Florida State Parks

Located between Destin and Panama City Beach in northwestern Florida, Grayton Beach State Park is one of the most popular parks in the state. Grayton Beach draws visitors with its many exciting activities, including birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, cycling, kayaking, hiking, and camping.

Nestled at the western part of the Dunedin Causeway, this state park is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city living. Honeymoon Island boasts four miles of sandy beaches, abundant wildlife, and nature trails. You'll find plenty of activities on the main beach, including swimming, sunbathing, and shelling. The Osprey Trail takes you through scenic pine forest, where you may spot horned owls, eagles, and osprey nesting.

Set on Key Largo, Florida, John Pennekamp park is known as America's first underwater park. It boasts beautiful woodlands, gorgeous coral reefs, and extensive meadows. Kayaking, snorkeling, and canoeing are popular recreational activities here, and fishing is allowed in designated areas. Visitors can also hike the short trails, swim at the beach, or picnic.

Covering approximately 500 acres, Bahia Honda is one of Florida's southernmost parks and famous for gorgeous beaches, excellent snorkeling, and magnificent sunsets. The park boasts a nature trail leading visitors to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. Hike along the route and catch a bird's-eye view of the entire island from the top of the bridge.

Encompassing over 2,600 acres, Blue Spring State Park is one of the best places to observe manatees in the wild. The park offers myriad recreational activities, with canoeing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, camping, wildlife watching, hiking, and swimming. There are various trails winding through the park's interior, such as the 3.6 mile Pine Island Trail, which takes hikers to the St. Johns River.

Located in the Florida Panhandle, Florida Caverns is one of the only state parks with dry caves. Tour the caves' impressive stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies formed by bedrock erosion. Recreational activities in the park include hiking, boating, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. The park has two nature trails allowing you to explore the magnificent rocky cliffs along the river floodplain. The terrain is considered mildly strenuous.

Nestled in Martin County between Tequesta and Hobe Sound, this park is home to the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center and diverse natural habitats, including pine flatwoods, mangroves, sand pine scrub, and river swamps. Go horseback riding or hike along the park's trails. Canoeing, kayaking, and boating along the river are also ideal ways to explore the park.

Located on the Silver River in Marion County, Silver Springs boasts dozens of scenic trails. Canoe along the river, bike or hike along the nature trails, or discover incredible wildlife and birds. The park offers 4.5 miles of cycling trails perfect for fat-tire bicycles. The park also has a fully equipped campground and picnic pavilions.

The park is famed for its miles of mountain bicycling trails, which range from novice trails for beginners to strenuous trails for professional bicyclists. Parts of the trails are also perfect for rollerblading. Kayakers and canoeists can paddle down the river to enjoy the beauty of this park. Swimming at the 1,200-foot sandy beach and fishing are also favorite activities here.