floridastateparks

Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is located in the community of Santa Rosa Beach in Walton County. It was initially acquired in 1964 with only 356 acres. The park continued to expand through 1995 and now contains almost 2,000 acres. With four miles of nature trails, including a captivating coastal forest, you will be guaranteed to leave with lasting memories.
The park offers bird watching, hiking, a beach for swimming, boating, paddling, canoeing/kayaking, RV sites, restrooms, and more. There are plenty of handicap-accessible features including campsites, cabins, Mobi-mats, beach wheelchairs, and picnic tables. Feel free to bring your pets but remember to keep them on a leash.
For more information visit the Grayton Beach State Park website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/graytonbeach
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
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Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park contains 4,886 acres where 15 species of protected animals and eight species of protected plants thrive. It is located in Stuart, Martin County between the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and U.S. 1.
Saunter over 30 miles of trails that wind through a hydric hammock, wet flatwoods, and a wet prairie. Note the remains of drainage ditches from long ago. Reveal in the sounds of the wetlands as you experience this tropical paradise.
Enjoy the Sabal palms and live oaks overhead. Look for wax myrtle, wild coffee, and saw palmetto along the trails. Keep a keen eye out for protected cinnamon ferns, royal ferns, giant leather ferns, giant air plants, common wild pine, and threatened snowy orchids.
Sandhill cranes, ibises, herons, egrets, and wood storks are common sights at the preserve. Look for alligators and manatees. Gopher tortoises can be found in the sandy habitat of the upland at the preserve. Watch for bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks, and swallow-tailed kites soaring through the sky.
Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park has limited access and requires a gate code.
Photo Credit: Courtney Smith
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Torreya State Park

Torreya State Park
Established in 1930 by the Civilian Conservation Corp., Torreya State Park is best known for its highly endangered and endemic Torreya tree. However, the Torreya tree isn’t the only rare species that call this park home. Other rare species found here include Florida yew, ash magnolia, pyramid magnolia, fireback crayfish, and Apalachicola dusky salamanders.
Since 2001 the park has been working on restoring an old sand pine plantation to a healthy and thriving longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem. Take a tour of the Gregory House, a relic of the pre-Civil War era.
Go hiking on Torreya State Park’s 16 miles of challenging trails through the steep ravines. Bring your small craft, launch it at the boat ramp, and paddle on the gorgeous Apalachicola River. Bring your camera and photograph the numerous birds and wildlife because Torreya State Park is recognized as a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Take some time to simply relax and enjoy the serene overlook of the river. Picnic areas with grills and tables provide the perfect spot for your outdoor meal. There is a playground for the kids. Service animals are welcome.
Stay for a night or more to explore this beautiful park. Set up camp at the top of the “mountain” overlooking the Apalachicola River at one of the Rock Bluff Primitive Campsites. Make a reservation for the cracker cabin, yurt, or a campsite with hookups for your RV.
The park is located in the panhandle in Bristol. Whether you spend a day or a week, Torreya State Park is a wonderfully unique park to explore and discover.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
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Big Shoals State Park

Big Shoals State Park boasts the only whitewater Class III rapids in Florida. Located In White Springs on S.E. County Road 135 in Hamilton County, this state park has a canoe and kayak launch on the shore of the blackwater Suwannee River. The upper portion of the river provides a year-round opportunity for paddlers. The water level which varies throughout the year determines if the shoals are safe to pass through. The Class III rapids occur when the Suwanne reaches 59-61 feet above mean sea level.
Apalachee and Timucuan lived in the Big Shoals where they used limestone from a quarry to make tools essential for survival. In the early 1800s, European settlers forced most Native Americans out of Big Shoals. Throughout the years, the area was home to a scrub cattle ranch, a black seed cotton farm, and was later used for logging and turpentining. Today, you can still see the scars on the bark of Longleaf pines from catstripping to reach the turpentine. Later the White Springs hotel and bathhouse were built for guests to take advantage of White Springs which was first cherished by Native Americans for their healing properties. The springs dried up in 1990.
Between 1986 and 1989, land including Big Shoals was purchased through a joint agreement between the state of Florida, the Suwannee River Water Management District, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Today, Big Shoals State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Big Shoals State Park has 28 miles of trails waiting to be explored. Hike, bike, or horseback ride while discovering the wildlife and wild plants that thrive there. Trails include a mountain bike trail and the 3.4-mile-long Woodpecker Trail which is a multipurpose paved trail. Be sure to hike the mile-long shaded Big Shoals Trail. The trail will lead you through the forest to limestone bluffs 80 feet above the Suwannee River. Enjoy the breath-taking view of the Big Shoals as the Suwannee rushes over agatized corals and limestone.
Bring your camera and/or binoculars. Look for greenfly orchids and magnolia trees. Watch for Swallow-tailed kites, bald eagles, and hawks soaring overhead. Wood ducks, herons, egrets, and other wading birds visit or make their homes near the water. Listen for owls and a diverse assortment of songbirds.
Bring your dinner and enjoy it at the picnic pavilion. Pets on a 6-foot leash are welcome.
Be sure to stay until sunset to see hundreds of Mexican free-tailed bats fly out of the bat house.
Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam
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Wakulla Springs State Park

Wakulla Springs State Park
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park boasts the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. It may be most famous for the movies Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) that were filmed in the park. Wakulla Springs State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Natural Landmark. It is located just south of Tallahassee in Wakulla County.
Stop by the Visitor Center to access an interpretive display where you will learn the history of the park from Paleolithic times until today. Observe cave diagrams, learn about the indigenous people who first inhabited the land, the men and women who resided or visited there, Edward Ball whom the park is named after, and the wildlife who live there today.
Saunter along the 9 mile Nature Trail, the 1.4 mile Cherokee Sink Trail, or the Bob Rose Trail. Bike or take a guided bike tour on the Cherokee Sink Trail and the Nature Trail. Discover the animals and plants that thrive in the cool waters when you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, or cave diving. For the more daring, jump or dive from the 22-foot observation tower/dive into the 70* spring. Bring a blanket to the beach and sit for a while at the shore or under the shade of a cypress tree.
Explore Southern hardwood forests. maple-cypress habitats, an upland hardwood forest, pine forests, 80-foot-deep sinkhole lake, and ancient cypress swamps.
Bring your camera. Watch for resident and migratory wading birds and songbirds including cedar waxwings, phoebes, and chimney swifts. Look for white-tailed deer, bears, alligators, manatees, and more. Marvel at the variety of wildflowers including terrestrial and epiphytic orchids.
Bring your picnic and enjoy your lunch at one of the provided tables. A playground is nearby. View Wakulla Spring while dining in the Edward Ball Dining Room where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. Be sure to stop by the Soda Fountain for an old-fashioned malt or milkshake on the world’s longest marble countertop.
Rooms are available at the historic 1930’s Spanish-style Wakulla Springs Lodge. Plan your reunion or wedding at this popular park. Three conference rooms are available for events, meetings, and retreats.
Well-behaved pets are welcome in designated areas while on a 6-foot leash. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is wheelchair accessible and offers wheelchair access to riverboats, access to a manual wheelchair upon request, accessible picnic shelters, and accessible benches.
Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam
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San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park

Just south of Tallahassee lies a little historic state park waiting to be explored. San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park was established as a state park in 1964, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and is a National Historic Landmark and National Engineering Landmark.
The flags flying over San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park welcome you and are a reminder of those who came before you. Saunter along the self-guided .33 mile interpretive trail through the historic ruins. Look for today’s wild residents including pelicans, anhingas, cormorants, seagulls, ospreys, great blue herons, turtles, sea turtles, manatees, otters, squirrels, and more.
Be sure to make time to visit the museum where you will learn about the history and importance of San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park located on the Wakulla and St. Marks River junction. First settled by the Apalachee who lived in farming communities, the area later became a trading route. Over the years two military forts and a federal marine hospital were built. Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorers, Britains, pirates, Confederate soldiers, and General Andrew Jackson are just some of the people who have lived at San Marcos or occupied a fort.
Enjoy your meal in the picnic area complete with grills and tables.
For more information about this Historic State Park located in St. Marks, Wakulla County click here:
Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam
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Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, located in Key West, is a 54-acre state park and has been around since before the Civil War. After 21 years of construction slowed by yellow fever, hurricanes, and shortages of manpower and materials, Fort Zachary Taylor was completed in 1866. The fort played a significant part in the Civil War and the Spanish-American war. To learn more, take a guided tour through the fort or visit during the living history week that includes historical reenactments.
 
Swim or snorkel at the beautiful beach. There are picnic tables and grills under the trees for your beachside meal. Saunter along the nature trails and discover unique plant life and wildlife. Explore the shaded trails on your bike.
 
A coral reef surrounded by seagrass beds is waiting to be explored. The reef includes the knobby brain, tube, and starlet coral. Be sure to bring your snorkel. There are equipment rentals in case you forget. There’s a small cafe if you get hungry from all the exploring.
 
Park amenities include biking, geocaching, picnicking, swimming, birding, hiking, scuba, tours, fishing, paddling, and snorkeling.
 
Check out the live webcam and enjoy a moment of serenity as you watch the waves flow across the beach. Webcam: http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/beach.html
 
For more information: https://www.fortzacharytaylor.com
 
Photo credit: Aymee Laurain, Dan Kon

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Lake Louisa State Park

Lake Louisa State Park

If you are looking for somewhere to get some fresh air and see some of Florida’s natural beauty, then this is the place to go! Just north of Orlando, off Highway 27 in Clermont, is Lake Louisa State Park. It is open every day of the year until sundown. Lake Louisa State Park lies in the Green Swamp and within the northern boundary of Lake Wales Ridge. The wetlands create natural flood control while supplying the aquifer with filtered water. The Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Peace, and Ocklawaha Rivers all originate from The Green Swamp.

Camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and horseback riding are activities waiting to be enjoyed. Guided horseback and kayak tours are great ways to see the park. It is a good idea to bring water and snacks or pack a picnic. Lake Louisa State Park features three major lakes, several smaller lakes, 20 miles of trails, and 7 miles of paved roads.

The park offers trails ranging from a half a mile to 5.5 miles where you can explore 11 different ecosystems. Dudes Loop at 0.5 miles and Compton’s Loop at 1 mile are the shortest trails. South Trail is 1.2 miles and Sandhill Loop is 1.5 miles. The mid-level trails are Big Creek Loop and Bear Lake Loop at 2 miles long, and South Loop at 2.5 miles. The more challenging trails are the Nature Trail at 3.5 miles and Bronson Loop at 5.5 miles. Be sure to get a map at the Ranger Station. The Rangers are very helpful and knowledgeable about the park.

Compton’s Loop Trail has some geological formations of limestone and red clay swirling together to make very pretty colors in the rock. The rock has eroded over time, forming a tiny cliff. The trail leads you through the trees and sable palms up to a hill with tall pine trees and a view of the rolling hills. Make sure to check out the very scenic Lake Louisa Beach that has a long boardwalk with a swampy marsh underneath. Mangrove trees growing out of the water keep the boardwalk nicely shaded. The boardwalk leads you to a sandy swimming area with a playground and picnic table. Bear Lake is a great scenic spot that offers boating access for your handheld watercraft. Bear Lake Loop and Bronson Loop circle the lake and are wonderful trails to immerse yourself in nature and for wildlife viewing.

Look for bobcats, white-tailed deer, tortoises, fox squirrels, and rabbits. Near the lakes, you may see alligators, snakes, and otters. The ranger is happy to give guides to identify some of the snakes who are native to the area, as well as a guide for identifying tracks along the trails. There is so much to #explore and #discover at Lake Louisa State Park for any level adventurer!

For more information and trail map: https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa…/lake-louisa-state-park

Written by Briana Gunnell ~ Valencia student and IOF volunteer
Photo Credit: Briana Gunnell

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Ravine Gardens State Park

Ravine Gardens State Park features Whitewater Branch Creek which is spring-fed. It took thousands of years for the flowing water to form two ravines that are up to 120 feet deep with 45-degree angles. As the water flows through the banks, it carries soil and sand into the St. Johns River.

During the Great Depression, Ravine Gardens State Park became one of nine New Deal state parks in Florida. The Federal Works Progress Administration created a fascinating garden that featured over 270,000 plants on the slopes of the ravine. The park opened to the public on July 4th of 1933.

Today, the ravines have been left to naturally transform back to the way Nature intended. Ravine Gardens State Park continues to inspire with its five acres of formal gardens, stone features, fountains, water features, and historic gardens including hundreds of azaleas.

Bike, hike, or drive Main Park Drive Loop, a 1.8-mile paved road that winds around the ravines and offers incredible views of the ravine. Hike Azalea Trail, a two-and-a-half-mile shady trail through the ravine. Trod through muddy and steep paths and cross over historic suspension bridges and stone staircases. Look for birds. foxes, skunks, armadillos, opossums, squirrels, otters, turtles fish, alligators and other wildlife.

Numerous picnic sites equipped with tables and grills are available to visitors. A wheelchair-friendly playground is waiting for you to enjoy. A large covered pavilion, auditorium, and meeting rooms are available for larger gatherings or events at the Roy E. Campbell Civic Center.

Pets are welcome in Ravine Gardens State Park and on the trails when they are kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash. Ravine Gardens State Park is located in Palatka in Putnam County.

For more information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/ravine-gardens-state-pa…

Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam – IOF Volunteer

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Florida Caverns State Park

Florida Caverns State Park

Stalactites and Stalagmites, Oh my!

Tour a cave at Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida. Experience year-round 65-degree temperature as a tour guide leads you through the limestone cave lit by a new state-of-the-art LED lighting system. See for yourself the formations that have taken thousands of years to grow. If you are lucky, you may meet a few of the cave’s residents. Bats, mice, cave crickets, salamanders, cave spiders, and occasionally, snakes and frogs make their home there.

Stop by the Visitor Center, museum, and concession. Enjoy a meal at the Hickory Picnic Pavillion with a playground nearby. Sign up for a cave tour. Enjoy the multi-use trails for horseback riding, bicycling, and walking. Boating and paddling are great ways to spend the day on the water. Camping, primitive camping, and equestrian camping are available for those who want to explore the entire park.

Look for Southern Fox squirrels (formerly known as Sherman’s Fox squirrels), red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks, flocks of turkeys, and white-tailed deer. You may even meet a rare barn owl!

Photo Credit: Andy Waldo and Erin James

For more information: click here:

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Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Visit a miniature rainforest at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. When the limestone beneath it collapsed, a 120-foot deep sink was created. Since the 1880s, Devil’s Millhopper has captured the imaginations of visitors who marveled at this natural wonder located in Gainesville.
The state purchased the site in 1974. When the steps into the sinkhole were completed in 1976, Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park was designated a National Natural Landmark.
The history of Devil’s Millhopper has been passed down over generations. Oral history tells us that the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the limestone entrance and a stairway into the sinkhole in the 1930s. How did Devil’s Millhopper get its name? In the 1800s, grain was ground in a gristmill. A funnel at the top of the mill, known as a hopper, held the grain as it was fed into the grinder. Fossils and bones of animals were found at the bottom of the sinkhole. Legend has it that the Devil used the Millhopper to capture the animals. A few remaining Catface pines remind us of the turpentine industry from long ago. Natural history abounds in the sink as researchers have discovered marine shells, shark teeth, and the fossils of extinct land animals.
Today, Devil’s Millhopper is a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A nature trail loops around the 500-foot rim of the sinkhole. Let your senses absorb the sights, sounds, and smells as you meander down the stairs into the rainforest. Take in the multiple shades of green as you slowly descend into the rainforest. Listen for the sounds from the treetops as their leaves rustle in the wind, and birds sing their melodies. Hear the water trickle through creeks and over waterfalls before disappearing into the limestone. Feel the temperates drop as you near the bottom of the sink and travel under the canopy of the lush trees.
Look for grey treefrogs, fox sparrows, and golden-banded skippers as well as rabbits, squirrels, and a plethora of reptiles and amphibians. There are Saturday guided walks with a park ranger and a picnic area. Dogs on a six-foot leash are welcome.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain and Bobby Putnam
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Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

Immerse yourself in Nature along the Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek at Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park. Located in Sanford, Seminole County, the wetlands and blackwater streams are home to sandhill cranes, wood storks, river otters, turtles, fish, alligators, and Florida black bears.
Stroll along the Sand Hill Nature Trail. Interpretive signs guide you as you admire the beauty of the native plants and enjoy the antics of the wildlife. Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park is a wonderful outdoor space to bike, jog, or walk. Be sure to stop along the way for some birding.
Paddle through the park on the Wekiva River, which has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River. Launch your paddleboard, canoe, or kayak at Katie’s Landing, where you will find picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.
Equestrians appreciate the 26 miles of multi-use trails at Fechtel Tract, where they can ride through rainy-season creeks and streams, hydric hammocks, and open pastures. Water troughs, stalls, a coral and a mountain block is available for your horse. Stay the day, or spend a night or more at one of the primitive campsites. Grills and picnic tables are also available for you. Be sure to carry proof of a negative Coggins test.
Pets on a six-foot handheld leash are welcome, with the exception of primitive camping areas.
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
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Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Plan a trip to Rock Springs Run State Reserve in Sorrento. Explore the 14,000-acre reserve and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of swamps, bay heads, oak hammocks, pine Flatwoods, and sand pine scrub. Stop by the spring/run river system which runs along the perimeter of the park. Look for the many varieties of wildflowers in bloom, red-shouldered hawks, sandhill cranes, indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jay, and bear tracks. Visit in the fall and you may see a black bear testing on the reserve’s acorn harvest.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve boasts 14 miles of hiking trails for hikers. For cyclists, there are 15 miles of multi-use trails. Equestrians appreciate the nine miles of trails for horse riding. Rock Springs Run Trail Rides offers guided horseback riding.

There are 2 primitive campsites accessible by kayak or canoe and Equestrian primitive campsites. The reserve has spots for RVs. The Hammock House, a log cabin with 4 bedrooms is located on the Wekiva River. Bring your family and enjoy a night on the deck and paddle the 2 provided canoes up the Wekiva River. Your pets are welcome by must be on a 6 ft leash.

For more information, fees, reservations, and more click here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/rock-springs-run-state-…

Photo Credit: Andy Waldo

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Tomoka State Park

Tomoka State Park

Walk where Timucua once walked. At Tomoka State Park there is a half-mile interpretive trail that leads you through a hardwood hammock and past the Timucuan village site of Nocoroco. Watch for common white-tailed deer, threatened gopher tortoises, elusive bobcats, and well-camouflaged rattlesnakes. Search for wild coffee, resurrection ferns, and indigo plants. Look up to see bald eagle nests, woodpecker holes in dead trees, and a variety of other birds. Bring your lunch and enjoy it at a picnic pavilion.

Sleep where Timucua once slept. Tomoka State Park has 100 campsites for your RV or tent, all with modern-day conveniences of electric hook-ups and water as well as a grill and picnic table. Invite your family for a reunion at the Tomoka Recreational Hall. You can host your next business meeting or get married in the hall.

Go boating where Timucua once canoed. Bring your own or rent a canoe or kayak at the park store. Explore and discover the peacefulTomoka River estuary and basin. The Tomoka River and its tributaries within the park are designated a manatee sanctuary. Be sure to follow speed and idle limits to protect these amazing animals. After all, it is the manatees who keep our waterways clear of vegetation for marine life and boaters.

Learn the history of a Timucua village, Nocoroco, and the people who once thrived there. Mount Oswald, a cotton, sugar, and indigo plantation was once located at the highest point in the Tomoka Basin. Observe the preservation of history through restoration at Tomoka Point.

Tomoka State Park, located in Ormond Beach, is designated a Great Florida and Birding Wildlife Trail, a Greenway, and a Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.

For more information, reservations, prices, etc, click here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/Tomoka

Photo Credit Alex Clark

 

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Wekiwa Springs State Park

Wekiwa Springs State Park, located in Orange County, is just waiting to be explored. Discover a longleaf pine forest and sandhill uplands. Hammocks at the river’s edge are thick and tropical-like. Wildflowers of multiple colors spring up at all times during the year to greet you. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife from iconic Florida black bears to the tiniest spiders who weave their intricate webs along the trails.

Wekiwa Springs State Park is best known for its crystal clear springs which are a refreshing 72* all year long. Swimming and snorkeling are favorite pastimes. A swim lift is available for those who have difficulty with the steps leading to the springs.

After enjoying a dip in the cool springs, cook an outdoor meal on one of the grills. Eat at a picnic table nearby or spread your blanket on the ground overlooking the springs. There is a playground for the kids, and a volleyball court and horseshoe pit for friends and family to enjoy.

If the river is calling you, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available to rent. Paddle the Wekiva river where you will see an abundance of wildlife including alligators and turtles basking in the sun and osprey high in the treetops.

Explore the trails of Wekiwa Springs State Park on foot, horseback, or bike. Trails range in length from 8/10 of a mile to 13.5 miles. The Tram Bed Horse Trail is perfect for horseback riding. Pedal along the bike trail or discover the many birds found along the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail within the park.

Stargaze at one of the 60 spacious campsites in Sandhill habitat. Camp with your horses at Big Fork or experience primitive camping at Camp Cozy or Big Fork. A concession is available for your convenience should you forget to pack something.

Make your day at the park a family affair. Bring your dog! Just be sure he or she is on a 6-foot leash.

Plan your adventure today! Explore and discover Wekiwa Springs State Park! Wekiwa Springs State Park is located at 1800 Wekiwa Cir. Apopka FL 32712
Plan your trip here: http://www.wekiwaspringsstatepark.com/plan.html
Note- the park reaches capacity early in the day during the summer. It is best to arrive when the park opens.

Photo credit: Andy Waldo images captured during several hikes throughout the year.

 

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