Ravine Gardens State Park, Florida, United States
4.5 (331 reviews) Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM Spent Ranking #1 in Palatka State Parks • Gardens
Beautiful, serene, and peaceful
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.
Address
1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177-5637
Mobile
Website
http://www.floridastateparks.org/park/ravine-gardens
Working hours
Monday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Friday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Saturday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Sunday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 19:17
User Ratings
4.5 based on (331 reviews)
Reviews
-
5Ben N 5:00 PM Jan 19, 2023
Great walk beautiful park
Easy walking, handicap accessible, lots of wide steps if you want to take different trails, you can drive into it and around if you need to, clean restrooms, dog friendly! Beauty scenery, we went in January and it was in the 50s but beautiful. Go when it’s warmer if you’re looking for the wildlife. January-March is Azalea season and they were in full bloom mid January and it’s beautiful! The suspension bridges give a bagful view without too many steps
-
4liz m 5:00 PM Jan 2, 2020
first visit
Have driven by for years and seen the signs so had to check it out. Is more ravine and less gardens. signs state that there's some hurricane damage and some areas difficult to get through. We walked some, neat stone steps and walls. Gardens in upper area not that great. trails and hiking seem to be the main interest here. Will come back when azaleas blooming. $5 suggested entrance fee for a carload of people...is done on honor system w/envelopes.
