Looking for an outdoor adventure for the whole family?
Look no further than Florida State Parks! Whether your idea of fun involves hiking, biking, swimming or exploring, we have a park that’s right for you.
If you’re feeling brave, try leaping into the spring from the 22-foot dive tower at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Generations of people have taken the plunge. The cool, blue waters of Wakulla Springs well up from the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, you can hike the trails through pine and hardwood forests.
Is this Florida or the Wild West? Catch a glimpse back in time at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Wild horses roam the grasslands. These are the descendants of horses brought here by Spanish explorers. You might spot the park’s herd of bison from atop the 50-foot observation tower at the southern end of the park. The whole family can canoe on Lake Wauberg and camp in a remote site along the Chacala Trail.
More than 20 distinct biological communities provide a rich array of habitats for wildlife and livestock, including alligators, bison, horses and nearly 300 species of birds.
You won’t be the first to discover the healing waters of De Leon Springs State Park, but you’ll experience what the Mayaca Indians did who lived here 6,000 years ago did. You can swim or snorkel in the spring. To fuel your adventure, take the whole family to our beloved Sugar Mill Restaurant. A favorite since the 1960s, the restaurant features make-your-own pancakes at the table!
Experience Myakka River State Park from a bird’s-eye view — the trees! On the treetop canopy, explore a walkway that soars 25 feet above the oak and palm trees. Or climb up the taller tower for a spectacular view of the wetlands and prairie. The whole family can camp in one of the historic log cabins that date back to the 1930s. In the morning, bike, boat or just hike the trails.
To really appreciate the beauty of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you need to dive in! This was the first undersea park in the country. Strap on your flippers and snorkel or scuba dive to see the marine life up close. Or if you prefer staying above the water, view the vibrant coral reefs on a glass-bottom boat tour.
