4.5Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park(7.065 reviews) - Excellent tour of historic fort Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • State Parks • Beaches
This historic fort has the largest collection of Civil War armaments in the world. Bonus: It's located along a beach that's popular for sunset views.See more..
Check out the living coral reefs around Molasses Reef at the country’s first undersea park. If you're a strong swimmer, join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour to get close to the corals and marine life. Otherwise, enjoy the underwater scenery from a glass-bottom boat. The park also has designated spots for camping, fishing, swimming and barbecuing—fun activities to round out a great vacation. The adventurous traveler might also enjoy exploring the mangrove swamps on a guided tour and hiking the Wild Tamarind Trail. For thinner crowds, visit on weekday mornings. Reservations are recommended, especially during the holidays. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Fort Clinch State Park(3.622 reviews) - Great spot for history and/or nature buffs Historic Sites • State Parks • Military Bases & Facilities
This state park preserves Florida's history.See more..
4.5Lovers Key State Park(3.070 reviews) - Lovers Key is Beautiful! State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Park is not associated with Bonita Springs Dog Beach. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shelling, fishing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife watching, canoeing/kayaking, geocaching and more.See more..
4.5Fort De Soto Park(2.857 reviews) - Plenty of space and shallow waters State Parks
We’re staying in the Orlando area but have vacationed in Florida many times over the years and been to the park a few times. It’s around 90 miles drive from Orlando but worth the effort as not only is it cheap to enter ($5 per car) but there are plenty of beach areas to choose from and no problems parking. We went to North Beach and the beach is only a short walk from the parking area (there’s also a small cafe selling snacks/drinks/beach stuff and clean rest rooms). The beach has a wide expanse of white sand and the waters are shallow for quite a way out, which makes it ideal for kids. Relax and enjoy!!See more..
4.5Honeymoon Island State Park(2.853 reviews) - Nice beach and bike trails Sunday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Beaches
This barrier island state park offers numerous nature-based activities. 5 miles of beaches, 3.5 miles of wooded hiking trails, nature center with gift shop and scenic views, 2 cafes, a new playground and wildlife including gopher tortoises, dolphins, manatee, eagles, owls, osprey and 100 of species of birds.See more..
Rehabilation center for injured animals, with a broad selection of birds and reptiles, including the manatee.See more..
4.5Henderson Beach State Park(2.397 reviews) - Beautiful white sand to sink your toes into State Parks • Beaches
Beautiful white sand beaches. The gulf was a lovely blue-green while I was there. In November, it wasn’t too crowded and there are plenty of places to easily access the beach. The sand is a soft, powdery white and easy to walk in. I did forget that walking in the sand will work those muscles you forget about. It was easy to walk the 1 1/2+ miles I walked. Entrance fee varies by how many people are in the car and I saw that camping is available. There are also buildings with restrooms and rinsing showers if you are worried about tracking sand into your vehicle. I saw a couple of access points for those in wheelchairs.See more..
4.5St. Andrews State Park(2.351 reviews) - Nice area, beautiful FL trails! State Parks • Beaches
We took a ride down to St. Andrew’s State Park and views were amazing. We stopped and walked the alligator trail with took about 25 minutes or so. We didn’t see any gators but that was ok because we lived in Louisiana and see them all the time. We really wanted to just see the FL nature trails. It cost $8 per vehicle and they offer a ferry service almost hourly to shell island we did not do this as the day before we visited shell island with an Island Time cruise. They offer kayaking, paddle boarding and all sorts of activities by the jetty’s and there is a pier to walk on for free by the pier store. We opted not to stay at this part of beach because alcohol was prohibited and other things. Very nice area though.See more..
4.5Blue Spring State Park(2.068 reviews) - My first visit in 70 years Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM State Parks • Parks
Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is a must-visit destination for travelers looking for outdoor adventure all year round. You can hike the park's multiple trails and set up a picnic amidst the beautiful surroundings. During summer, go canoeing and scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters, or take a leisurely boat tour around the reservation. And in the colder months, you can see migrating manatees taking over the warm waters of the springs—there's no better way to experience this than on a paddleboarding or kayaking tour. Can't get enough? You can spend the night camping or rent a cozy cabin in the park. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Anastasia State Park(1.370 reviews) - Beautiful Park Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM State Parks
Anastasia State Park includes 1,600 acres of rich ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Explore up to four miles of pristine beach, the estuarine tidal marsh teeming with plant and animal life, or the self-guided nature trail which takes you through the maritime hammock and onto ancient sand dunes. You can also visit the Coquina Quarry, an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to help construct the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. At Anastasia, there are many recreational activities to enjoy including hiking, swimming, beachcombing, bird watching, and much more. The campground contains 139 campsites all located within the beautiful maritime hammock and just a short walk or bike ride from the beach. Anastasia has concessions to provide guests with rental opportunities of bicycles, paddleboards, kayaks, sail boats and canoes. There is also a grill area and a small gift shop for visitors to take home an Anastasia memory. The grill location also provides Wi-Fi for visitors' use.See more..
4.5Caladesi Island State Park(1.366 reviews) - Some of our BEST vacation days! CALADESI/HONEYMOON Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Islands • Beaches
One of Florida's few remaining undisturbed barrier islands.See more..
4.5Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park(1.299 reviews) - Our favorite park! By far the best and cleanest beach in Miami Dade County! State Parks • Beaches
Named after a Miami newspaper editor Bill Baggs, this state park is part of an extensive barrier island system.See more..
4.5Lake Louisa State Park(1.052 reviews) - Off the beating Path Spent More than 3 hours State Parks
Lake Louisa State Park is 4500 acres of beautiful, real Florida! Just minutes from the area's major attractions, the park hosts guided horseback rides, guided kayak eco-tours, kayak canoe and bike rentals, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, swimming, and just about anything else you would expect in a natural setting. Home to 20 miles of trails, 7 lakes, 60 campsites, 20 cabins, a swim beach, playground, fishing piers, and more, you could spend days on end exploring this treasured gem.See more..
4.5Florida Caverns State Park(980 reviews) - Florida caverns Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM State Parks • Caverns & Caves • Geologic Formations
This place is temporarily closed. A cave complete with rock formations and bats.See more..
We visited on a beautiful Monday afternoon.$6 entry fee to stay all day if you like. Walks, Children's play area, swimming in the Spring fed water and boat rides (which need pre booking online) Boat rides are brilliant value and very informative, we saw loads of wildlife. Visit the lodge for the restaurant or cafe(you can stay there too) or just for a look round (the lobby ceiling is beautiful) I really recommend a visit here.See more..
4.5Hugh Taylor Birch State Park(954 reviews) - Best Paddle Boarding Ever!!! Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:45 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Parks
Smack in the middle of the city is this 180-acre park, which offers a respite from city life with picnicking, camping, swimming and canoeing and a chance to tour the home of the generous man who donated his lovely estate to Florida.See more..
My wife and I went there last weekend not really expecting much but were happy to say we had a fantastic experience! There is the north side and south side, your $8 admission fee gets you into both sides (save the receipt). Besides the "wading" area which is pretty nice, there is also a restaurant, bathrooms and the beach with long jetty going out. Lots of walking to be done, lots of photo opportunities and fabulous sunset. We will be back again!See more..
We vacationed twice this year in Santa Rosa Beach area. We have gone to several Beaches but Grayton beach is our favorite. It cost us $5 for the car group to get in but there is more parking than other beaches. Bathrooms are clean, there is a place to rinse off and it’s sufficient . It’s a bit of a walk to the beach on a boardwalk , but it’s an easy walk. We saw a sea turtle swimming ! We did notice in October one day there was lots of jellyfish . Little white floaty things , bigger pink ones also . The sand is powdery and white. We like that as we set on the beach it’s just dunes behind us , not houses or hotels/condos … just nature .See more..
This park hits all the great things Florida has to offer for $5 a car. The beach side had a unique Coconia rocks on a beautiful beach with tons of space to spread out and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean. The park side has a great picnic area and gardens. The picnic area has ample space for many groups to picnic on tables spread out. There is also bathrooms and a playground. The gardens along the inter coastal are breath taking and peaceful. Bathrooms and water fountains open. There are accessible trails throughout the park. This park is great for all ages and abilities. You can see the beach, intercostal, picnic, playground d and view beautiful gardens all in one place.See more..
4.5Ichetucknee Springs State Park(671 reviews) - Relaxing Tubing trip in clear spring water Sunday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM State Parks
Go early during the summer because once it is full, you can't get in. We went on a Saturday and got there when they opened at 8am. Parking is reasonable and close to the springs. You can rent tubes there or bring your own. You can buy a $7 tram wristband to get to the entry point and back to your car at the exit point. Of you can walk 25 minutes or so to get in the river and then 25 minutes back to your car. You can go down the river more than once, took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to do the long trip. We went a second time. Very relaxing. Water is so clear. You have to pay attention as you may drift into some tress in the river or into the banks. Loved it and can't wait to go back!See more..
This was a decent length walk and hike down the wooden steps to the see sinkhole. I honestly expected a lot more based on pictures, which clearly were taken years ago. Now this massive sinkhole is nothing but a mud pit mosquito hive. The history and information of how the sinkhole formed long, long ago was interesting. It’s a good cardio workout for $4 a vehicle but overall nothing I’d ever feel the need to do again.See more..
4.5De Leon Springs State Park(519 reviews) - Loved Everyhting ( No Bugs ) Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks
Been here before but, a few days back. Not disappointed the park is still very clean and cared for. the $6.00 fee takes in everyhting Been here a few years ago but, was not disappointed going again. The park is still clean and well maintained. Did not get to go swimming, everyone including some kids said the water was perfect on a hot day. Planning now on bringing some out-of-town guests here next month wanted to check it out as it is a 2 1/2 hr. away for us. This time hoping to make some pancakes yummy.See more..
4.5Paynes Prairie(481 reviews) - Horses Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM State Parks
Nature area with woods and swamp as well as an information center describing the wildlife in the area.See more..
4.5Tomoka State Park(440 reviews) - Interesting Park Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM State Parks
We were surprised there were no maps available or posted anywhere. Instead, we used the GPS, which did of course work. There's an easy trail there with some interesting trees. Ample seating and picnic areas as well as clean and accessible restrooms. The site is well-maintained. There's also river access, which is nice even if you just choose to look out across the area. The only drawback was the dirt road, which is full of potholes! Even at the posted speed limit of 15 mph, our vehicle took some hard hits. Just something to be aware of.See more..
We did a few day camping trip here. The park is absolutely beautiful and well kept up. The bath houses were clean and stocked with plenty of hot water! (It was chilly when we went) We did some hiking on the trails too. Some of the paths were not very wide but still able to stay on the trail. Plenty of wildlife to see and hear. We saw a few different hawks, owls, deer in our campsite, plenty of birds, tortoises, turkeys and even heard a pack of coyotes in the back country area one night! Stars were beautiful and bright as can be without all the light pollution. Definitely a hidden gem and a great few days away. Can't wait to go back!See more..
We loved our recent stay at Oscar Scherer State Park. Yes, some spots are tight, but you can see the size before you book them. Most spots have a little privacy. I love the easy access to The Legacy Trail where you can ride from Sarasota to Venice. Back gate to the trail typically opens by 8:00 AM. Restrooms/bathhouses are dated but they are clean and well maintained. A lot of good trails in the park and a little lake and a creek that runs behind many of the campsites. This park is a nice oasis the the urban sprawl between Venice and Sarasota.See more..
4.5Ravine Gardens State Park(331 reviews) - Beautiful, serene, and peaceful Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM State Parks • Gardens
The park has two ravines up to 120 feet deep with steep banks at 45 degree angles. Unlike common gullies, trenches or sinkholes caused by temporary flooding, the steephead ravine is a permanent feature with a spring-fed creek that never dries up, called Whitewater Branch. The underground water bubbling up cuts into the bank and carries the sand and soil downstream to the St. Johns River. Over thousands of years the ravine has widened and deepened to what you see today. In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. A 1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering motorists and bicyclists a view of the gardens. The Ravine Loop is closed to vehicle traffic one hour before sunset, but remains open for pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs. The garden's peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April. Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available to visitors. The Roy E. Campbell Civic Center complex features a large covered pavilion, auditorium, and meeting rooms that are available for rent. Located in Palatka at 1600 Twigg Street.See more..
Visited the Boneyard Beach. It was beautiful. The petrified trees presented a stunning foreground for the blue of the ocean. Very unusual. It’s a bit of a hike through the woods to get there. Bring bug spray! I didn’t and I was bitten pretty bad. It’s not a layout and swim beach but worth the trip.See more..
4.5Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park(295 reviews) - Nice preserve with boardwalks and observation decks Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nature area with woods and swamp as well as an information center describing the wildlife in the area.See more..
ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY PRIVATE BOAT OR PARK FERRY The island has pine Flatwoods, palm and oak hammocks, bald cypress swamps, and marshes. Hontoon Island is surrounded by the St. Johns River, the Hontoon Dead River, and Snake Creek. Activities include horseshoes, cycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, as well as hiking, camping, picnicking, and nature viewing and photography. The island can be circumnavigated with a nine and a half-mile (14 km) day trip; Blue Spring State Park is a short paddle up the St. Johns (3.5 miles) one way. Amenities include canoe rentals, bike paths, eleven tent sites, and six rustic cabins. The park also has overnight boat slip rentals, playground equipment, picnic tables, and a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) nature trail. The park has a lending library with picture books for children aged four to nine. The park is open from 8:00 am till one hour before sunset year-round.See more..
4.0Gamble Plantation Historic State Park(270 reviews) - A surprise presentation made this stop a true highlight. Sunday: 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • State Parks • Farms
I visited this beautiful site while on a quick trip to the area. Of course the site was closed due to the virus. I was walking up the the visitors center and the caretaker on duty stepped out to say Hi. There was myself and two other couples within earshot when he (His name was Jesse, I believe) offered to deliver his presentation outside at the front door of the plantation. We all anxiously said YES and Jesse went on to deliver a fact-filled, colorful presentation about the Park and the history of the area. His presentation turned what was going to be a dull walk thru the Park, into a memorable highlight of my day. It was great to interact with Jesse who could obviously be seen enjoying his work.See more..
Historic home of the author of "The Yearling."See more..
4.5Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park(259 reviews) - See old Florida! Virgin Bald Cypress, Royal Palms, birds and wildlife Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks
Florida's largest state park should not be missed! The 0.6 mile Boardwalk is located on Hwy 41/Tamiami Trail and leads you through a cypress swamp where you can see what the Everglades looked like before European settlers. In winter, you can see bald eagle and osprey on their nests. Many birds here. Alligator pond at the end of the boardwalk is a great place to sit quietly and wait for the birds and animals to reveal themselves. The slower you walk and the quieter you are, the more you will see. Your $3.00 donation per person maintains the boardwalk. There is another section of the park accessible from Hwy 29 to the north of the Everglades City turnoff. You can drive 6 miles on the unpaved scenic road with several places to stop and hike along the way. Stop at the small visitor center to get a map and advice on where to hike. If you're really lucky, you may see a Florida panther or black bear.See more..
We were lucky enough to get in on the beach side of the road. The sites inland are good for people who want it quieter ( no sounds of road traffic or ocean waves) or who want less sand tracking in, or a bit more space. All sites are good. The staff and volunteers are so good, taking care of the park and the sites and the interesting programs. Lots to do in the area too. Flagler Beach is a nice town, just North and Ormond and Daytona Beach is just south of here. It’s not always easy to get a spot here, but we like it. See more..
4.5O'Leno State Park(226 reviews) - Great old park! Spent 2-3 hours State Parks
Located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away in the River Rise State Preserve. One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The suspension bridge built by the CCC still spans the river. Visitors can picnic at one of the pavilions or fish in the river for their dinner. Canoes and bicycles are available for rent. While hiking the nature trails, visitors can look for wildlife and enjoy the beauty of native plants. The shady, full-facility campground is the perfect place for a relaxing overnight stay. Located on U.S. 441, six miles north of High Springs.See more..
We were really excited to cross this engineering masterpiece spanning the Tampa Bay. There are two fishing piers on each side of the bridge. We stopped at the southern one in Mantee County rest area. This pier is longer and takes you closer to the central pylons. Entry fee for one hour tourist visit without fishing is around 3$. From the pier's end there are great views of the entire bridge and bay.See more..
Had a Great Time , made new friends. Bring a golf cart or horse if you have one. The property is big ! Golf carts are available to rent but get rented quick. Suwannee lights are beautiful but are an extra charge even if camping. The Facility are Average , I didn’t think the restrooms were clean , I would not use them unless no other choice. I made a reservation and tried to call for a week ,also emailed and left messages got I voicemail back informing of my site, finally after a week a email to answer some of my concerns. I am told by other campers they are short of staff ? On a positive note we had a great time , the fireworks were great , I would like to return in the summer to check it out .See more..
Crystal River Preserve State Park is a remnant of the Florida coastline that has changed little since Europeans arrived over 500 years ago. The park preserves more than 27,000 acres of diverse natural communities such as scrub, pinewoods, hardwood forests, salt marshes and mangrove islands. Much of the property is still untouched, allowing visitors a glimpse at what this area of Florida looked like centuries ago. Given the natural community diversity, the preserve is an ideal location for birding and wildlife viewing. The preserve offers several miles of hiking and biking trails and two designated kayak launches. From Labor Day to Memorial Day (September-May) Eco-heritage boat trips leave from the park headquarters. The 1.5-hour boat tour gives visitors the opportunity to see coastal marsh and learn how it and the associated marine estuary provided for the ancient river dwellers that once lived here. The 24-passenger vessel “Monroe” runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., weather permitting. The cost is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for children under 12 years of age, children 6 years of age and under are free. Boat tickets can be purchased one hour prior to departure, forms of payment accepted are cash or check.See more..
4.5Suwannee River State Park(149 reviews) - Variety of Sites and Landscapes Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM State Parks
We visited Suwannee River State Park to do some hiking. We were stunned by the beauty and variety of the landscapes! The park is on the site of an old city called Columbus that was active until about 100 years ago. All the remains is the cemetery and the stagecoach road. Confederate Earthworks underscore the importance of the area’s bridges. The views of the Suwannee and Withlachoochee Rivers were stunning along the trails and platforms. There are other spring runs and bridges scattered about. It was so beautiful, remote, and relaxing. We hiked all the 5 miles of trails on the south side of the Suwannee in about 2 hours. This is a real gem in north Florida and I highly recommend stopping by for a visit.See more..
4.5Bulow Creek State Park(142 reviews) - Love nature! Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM State Parks
We started at the Walter Boardman Lane entrance to the Bulow Woods Trail & walked maybe a mile total. We then drove to another area of the park, where we walked the Wahlin Trail & saw the Fairchild Oak. The park itself is huge & there is no entry fee at any trailhead. We saw several picnic areas & wish we had packed a lunch & allowed more time to explore. The park itself is beautiful & if you're into nature walks, it's well worth as much time as you care to spend here.See more..
With many species of wildlife and recreational opportunities, Withlacoochee State Forest has been named one of the "10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America" by the World Wildlife Fund.See more..
What a great place to get away.we stayed in cabin 5. Perfectly clean and inviting. A beautiful screened porch, a fire ring out back. It's not a 5 star hotel, but we've stayed in many park cabins and this is among the best.See more..
