Florida beyond beaches and theme parks: Try these 10 state parks
When you think about Florida, you probably think of its beautiful family beaches and thrill-packed theme parks. And while the Sunshine State does have those two family vacation ideas in abundance, it's also home to some unique state parks where you can spot rare flora and fauna and explore the Florida landscape in some not-so-typical ways.
With an impressive 175 sites to explore within the Florida State Parks system, you might be wondering where to start. Here are the most one-of-a-kind Florida state parks (and where to stay nearby) with unusual attractions and features that make them worthy travel adventures on any Florida family vacation.
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1. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
Gainesville, Florida
Not far from the bustling University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park offers a completely different perspective of the area. You can head to the park's boardwalk and climb down 132 steps into a 120-foot-deep limestone sinkhole. Enjoy the soundtrack of rustling leaves and trickling waterfalls as you check out the more than 100 feet of exposed rock layers.
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Sinkholes occur when acidic groundwater dissolves limestone over a period of time and causes the roof of a cavity to eventually collapse. The sinkhole at this Florida state park has been attracting observers since the 1880s, and it’s easy to see why—all the vegetation growing on the walls gives the sinkhole a rainforest feel, and the tall trees surrounding it make the park a great place to escape the Florida heat.
2. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Okeechobee, Florida
A 54,000-acre preserve that's part of the Florida Everglades headwaters, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie. You can explore this Florida state park on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback via more than 100 miles of multi-use trails, or take a guided buggy tour for an elevated view of the prairie. Many rare, threatened, and endangered species call the site home, and birders might be able to add sightings of a grasshopper sparrow, crested caracara, swallow-tailed kite, or bald eagle to their life list.
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In 2016, the International Dark-Sky Association named Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Florida's first Dark Sky Park. Visitors who secure after-hours access to the preserve by booking a campsite or reserving an astronomy viewing pad could be rewarded with views of Jupiter, Saturn, or other planets; the International Space Station in orbit; or even a nighttime rocket launch from a site on Florida's Space Coast.
3. Highlands Hammock State Park
Sebring, Florida
Opened in August 1935, the 9,000-acre Highlands Hammock is one of Florida's first state parks and it's home to more rare and endemic species than any other state park in Florida. Bring your binoculars and camera in case you’re lucky enough to spot a gopher tortoise, Florida panther, black bear, or cardinal air plant as you wander under the shady tree canopy.
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Nine trails travel throughout this Central Florida park, offering glimpses of towering oak trees, hardwood swamp, and creeks where you might spy alligators and wading birds. Stop by the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum to view exhibits telling the stories of the people who built this and seven other Florida parks during the Great Depression.
4. Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs, Florida
Glass-bottomed boats have been gliding through the waters of Silver Springs since the 1870s, making it one of Florida’s earliest must-visit tourist attractions. Today you can still peer beneath the surface of the Silver River during daily boat tours on the park’s historic watercraft. Through the windows by your feet, you'll observe the river’s head spring, Mammoth Spring, as well as several feeder springs and even some props from movies like Moonraker and Creature from the Black Lagoon, both of which were filmed at the site.
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You can also rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board to ply the waters at this Florida state park or explore its hiking and nature trails, where you could spot everything from armadillos and foxes to alligators and limpkins. Camping is also permitted at this state park.
5. Florida Caverns State Park
Marianna, Florida
Florida is known for its heat and humidity, but families who head underground at Florida Caverns to see the state's only cave developed for tours can enjoy cool 65-degree temperatures year-round. Offered on a first-come, first-served basis, the tours travel through a dozen cave rooms to take in geological formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. You can also learn about the long history of this Florida state park and the land it occupies. You might even spot chisel marks made by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s.
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Located in Marianna near the Alabama border, Florida Caverns State Park is home to more than 600 plant species and wildlife like white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bobcats. Biking, hiking, and equestrian trails help you take in all the sights on the surface
6. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Key West, Florida
Situated at the tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park ranks as the southernmost state park in the continental United States. Tour guides, historic reenactors, and interpretative panels help families learn about the history of the fort that dates from the 1840s and houses the largest cache of Civil War armament in the world. It was one of only three fortresses in Florida to remain under federal control during the Civil War and stayed on active-duty status through 1947.
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It's also one of the best Florida state parks for birdwatchers and is home to a much-loved white sand beach where you can swim, snorkel, and paddle. Anglers can cast a line from the park’s rock jetty.
7. Camp Helen State Park
Panama City Beach, Florida
This 180-acre Florida state park in Panama City Beach sits between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida. Coastal dune lakes can only be found in Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar, Oregon, and Florida, and at Camp Helen you can rent kayaks and paddle boards (or bring your own) to explore this rare natural occurrence.
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While on the water or exploring the park on foot, you might spot wildlife ranging from river otters and dolphins to white-tailed deer and snowy plovers. A free walking tour guide offers information about the historic buildings on-site that were part of a former vacation resort.
8. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Micanopy, Florida
Just south of Gainesville in Micanopy, Paynes Prairie Preserve state park offers almost 23,000 acres to explore via more than 30 miles of hiking trails. The Bolen Bluff Trail or Cones Dike Trail are good options if you want to try to spot some of the park’s wild-roaming American bison. Wild horses also call the park home, along with almost 300 species of birds and other wildlife.
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A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitors’ center offers a bird's eye view of the open prairie (and maybe a chance to spy some of the park's unique animal residents). You can also canoe and fish on the 300-acre Lake Wauburg, where bass, bream, and speckled perch are often caught.
9. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Copeland, Florida
If you dream of seeing creatures like the Florida panther, American crocodile, or Everglades mink, head to 80,000-acre Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, the largest state park in Florida. The park's linear swamp forest is known as "the Amazon of North America" and is home to animal and plant life rarely found elsewhere in the country. More than 40 native orchids and 14 native bromeliad species can be spotted here, along with animals like Florida black bears, Eastern indigo snakes, and diamondback terrapins.
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Located in Copeland in eastern Collier County, this Florida state park is divided up into four main use areas that offer hiking and biking trails, a canoe launch, and a 2,500-foot-long boardwalk ideal for alligator spotting. Guided swamp walks are also offered for visitors who really want to dip their toes into the unique ecosystem.
10. Big Shoals State Park
White Springs, Florida
Florida is generally pretty flat. But at this Florida state park that’s about an hour from Jacksonville and Gainesville, you can enjoy the views from the limestone bluffs standing 80 feet above the Suwannee River. A kid-friendly mile long hike on the Big Shoals Trail will take you to the scenic overlook at Big Shoals State Park.
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The Big Shoals rapids earn a Class III Whitewater classification when the water level on the Suwannee River is between 59 and 61 feet above mean sea level. (Only experienced canoers and kayakers should try their hand at them.) More than 28 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through the state park, offering opportunities to observe pileated woodpeckers, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, and other birds and wildlife.
These 10 Florida state parks prove there’s more to the Sunshine State than beaches and theme parks originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas; family vacation spots; all-inclusive family resorts; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida state parks: top 10 to check out on your next family trip
