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 one of the largest and deepest freshwater spring systems in the world. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, you can hike the trails through pine and hardwood forests or a take a boat tour of the spring run to see Florida history and wildlife.
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 join in the experiences people have been having here since the indigenous Mayaca people 6,000 years ago. You can enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the spring. To fuel your adventure, take the whole family to the beloved Sugar Mill Restaurant. A favorite since the 1960s, the restaurant features make-your-own pancakes at the table!
Try your hand at a real-life treasure hunt at Estero Bay Preserve State Park. Geocaching is a fun, family-friendly motivator to get up and get out there. This inexpensive activity just requires a smart phone and a sense of adventure. Using your GPS, follow your coordinates to discover the cache. Numerous geocaches are waiting to be found by exploring the West Broadway Trailhead at Estero Bay Preserve State Park and plenty of wildlife is waiting to be found along the way! There are 12 miles of trails, each taking you through the beautiful pine and scrub flatwood environments. The trails can be accessed via hiking, biking or walking.
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. If you prefer staying above the water, view the vibrant coral reefs on a glass-bottom boat tour.
