park
State Park
Halfway between Key Largo and Key West, the 1,000-acre Curry Hammock is striking in its seclusion along a stretch of the Keys known for development.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- RV Camping
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Visitors drawn to Dade Battlefield for its history discover ancient oaks and verdant pine flatwoods, plus events, programs and craft classes throughout the year.
- Biking
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
State Park
Once slated to become a condominium development, this park contains one of the largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the United States.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
De Leon Springs State Park
State Park
De Leon Springs offers a recreational swimming area and a fascinating history spanning more than 6,000 years, set around crystal springs.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Deer Lake State Park
State Park
Deer Lake offers a pristine beach and lush landscape, with coastal dune lakes that are extremely rare worldwide and occur only along the Gulf Coast in the United States.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
State Park
This popular destination boasts one of the most pristine stretches of beaches, with peaceful Gulf views and many shorebirds and wildlife gathering here.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
State Park
This National Natural Landmark contains a miniature rainforest with gentle streams trickling down the sinkhole's 120-foot limestone walls.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Don Pedro Island State Park
State Park
A short boat ride off Florida's southwest coast, Don Pedro Island sits between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island and is accessible only by private boat.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
State Park
On a barrier island fronting historic Apalachicola Bay, the park offers spectacular views of crystal waters, blue skies and sugary beaches.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- RV Camping
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
State Park
This last example of a natural coastal beach community in Broward County offers an escape from city life and protection for endangered plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this authentic working farm lets visitors learn about the evolution of Florida farming and see heirloom roses bloom.
- Hiking
- Geocaching
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Dunns Creek State Park
State Park
Located south of a sharp bend in the St. Johns River, more than 6,200 acres of natural communities allow wildlife to thrive in stunning habitats.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Econfina River State Park
State Park
The Econfina River meanders through pine flatwoods and oak-palm forests to broad expanses of salt marsh dotted with pine islands.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Eden Gardens State Park
State Park
The Florida Panhandle is home to a stately mansion surrounded by vibrant gardens at this 163-acre park, part of the historic Wesley homestead.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
State Park
Home to one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water boasts manatees, alligators and diverse wildlife viewed from a riverboat or diving platform.
- Biking
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Egmont Key State Park
State Park
This secluded island at the mouth of Tampa Bay holds rich American history and stunning natural beauty, serving primarily as a wildlife refuge with pristine beaches.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
State Park
Visitors are immersed in the world of the springs, with the endangered Florida panther, red wolves, manatees, whooping cranes, black bears, bobcats and alligators.
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
State Park
Estero Bay Preserve includes 11,381 acres of undeveloped conservation land that buffers the water, inlets and islands along 10 miles of Estero Bay.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
State Park
The largest state park in Florida is home to a variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the continental United States.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Falling Waters State Park
State Park
Huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes line the boardwalk leading to Florida's highest waterfall, which drops 73 feet into a 100-foot-deep cylindrical pit.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fanning Springs State Park
State Park
Enjoy stunning blue-green spring waters under ancient oaks on the historic Suwannee River, a source of cool, clear water that has attracted people for thousands of years.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Cabins
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Faver-Dykes State Park
State Park
Faver-Dykes offers canoeing, fishing, hiking and camping along Pellicer Creek, conveniently located on the outskirts of St. Augustine.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- RV Camping
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Formerly the site of a historic Spanish fort, this grassy park offers stunning river views in a charming coastal village.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Florida Caverns State Park
State Park
One of Florida's first state parks, Florida Caverns offers visitors the opportunity to go underground and tour a large limestone cave system with spectacular formations.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Geocaching
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- RV Camping
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
State Trail
The trail features more than 90 linear miles of existing trail paved in segments along a planned 106-mile corridor from Key Largo to Key West.
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Forest Capital Museum State Park
State Park
The museum celebrates the heritage of Florida's forest industry, which dates back to the early 1800s.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Clinch State Park
State Park
Nature and history mingle at Fort Clinch, where visitors can explore miles of beaches and trails as well as a Civil War fort on Amelia Island.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Cooper State Park
State Park
Over 700 acres of canopy forests and nature trails offer a spot for relaxing, hiking, studying nature and learning about history.
- Biking
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Nature Trails
- Playground
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Foster State Historic Site
State Historic Site
During the Second Seminole War, Fort Foster defended the bridge crossing at the Hillsborough River and acted as a resupply point for soldiers in the field.
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
State Park
Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the smart set of the 1920s came for vacations in the ornate setting of the Ribault Club.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Mose Historic State Park
Historic State Park
The historic site of a free-slave settlement and a recreation of the original fort, this park preserves both history and natural beauty.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
State Park
The perfect spot for relaxing at the beach, fishing for dinner or exploring the natural coastal beauty of the area.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Few parks of any kind can match both the historical and natural significance of Fort Zachary Taylor, the last stop in Florida before the Gulf.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
State Park
A former WWII gunnery and bombing practice range has been transformed into a stunning natural landscape shaded by longleaf pines, some over 300 years old.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
State Trail
On this historic rail bed turned greenway, visitors pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture along the corridor.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
State park system area
Gamble Rogers is a small park tucked gently between the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, named for the Florida folk singer.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Gasparilla Island State Park
State Park
Separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, this island is part of a chain of Gulf Coast barrier islands.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
State Trail
Designated as a National Recreation Trail, running through the Green Swamp and the headwaters for some of Florida's most popular paddling destinations.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
State Park
This mile-long, pedestrian-only fishing bridge spans Nassau Sound and provides access to one of the best fishing areas in Northeast Florida.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Grayton Beach State Park
State Park
Relaxing on pristine Grayton Beach is the main attraction, but it is only one aspect to this park, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Haw Creek Preserve State Park
State Park
Haw Creek Preserve offers serene paddling opportunities on a pristine blackwater creek through an old Florida cypress swamp that leads to Crescent Lake.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Henderson Beach State Park
State Park
Established to preserve Destin's last genuine stretch of coastal dune scrub, Henderson Beach proves that even small areas of preservation hold abundant natural beauty.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Nature Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Highlands Hammock State Park
State Park
Established in 1931 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this diverse 9,000-acre park is a refuge for endangered animals and ancient flora.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Hillsborough River State Park
State Park
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this diverse park offers a refuge from city life with seven miles of nature trails and rare Class II rapids.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Honeymoon Island State Park
State Park
The white sand beaches and diverse nature trails of Honeymoon Island make this barrier island an ideal place to get away from it all.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Beach
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Hontoon Island State Park
State Park
Enjoy a lush, remote island accessible only by boat and spend a relaxing day hiking, boating, fishing and exploring along the St. Johns River.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
State Park
Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, this peaceful sanctuary offers a slice of coastal wilderness within a vibrant city.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
State Park
Cool off as you drift down the Ichetucknee, a spring-fed river that flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before joining the Santa Fe River.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Indian Key Historic State Park
Historic State Park
The forgotten shores and ancient relics tell of the storied past of this tiny piece of paradise, accessible only by boat.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park
State Park
Located on a barrier island south of Melbourne, this preserve was purchased primarily to protect the watershed of the Indian River Lagoon.
- Picnicking
- Nature Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
State Park
A unique mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forest, this barrier island is a haven for several rare or endangered native plant species.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
John Gorrie Museum State Park
State Park
A fascinating museum is nestled within the historic district of a charming fishing village, honoring a pioneer of air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
State Park
America's first undersea park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the diverse underwater world of the coral reef.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
State Park
Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson, the largest state park in Southeast Florida, on the Loxahatchee River.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
Historic State Park
A stately antebellum plantation home has been preserved and restored for visitors to enjoy, the only surviving plantation house in South Florida.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is a breathtaking expanse of grassland and home to numerous endangered species, honored with a Dark Sky designation.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Koreshan State Park
State Park
Koreshan State Park offers a journey back in time to when a utopian group settled in the Florida frontier, with exhibits and tours.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
State Park
Take a dip in the first-magnitude spring, walk the natural limestone bridge that crosses the spring run, or picnic under the shade of moss-draped oaks.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Griffin State Park
State Park
Camp, hike, fish and explore where wildlife thrives and a 400-year-old live oak stands proud.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
State Park
The park encompasses six ancient Native American temple mounds, with two available for viewing by the public, just north of Tallahassee.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
State Park
This quiet 845-acre preserve protects sand scrub, one of the state's most endangered natural communities, home to the Florida scrub-jay and gopher tortoise.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Kissimmee State Park
State Park
Florida's heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida cow hunters in an 1876-era cow camp on the shores of three lakes.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Louisa State Park
State Park
Thirty minutes outside of Orlando, a natural theme park awaits those with a hearty outdoor spirit, with three major lakes for paddling and more.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Manatee State Park
State Park
Camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking and bird-watching await along three miles of the south shore of beautiful Lake Manatee.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lake Talquin State Park
State Park
Nestled on the bluffs overlooking Lake Talquin's southern shore, this park offers outdoor activities for all ages around a pristine lake.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park
State Park
Visitors to this archaeological site will see Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, built between 1,100 and 1,800 years ago.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
State Park
The virgin tropical hardwood hammock that thrives on this island was once common on most of Florida's Upper Keys.
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Little Manatee River State Park
State Park
Paddle down the beautiful Little Manatee River or hike the vast system of trails along this nearly 40-mile blackwater stream.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Little Talbot Island State Park
State Park
Boasting more than five miles of pristine beaches and three miles of bike trails, Little Talbot offers untouched natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Long Key State Park
State Park
Roughly an hour from mainland Florida, Long Key State Park introduces you to the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife of the Florida Keys.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lovers Key State Park
State Park
Once a collection of secluded barrier islands reachable only by boat, Lovers Key has become a romantic destination for spectacular beachside weddings.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
State Park
Central Florida nature exists in its purest form along four miles of the Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site
State park system area
This ancient Native American site was the first in Florida to be designated a State Archaeological Site, with cultures dating back 2,000 years.
- Picnicking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Madison Blue Spring State Park
State Park
This crystal-clear, first-magnitude spring is a popular spot for swimming and cave diving, set within scenic woodlands of mixed hardwoods and pines.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Manatee Springs State Park
State Park
A sparkling spring run and boardwalk beneath a cypress forest make this a breathtaking destination, frequented by West Indian manatees.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
State park system area
Occupying more than 70,000 acres of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal, the Greenway is a 110-mile linear park hosting nearly 300 miles of trails.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Visitors to this old Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life in the community of Cross Creek that inspired the Pulitzer Prize winning author.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
State Park
Gold Head sits on rolling sandhills on the north central ridge of Florida, with one of the few remaining old-growth stands of longleaf pines.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Mound Key Archaeological State Park
State Park
Framed in forests of mangrove trees, the shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay.
- Hiking
- Paddling
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Myakka River State Park
State Park
The majestic Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of one of Florida's oldest and largest parks, spanning prairies, hammocks, pinelands and wetlands.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Natural Bridge is the site of the second largest Civil War battle in Florida, where the St. Marks River drops into a sinkhole and flows underground.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Nature Coast State Trail
State Trail
An abandoned railway has been transformed into 32 miles of lush trails through several sleepy Florida towns, an excellent way to experience natural North Florida.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
North Peninsula State Park
State Park
Almost three miles of beautiful, unspoiled Florida beach beckon visitors to bask in the sunshine, swim in the Atlantic Ocean or try surf fishing.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
O'Leno State Park
State Park
One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s along a rustic North Florida river.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ochlockonee River State Park
State Park
This park is a great place to get away for a weekend or longer, and the deep, brackish waters of the Ochlockonee River make it an angler's paradise.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Okeechobee Battlefield is the site of one of Florida's significant battles during the Second Seminole War, fought on Christmas Day 1837.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Oleta River State Park
State Park
With 1,043 acres, Oleta River State Park is Florida's largest urban park and a tranquil refuge from the bustling life of the city.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
Historic State Park
This park commemorates the site of Florida's largest Civil War battle, which took place on February 20, 1864, and hosts annual reenactments.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Nature Trails
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Orman House Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Built in 1838 by Thomas Orman, this antebellum home in a coastal village overlooks the Apalachicola River and features a botanical garden.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Oscar Scherer State Park
State Park
An unexpected oasis surrounded by busy urban areas, this park is a refuge for the imperiled Florida scrub-jay and other nesting birds.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail
State Trail
Still in development, this paved, multi-use recreational trail is situated in one of the most picturesque areas of the state.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail
State Trail
This multi-use recreational trail through St. Johns and Putnam counties follows an abandoned railway through stunning landscapes.
- Hiking
- Biking
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Paynes Creek Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Fort Chokonikla was built nearby in 1849 during tensions with Seminole Indians, and today hikers can walk trails through the park's natural areas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
State Park
This Florida treasure boasts herds of wild horses and bison, nearly 300 species of birds, eight trails and a 50-foot observation tower.
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Perdido Key State Park
State Park
White sand beaches and rolling dunes covered with sea oats make this park a favorite destination for swimmers and sunbathers.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
State Park
This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de Leon, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 in search of the fountain of youth.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Price's Scrub State Park
State Park
Price's Scrub State Park was purchased to preserve a biodiversity hotspot and provides visitors with a soothing green respite from everyday life.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
State Park
East of Jacksonville's skyscrapers and west of the beaches, this park protects one of the largest contiguous areas of coastal uplands in Duval County.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Rainbow Springs State Park
State Park
From wading in the crystalline headwaters to canoeing, kayaking and tubing down river, visitors enjoy a priceless jewel in the Florida park system.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ravine Gardens State Park
State Park
Two ancient ravines up to 120 feet deep, carved by a spring-fed creek, have been transformed into a rustic tropical garden.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
River Rise Preserve State Park
State Park
The Santa Fe River goes underground in O'Leno State Park and reemerges over three miles away here before resuming its journey to the Suwannee River.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
State park system area
Visitors enjoy bicycling, hiking or horseback riding along 17 miles of trails, with primitive campsites accessible by canoe only.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
State Park
The turquoise waters of Florida's 175th state park offer a collection of scenic springs, the largest flowing out to a clear run that meanders to the Santa Fe River.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
State Park
A mature hardwood forest is a unique natural feature of this scenic preserve, known for outstanding bird-watching and the area's best off-road biking.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
Historic State Park
The museum at the park displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort, with interpretive displays explaining the history of the San Marcos site.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
State Park
The San Pedro was a 287-ton, Dutch-built ship that sank in a hurricane on July 13, 1733, its remains discovered in 1960 in Hawk Channel near Indian Key.
- Swimming
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Savannas Preserve State Park
State Park
Located on Florida's southeast coast, the park's scenic landscapes represent what the first pioneers would have seen in the area.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Seabranch Preserve State Park
State Park
Ancient oceans shaped this park, allowing visitors to see rare sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, a baygall community and a mangrove swamp in less than a mile.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Sebastian Inlet State Park
State Park
Whether riding the waves, strolling the shores or fishing from the jetties, beach lovers will find their paradise at Sebastian Inlet State Park.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Shoal River Headwaters Preserve State Park
State Park
Florida's newest state park features creeks flowing through shallow ravines that form the Shoal River just downstream.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Silver Springs State Park
State Park
One of America's largest springs is protected here, where glass bottom boats were invented and still provide an ideal vantage point for enjoying the first-magnitude spring.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
State Park
When the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built over Tampa Bay, the old bridge was turned into the world's longest fishing pier.
- Fishing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
St. Andrews State Park
State Park
With the Gulf on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other, this former military reservation has over 1.5 miles of sugar white beaches for swimming, snorkeling and surfing.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
State Park
Accessible only by boat, a quick ride brings you to pristine beaches, lush mangroves and an offshore reef, with a boardwalk crossing to a preserved Atlantic beach.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
State Park
Vast open grassy forests of longleaf pines hold miles of trails to walk, jog, bike or ride on horseback across 22 unique Florida natural communities.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
State Park
On the banks of the Suwannee River, this center honors composer Stephen Foster, who wrote Old Folks at Home, the song that made the river famous.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Stump Pass Beach State Park
State Park
At the southwest corner of Charlotte County, a mile of beach where seashells and shark teeth wash up draws visitors for year-round swimming and sunbathing.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Suwannee River State Park
State Park
This historical intersection reveals itself where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers meet, best experienced on foot or by canoe.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
State Park
Stretching 20 miles into the Gulf, St. Joseph Peninsula is a wildlife haven whose powdery beaches and salt marshes are nesting grounds for sea turtles and shore birds.
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
State Trail
This historic railroad corridor once carried cotton to the coast, and the trail now runs 16 miles from the capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
State Park
At over 4,000 acres, this preserve is home to four species of endangered pitcher plants, with wet-prairie landscapes surrounding a picturesque coastal bayou.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
State Park
This park's 2,000 acres encompass mangrove forests, freshwater and saltwater wetlands and uplands communities in various stages of habitat restoration.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Historic State Park
Built in 1891, The Barnacle offers a glimpse of frontier life during the Era of the Bay, when all travel to and from Miami was by boat.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Three Rivers State Park
State Park
Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Tomoka State Park
State Park
Native Americans once had dwellings here, living off fish-filled lagoons, and today these waters are popular for canoeing, boating and fishing.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
State Park
Named for tall dunes rising above the emerald gulf like a ship's sail, this park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Torreya State Park
State Park
High bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya one of Florida's most scenic places, named for an extremely rare Torreya tree that grows only on these bluffs.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Troy Spring State Park
State Park
This 70-foot deep, first-magnitude spring offers swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, with picnic tables, a nature trail and a riverside dock for paddlers and boaters.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
State Park
Accessible only by boat, this preserve is a favorite of anglers and wildlife watchers, protecting a remnant of the Gulf Hammock between the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
State Park
Formal gardens of azaleas, camellias and bird of paradise are the centerpiece, and the park is famous for unique coquina rock formations along its Atlantic beach.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
State Park
An iconic roadside attraction and natural wonder, this Old Florida site offers the classic mermaid show and is home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country.
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Boating
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Wekiwa Springs State Park
State Park
With emerald springs feeding the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, this park just minutes from Orlando offers miles of trails for foot, bike or horseback.
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
State Park
The Salt Spring looks small but is an amazing 351 feet deep, and gray fox, gopher tortoises and dolphins inhabit this park and its waters.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park
State Park
Cave divers travel worldwide to explore nearly 33,000 feet of surveyed underwater passages here, one of the longest underwater cave systems in the continental United States.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
State Park
Formed of Key Largo limestone, this land was sold to the Florida East Coast Railroad, which used the fossilized coral to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Wingate Creek State Park
State Park
Creeks converge, trails crisscross and wildlife abounds in rugged Wingate Creek State Park, where human occupation goes back thousands of years.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Withlacoochee State Trail
State Trail
At 47 miles, this is one of the longest paved rail-trails in Florida, a flat path traveling through small towns, agricultural lands and unique habitats.
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Ybor City Museum State Park
State Park
Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to an area of pine scrub and swamp to build the Cigar Capital of the World, and this urban park preserves Ybor City's cultural heritage.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
Historic State Park
This site was an important military position during the Civil War, allowing access to the inland areas of Florida's east coast.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park
State Park
The preserve protects one of Florida's last remaining tracts of wet prairie, including the largest community of pitcher plants in the state.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida State Parks
- Official page
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
Historic State Park
This site was once part of a sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee, who served in the U.S. House and Senate after Florida statehood.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Florida State Parks
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Curated states also use official agency directories where available. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links above before committing to dates.
National parks in Florida
Biscayne
A national park that is 95% water: snorkel coral reefs, paddle mangroves, and reach the islands by boat off Miami.
Dry Tortugas
A 70-mile boat or seaplane ride west of Key West to a Civil War fort ringed by coral reefs and turquoise water.
Everglades
A 1.5-million-acre subtropical wetland where you paddle and walk among alligators, wading birds, and sawgrass.
State parks in Florida
State-park guides focus on the decisions that usually make or break the weekend: camping reservations, day-use access, trail difficulty, and seasonal crowd pressure.
Getting around Florida
Getting around
Florida is well served by air, with four big hubs spreading you across the state. Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale put you closest to the southern parks and the Keys. Orlando (MCO) is the natural base for central Florida springs and the Ocala area. Tampa (TPA) covers the Gulf coast and west-central springs, and Jacksonville (JAX) anchors the northeast and the route toward the Panhandle.
You will want a car. Public transit does not reach the wild places, and the good stuff is spread out. The drives are flat and easy but longer than the map suggests. From Miami, the southern wetland is roughly an hour to its eastern gateway and about two hours to the western (Everglades City) side. Crossing the peninsula from Tampa to Miami runs about four hours via I-75 (Alligator Alley). Miami to Orlando is around three and a half to four hours up the turnpike, and Orlando to the southern parks is a solid four hours or more.
Central and north Florida are tighter: Tampa to Orlando is about 90 minutes, and Orlando to the Ocala springs region is around an hour and a half. The remote island fort west of Key West is a category of its own: drive the Overseas Highway to Key West (roughly three and a half to four hours from Miami), then book the ferry or seaplane, since there is no other way in. One local trick worth knowing: start long drives early, between 6 and 8 AM, to beat both commuter traffic and the afternoon heat and storms.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Florida's parks?
The dry season, roughly December through April, is the sweet spot, especially for South Florida and the Everglades. Temperatures sit in a comfortable low 50s to upper 70s F range, humidity and mosquitoes drop, and wildlife gathers around shrinking water holes where it is easy to spot. Summer (May through October) is hot, humid, and buggy with daily afternoon storms, so save it for the spring-fed parks where you can stay in 72F water.
What is the best national park in Florida?
It depends on how you like to spend a day outdoors. The vast River of Grass wetland in the south is the most accessible and wildlife-rich, with boardwalks, paddling, and ranger programs that shine in the dry season. The mostly-underwater reef park off Homestead is the pick for snorkeling and boating, while the remote island fort 70 miles west of Key West (boat or seaplane only) is the most unforgettable if you want adventure and history together.
Do I need a car to explore Florida's outdoors?
Yes, for almost everything outside the city centers. The springs, state parks, and wetland gateways are spread out and not reachable by public transit. Fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale for the south, Orlando or Tampa for central Florida springs, and Jacksonville for the northeast, then rent a car. The one exception is the remote island fort west of Key West, which you reach by ferry or seaplane after driving to Key West.