Florida is a state known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather, but it’s also home to some of the best national and state parks in the country. With over 160 state parks and 11 national parks, Florida offers a diverse range of outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages.
Whether you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of the Everglades, hike through the stunning landscapes of the Bradwell Bay Wilderness, or immerse yourself in history at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Florida has something for everyone. From the panhandle to the southernmost point of Key West, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 state parks in Florida that are a must-visit for any nature lover or outdoor enthusiast. From the iconic beaches of Bahia Honda State Park to the crystal-clear waters of Blue Spring State Park, we’ll explore the unique features and attractions that make each park a special destination. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore the natural wonders of the Sunshine State.
Top 10 State Parks in Florida
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Myakka River State Park
- Anastasia State Park
- Blue Springs State Park
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Henderson Beach State Park
- Grayton Beach State Park
- Lovers Key State Park
- Falling Waters State Park
- John D. MacArthur State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Key Largo, Florida. The park covers more than 70 nautical square miles and is named after John D. Pennekamp, a local newspaper editor who led the fight to protect the Florida Keys’ coral reefs.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even sharks. Visitors can take a guided snorkeling or scuba diving tour to explore the reefs and their inhabitants.
In addition to its reefs, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including several species of birds and reptiles. The park has several nature trails that wind through the surrounding forests and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is also home to several historic sites, including the remnants of the SS Benwood, a shipwreck that is now a popular spot for scuba diving.
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is a natural area located in Sarasota County, Florida. The park covers more than 37,000 acres and is named after the Myakka River, which runs through the park.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful river, which is a popular destination for kayaking and canoeing. Visitors can also take a guided airboat tour to explore the river and its surroundings.
In addition to its river, Myakka River State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, deer, and a wide variety of bird species. The park has several nature trails that wind through the surrounding forests and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Myakka River State Park is also home to several historic sites, including the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walkway, which offers visitors a unique view of the park’s canopy and wildlife.
Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park is a beautiful natural area located in St. Augustine, Florida. The park covers more than 1,600 acres and is named after the nearby Anastasia Island.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful beach, which is considered one of the best in the St. Augustine area. The beach features soft sand and crystal-clear water, and is a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing.
In addition to its beach, Anastasia State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea turtles, which nest on the beach during the summer months. The park has a nature center that offers educational programs and exhibits on the local ecology and wildlife.
Anastasia State Park is also a popular spot for hiking and biking, as the park has several nature trails that wind through the surrounding forests and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also has a fishing pier and a boat ramp for visitors who want to explore the nearby waters.
Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Orange City, Florida. The park covers more than 2,600 acres and is named after the Blue Spring, which is one of the largest springs in Florida and the largest on the St. Johns River.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful spring, which features crystal-clear water and is a popular destination for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors can also take a guided snorkeling tour to explore the underwater world of the spring.
In addition to its spring, Blue Spring State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including manatees, which can be seen in the spring during the winter months. The park has a boardwalk that leads to a viewing area where visitors can watch the manatees in their natural habitat.
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is a beautiful natural area located in the Florida Keys, between Marathon and Key West. The park covers more than 500 acres and is named after the Bahia Honda Key, which is one of the park’s main attractions.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful beach, which is considered one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. The beach features soft sand and crystal-clear water, and is a popular destination for swimming and snorkeling.
In addition to its beach, Bahia Honda State Park is also home to a variety of historic sites, including the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, which was built in the early 1900s to connect the Florida Keys to the mainland. Visitors can also explore the park’s nature trails, which wind through the mangroves and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Fort Zachery Taylor State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Key West, Florida. The park covers 54 acres and is named after the historic Fort Zachary Taylor, which was built in the mid-1800s to protect the United States from foreign invasion.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and fishing. The park’s main attraction is its beautiful beach, which is considered one of the best in Key West. The beach features crystal-clear water and soft sand, and is a popular destination for swimming and snorkeling.
In addition to its beach, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is also home to a variety of historic sites, including the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which offers guided tours of the historic fort. Visitors can also explore the park’s nature trails, which wind through the mangroves and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is a beautiful natural area located in the Florida Panhandle, near the town of Santa Rosa Beach. The park covers 2,000 acres of pristine coastal habitat, including white sand beaches, coastal dune lakes, and pine forests.
The park’s main attraction is its stunning beach, which is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States. The beach features sugar-white sand and crystal-clear water, and is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Visitors can also explore the park’s nature trails, which wind through the pine forests and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Grayton Beach State Park is also home to several rare coastal dune lakes, which are unique bodies of water that are only found in a few places in the world. The lakes are home to a variety of wildlife, including fish, turtles, and a wide variety of bird species.
Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Southwest Florida, near the town of Fort Myers Beach. The park consists of 712 acres of pristine barrier islands, mangrove forests, and estuaries, and is named after its history as a secluded spot for lovers to escape to.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, sunbathing, shelling, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore the park’s nature trails, which wind through the mangroves and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also features a two-mile stretch of pristine beach, which is considered one of the best beaches in the area.
In addition to its natural beauty, Lovers Key State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, and a wide variety of bird species. Visitors can take a guided kayak tour through the estuaries and mangrove tunnels to get a closer look at the park’s unique ecosystem.
Falling Waters State Park
Falling Waters State Park is a beautiful natural area located in the Florida Panhandle, near Chipley in Washington County. The park is named after its main attraction, a 73-foot waterfall that drops into a deep, circular sinkhole, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in Florida. The sinkhole is believed to have been formed by the collapse of an underground cave system.
The park covers 171 acres of rolling hills, forests, and wetlands, and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, fishing, and camping. The park’s nature trails wind through the woods and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the waterfall and sinkhole. There is also a boardwalk that leads to the base of the waterfall, where visitors can get a closer look at the natural wonder.
In addition to the waterfall, Falling Waters State Park is also home to a historic grist mill that dates back to the 1800s. The mill was used to grind corn and wheat into flour for the local community and is now a popular attraction for visitors.
John D. MacArthur State Park
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Palm Beach County, Florida. It covers 438 acres of pristine coastal habitat, including a two-mile stretch of beach, mangrove forests, and estuaries. The park is named after John D. MacArthur, a philanthropist and businessman who donated the land to the state of Florida in the 1970s.
The park offers a wide range of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore the park’s nature trails, which wind through the mangroves and offer stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The park also features a nature center with exhibits on the local ecology and wildlife.
