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List of Florida state parks
List of Florida state parks
List of Florida state parks
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map of Florida with counties outlined; red dots indicate location of state parks

Map of State Parks of Florida
Hold cursor over locations to display park name,
click to go to park article.

There are 175[1] state parks and 9 state trails in the U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than 800,000 acres (320,000 ha),[2] providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists.

Almost half of the state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, often styled, "Friends of {park name} State Park, Inc.".[3] In 2015, some 29,356 volunteers donated nearly 1.3 million hours to enhance the parks for approximately 31 million visitors. There is a mostly nominal admission to nearly all Florida's state parks, although separate fees are charged for the use of cabins, marinas, campsites, etc. Florida's state parks offer 3,613 family campsites, 186 cabins, thousands of picnic tables, 100 miles (160 km) of beaches, and over 2,600 miles (4,200 km) of trails.[3]

The Florida Park Service is the division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responsible for the operation of Florida State Parks, and won the Gold Medal honoring the best state park system in the country in 1999 and 2005 from the National Recreation and Park Association. They were also finalists in the 1997 and 2011 competitions.[4] The Park Service was awarded the gold medal again in October 2013, making it the only three-time winner.[2][5] In 2019, they received the gold medal award again, resulting in them being the first four-time winner.[6] The parks are open year-round and offer diverse activities beyond fishing, hiking and camping. Many parks offer facilities for birding or horseback riding; there are several battle reenactments; and freshwater springs and beaches are Florida's gems. According to the Florida Park Service website, their goal "is to help create a sense of place by showing park visitors the best of Florida's diverse natural and cultural sites. Florida's state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by this and future generations through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida."[3]

Several state parks were formerly private tourist attractions purchased by the state of Florida to preserve their natural environment. These parks include the Silver Springs State Park, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Rainbow Springs State Park, and Weeki Wachee Springs. There are state parks in 58 of Florida's 67 counties.[7] Nine of the 175 parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Four are "conservation areas" (reserve, preserve, or wildlife refuge); three are "Historical/Archaeological sites"; one is a fishing pier and one is a recreation area.[8] Seven parks are mostly undeveloped with few or no facilities; 10 parks are accessible only by private boat or ferry;[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and 13 parks contain National Natural Landmarks.[8] Additionally, there are eleven national parks and service sites in Florida locations[19] under control of the National Park Service.[20]

Florida State Parks are supported by tax dollars (document stamps), user fees, and to a much smaller extent charitable contributions. Many state parks have an associated local non-profit corporation. Most parks charge an entrance fee. Residents can purchase an annual entrance pass that is valid at any of the parks. Camping is available in campsites in some of the parks. All reservations for park facilities are handled through the private corporation ReserveAmerica. The Florida State Parks website (floridastateparks.org) provides an updated online guide to all parks.

Development plans by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

[edit]

On 19 August 2024 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced plans[21] to build golf courses and 350-room lodges on state park lands.[22]

In statements to the Tampa Bay Times and in posts to social media, the agency claimed that the construction of a golf course on vulnerable scrub habitat will be done in a way to "minimize habitat impacts". A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, defended the plans, saying "it's high time we made public lands more accessible to the public." DeSantis, an enthusiastic golfer, controls the Department of Environmental Protection, and has increased his influence over the agency in comparison to former governors. In an unprecedented move that critics said violated state law, he unilaterally appointed its secretary without approval by other members of the Florida Cabinet.[22]

The Tampa Bay Times also reported that US Senators Rick Scott (R) and Marco Rubio (R) joined local officials in criticizing the governor and the accelerated process driving state plans to develop golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The park, on the Atlantic coast of Florida, contains the largest area of protected scrub jay habitat in southeast Florida.[23]

An unusual bipartisan showing of elected officials in the state Legislature, Cabinet and the US Congress expressed opposition to the plans, which include the construction of disc golf courses, pickleball courts, and cabins. Three of the affected parks are in the Panhandle district in Panama City represented by state senator Jay Trumbull (R). He wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that he remains in "strong opposition" and exhorted other lawmakers in the legislature to follow suit. Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who has lobbied in the state legislature to increase conservation land, said: "Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. From what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form." Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said that he had learned from media reports about the state park development plan, and that he has "serious concerns". He issued a statement saying, "(We) have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure on state parks. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should."[22]

Environmental groups and former park officials agreed that the agency was trying to limit the public comment-gathering process. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Eric Draper, who served as the director of Florida's state parks between 2017 and 2021, stated that it appeared that the agency sidestepped the legal process. The Times also noted that Albert Gregory, the former state chief of park planning, said the state was "hop-scotching some important steps".[23]

Florida state parks and reserves

[edit]

Note: The table of contents only applies when the list is sorted by park name.

  • "Year" refers to the year the park was opened. If that date is not available, the year the state acquired the property will be used.[24]
  • Left mouse click on the up/down arrows to sort the list by that column. Photo and remarks are unsortable.
Park Name County or Counties[24] Size[24] Year Established[24] Water Body(s)[24] Image Remarks
Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park Volusia 134.51 acres (54.43 ha) 1939 Tomoka River Ruins of a 19th-century plantation owned by John Addison
Alafia River State Park Hillsborough 6,312 acres (2,556 ha) 1996 Alafia River Former phosphorus strip mine unremediated[25]
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Leon 1,180 acres
(478 ha)		 1954 Lake Hall Originally named Killearn Gardens State Park[26]
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park Polk 8,065 acres (3,266 ha) 1991 unnamed ponds Home to rare scrub habitat for wildlife
Amelia Island State Park Nassau 230 acres
(93 ha)		 1983 Nassau Sound
Atlantic Ocean		 Horseback riding is permitted on the beach
Anastasia State Park St. Johns 1,600 acres
(648 ha)		 1949 Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Dora connected Anastasia Island and Conch Island in 1964
Anclote Key Preserve State Park Pasco 403 acres
(163 ha)		 1997 Gulf of Mexico Accessible only by ferry or boat[9]
Avalon State Park St. Lucie 650 acres
(263 ha)		 1987 Atlantic Ocean Used for frogman training during World War II
Bahia Honda State Park Monroe 524 acres
(212 ha)		 1961 Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Mexico		 An island in the lower Florida Keys
Bald Point State Park Franklin 4,065 acres (1,646 ha) 1999 Gulf of Mexico Amphibious landing exercises held during World War II
The Barnacle Historic State Park Miami-Dade 5 acres
(2 ha)		 1973 Biscayne Bay Oldest house in Coconut Grove; built in 1891[27]
Big Lagoon State Park Escambia 705 acres
(285 ha)		 1977 Big Lagoon Start of the Great Florida Birding Trail
Big Shoals State Park Hamilton 3,772 acres
(1,528 ha)		 1989 Suwannee River Largest whitewater Class III rapids in Florida
Big Talbot Island State Park Duval 1,600 acres
(648 ha)		 1949 Atlantic Ocean Part of Talbot Islands State Parks
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Miami-Dade 400 acres
(162 ha)		 1967 Atlantic Ocean Home to the Cape Florida Light on Key Biscayne
Blackwater River State Park Santa Rosa 590 acres
(239 ha)		 1967 Blackwater River Home to 1982 Florida Champion Atlantic white cedar tree
Blue Spring State Park Volusia 2,600 acres (1,053 ha) 1972 St. Johns River Largest spring on the St. Johns River and a designated manatee refuge
Bulow Creek State Park Volusia 5,600 acres
(2,268 ha)		 1981 Bulow Creek 400-year-old Fairfield oak and 11 plantation sites
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park Flagler 150 acres
(61 ha)		 1945 Bulow Creek Extensive stone ruins[28]
Caladesi Island State Park Pinellas 2,450 acres
(992 ha)		 1966 Gulf of Mexico Ferry available, 108-slip marina[17]
Camp Helen State Park Bay 185 acres
(75 ha)		 1996 Lake Powell
Gulf of Mexico		 Day use park formerly used as private resort
Cayo Costa State Park Lee 2,426 acres
(983 ha)		 1976 Gulf of Mexico Accessible only by ferry or boat - primitive cabins[18]
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve Levy 5,028 acres
(2,036 ha)		 1978 Gulf of Mexico Very limited facilities
Cedar Key Museum State Park Levy 19 acres
(8 ha)		 1960 Gulf of Mexico The St. Clair Whitman house depicts life in Cedar Key circa 1920
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park Charlotte 42,518 acres
(17,220 ha)		 1978 Gasparilla Pass
Charlotte Harbor		 Very limited facilities
Collier-Seminole State Park Collier 6,430 acres (2,604 ha) 1947 Gulf of Mexico National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the Bay City Walking Dredge used to build the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades
Colt Creek State Park Polk 5,067 acres (2,052 ha) 2007 several small lakes and creeks Part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve
Constitution Convention Museum State Park Gulf 13 acres
(5 ha)		 1956 none, but near St. Joseph Bay Site where first Florida Constitution was drafted in 1838
Crystal River Archaeological State Park Citrus 61 acres
(25 ha)		 1965 Crystal River National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest continuously occupied pre-Columbian sites in Florida
Crystal River Preserve State Park Citrus 30,000 acres (12,150 ha) 2004 Crystal River Rare spring-fed estuary
Curry Hammock State Park Monroe 1,000 acres
(405 ha)		 1991 Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Mexico		 Named for a Miami teacher whose family owned key land
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park Sumter 80 acres
(32 ha)		 1921 none Second Seminole War battle where 105 of 108 troops were massacred by 180 Native Americans
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park Monroe 2,421 acres
(981 ha)		 1982 Atlantic Ocean Park's name changed in 2001 to honor park activist
De Leon Springs State Park Volusia 600 acres
(243 ha)		 1982 Crystal River "Old Methuselah" is a 500-year-old bald cypress; previously a private park with Jungle Cruise; 19 million gallons (72 million liters) of 72 °F (22 °C) water daily
DeSoto Site Historic State Park Leon 5 acres
(2 ha)		 2003 none Site of Hernando de Soto 1539 encampment and Gov. John W. Martin House
Deer Lake State Park Walton 1,995 acres
(808 ha)		 1996 Gulf of Mexico
Deer Lake		 Very rare freshwater lake among coastal dunes
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Collier 166 acres
(67 ha)		 1981 Cocohatchee River
Gulf of Mexico		 Barrier island with white sugar sand beach
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park Alachua 67 acres
(27 ha)		 1974 sinkhole pond 120-foot (36.6 m) deep, 500-foot (152.4 m) wide sinkhole accessed by 232 step stairway
Don Pedro Island State Park Charlotte 230 acres
(93 ha)		 1985 Gulf of Mexico Barrier island accessible only by boat or ferry[14]
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park Broward 310 acres
(126 ha)		 1973 Atlantic Ocean Formerly known as John U Loyd State Park
Dudley Farm Historic State Park Alachua 325 acres
(132 ha)		 1989 none Shows agricultural development in Florida from the 1850s through the mid-1940s
Dunns Creek State Park Putnam 6,000 acres
(2,430 ha)		 2001 St. Johns River
Dunns Creek		 Steamboat stop during the 1920s
Econfina River State Park Taylor 4,543 acres
(1,840 ha)		 1989 Econfina River Confederate deserters camped here and assisted Union blockcade ships during the Civil War
Eden Gardens State Park Walton 163 acres
(66 ha)		 1968 Tucker Bayou Restored plantation house with Louis XVI style furniture
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park Wakulla 6,000 acres
(2,430 ha)		 1968 Wakulla River One of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world
Egmont Key State Park Hillsborough 328 acres
(133 ha)		 1974 Tampa Bay The ruins of Fort Dade and Egmont Key Light are inside the park
Estero Bay Preserve State Park Lee 10,000 acres (4,050 ha) 1974 Estero Bay The first aquatic nature preserve established in Florida
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park Collier 75,000 acres (30,375 ha) 1975 none Part of the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades
Falling Waters State Park Washington 171 acres
(69 ha)		 1962 2-acre pond Contains a 73-foot (22.3 m) waterfall, tallest in Florida
Fanning Springs State Park Gilchrist 1,427 acres
(578 ha)		 1997 Fanning Springs
Suwannee River		 A first magnitude spring purchased by the state in 1993
Faver-Dykes State Park St. Johns 6,045 acres (2,448 ha) 1950 Pellicer Creek A wilderness area
Florida Caverns State Park Jackson 1,300 acres
(527 ha)		 1942 Chipola River The only Florida state park with public cave tours
Forest Capital Museum State Park Taylor 14 acres
(6 ha)		 1967 none Includes a late 1800s Florida cracker homestead
Fort Clinch State Park Nassau 1,427 acres
(578 ha)		 1935 Amelia River Construction of Fort Clinch began in 1847
Fort Cooper State Park Citrus 710 acres
(287 ha)		 1977 Lake Holathlikaha On the Withlacoochee State Trail
Fort Foster State Historic Site Hillsborough 30 acres
(12 ha)		 1935 none Part of Hillsborough River State Park; replica fort built in 1972
Fort George Island Cultural State Park Duval 1,600 acres
(648 ha)		 1949 Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Dora connected Anastasia Island and Conch Island in 1964
Fort Mose Historic State Park St. Johns 24 acres
(10 ha)		 2005 none National Historic Landmark originally known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mosé
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park St. Lucie 340 acres
(138 ha)		 1973 Tucker Cove
Atlantic Ocean		 Used for frogman training during World War II
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Monroe 87 acres
(35 ha)		 1974 Straits of Florida Pre-civil war fort abandoned, restoration began in the late 1960s by volunteers
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Okaloosa 357 acres
(145 ha)		 1966 Rocky Bayou Named in honor of United States Air Force Colonel who preserved site
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail Alachua 16 miles
(26 km)		 1989 Boulware Springs Passes through Paynes Prairie
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Manatee 87 acres
(35 ha)		 1927 Manatee River Sole surviving antebellum mansion in south Florida, once a 3,500-acre (1,416 ha) sugarcane plantation
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach Flagler 144 acres
(58 ha)		 1961 Atlantic Ocean Renamed from Flagler Beach State Recreation Area in 1992
Gasparilla Island State Park Charlotte
Lee		 128 acres
(52 ha)		 1983 Charlotte Harbor Gasparilla Island Lights were lit in 1890
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier Duval 8,000 ft
(2,440 m)		 1999 Nassau Sound
Atlantic Ocean		 Pedestrian-only fishing bridge
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Gilchrist 407 acres
(165 ha)		 2017 Santa Fe River Several springs in the park, including a second magnitude spring with 44 million gallons (167 million liters) per day.
Grayton Beach State Park Walton 2,200 acres
(891 ha)		 1968 Western Lake
Gulf of Mexico		 Popular pristine beach offers cabins & camping, boating, fishing and trails
Henderson Beach State Park Okaloosa 222 acres
(90 ha)		 1983 Gulf of Mexico U.S. Air Force Clausen Tracking site until 1951
Highlands Hammock State Park Highlands 9,000 acres
(3,640 ha)		 1931 none One of the highest ranking parks in Florida for endemic biodiversity
Hillsborough River State Park Hillsborough 3,383 acres
(1,370 ha)		 1935 Hillsborough River Fort Foster is inside the park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Citrus 210 acres
(85 ha)		 1984 Homosassa River Home to numerous manatees
Honeymoon Island State Park Pinellas 2,785 acres
(1,128 ha)		 1975 Gulf of Mexico Easily accessible by bridge from Dunedin
Hontoon Island State Park Volusia
Lake		 1,648 acres
(667 ha)		 1960 St. Johns River
Hontoon Dead River		 Accessible only by ferry or boat[10]
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Broward 180 acres
(73 ha)		 1941 Atlantic Ocean Park is in the middle of urban Fort Lauderdale
Ichetucknee Springs State Park Columbia 2,241 acres
(908 ha)		 1972 Ichetucknee River Drift tubing and certified cave diving
Indian Key Historic State Park Monroe 10 acres
(4 ha)		 1972 Atlantic Ocean First county seat for Dade County; accessible only by boat[11]
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Palm Beach 325 acres
(132 ha)		 1989 Lake Worth
Atlantic Ocean		 A gift from John D. MacArthur to the people of Florida
John Gorrie Museum State Park Franklin 1 acres
(0 ha)		 1958 none Physician John Gorrie patented the first mechanical refrigeration process (air conditioning)
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Monroe 53,000 acres
(21,465 ha)		 1963 Atlantic Ocean First underwater park in the United States
Jonathan Dickinson State Park Martin 11,500 acres
(4,658 ha)		 1950 Loxahatchee River Formerly a top-secret radar training school during WWII; now hosts the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education & Research Center
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Okeechobee 54,000 acres (21,870 ha) 1997 none The U.S. Army used the land to train B-17 bomber crews during World War II
Koreshan State Historic Site Lee 135 acres
(55 ha)		 1983 Estero River Home of the Koreshan Unity group
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Lafayette 702 acres
(284 ha)		 2005 Suwannee River First magnitude spring with 168 million gallons (636 million liters) per day
Lake Griffin State Park Lake 578 acres
(234 ha)		 1968 Dead River
Oklawaha River		 Connects Oklawaha to Lake Griffin
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park Leon 100 acres
(41 ha)		 1966 St. Marks River Fort Walton Culture capital from 1050 to 1500
Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park Highlands 845 acres
(342 ha)		 1995 Lake June in Winter Limited facilities; still under development
Lake Kissimmee State Park Polk 5,930 acres (2,402 ha) 1977 Lake Kissimmee The 1876 Cow Camp is a living history site with Cracker Cowboys
Lake Louisa State Park Lake 4,372 acres (1,771 ha) 1974 Lake Louisa Park includes the Green Swamp and six lakes
Lake Manatee State Park Manatee 556 acres
(225 ha)		 1970 Lake Manatee 60-site campground was opened in 1986
Lake Talquin State Park Leon
Gadsden		 526 acres
(213 ha)		 1971 Lake Talquin Lake Talquin is a 10,000 acre (4,047 ha) reservoir created by the Jackson Bluff Dam on the Ochlockonee River
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park Jefferson 188 acres
(76 ha)		 1998 Lake Miccosukee Site of the tallest prehistoric, Native American ceremonial earthwork mound in Florida
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Monroe 10,481 acres
(4,245 ha)		 1971 Florida Bay
Gulf of Mexico		 Access via private boat or tour boat; daily visitors are limited[12]
Little Manatee River State Park Hillsborough 2,433 acres
(985 ha)		 1974 Little Manatee River Park includes equestrian trails and campsites
Little Talbot Island State Park Duval 1,600 acres
(648 ha)		 1949 Atlantic Ocean Part of Talbot Islands State Parks
Long Key State Park Monroe 965 acres
(391 ha)		 1969 Atlantic Ocean Grand resort was destroyed by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935
Lovers Key State Park Lee 712 acres
(288 ha)		 1983 Gulf of Mexico Lovers Key State Park merged with Carl Johnson County Park in 1996
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park Lake
Seminole		 17,405 acres
(7,049 ha)		 1976 Wekiva River
St. Johns River		 Wildlife corridor to the Ocala National Forest
Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site Manatee 10 acres
(4 ha)		 1970 Tampa Bay Named for the owners who donated it to the state in 1948
Madison Blue Spring State Park Madison 1 acres
(1 ha)		 2000 Withlacoochee River First magnitude spring
Manatee Springs State Park Levy 2,443 acres
(989 ha)		 1949 Suwannee River First magnitude spring
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park Alachua 99 acres
(40 ha)		 1970 none 1930s farm and citrus orchard
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Clay 2,000 acres
(810 ha)		 1935 Little Lake Johnson Hiking and Equestrian trails
Mound Key Archaeological State Park Lee 113 acres
(46 ha)		 1970 Estero Bay Accessible only by boat - no facilities[13]
Myakka River State Park Sarasota
Manatee		 37,000 acres
(14,985 ha)		 1941 Myakka River
Upper Myakka Lake		 Land partly donated by Bertha Palmer, pioneer farmer, rancher & developer
Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park Leon 113 acres
(46 ha)		 1949 St. Marks River Site of the second largest Civil War battle in Florida
North Peninsula State Park Volusia 534 acres
(216 ha)		 1984 Atlantic Ocean Metal pieces from the wreck of the North Western, which sank prior to World War II, have emerged on the beach
Okeechobee Battlefield State Park Okeechobee 211 acres
(85 ha)		 2007 Lake Okeechobee Battle site during the Second Seminole War
O'Leno State Park Columbia 6,000 acres
(2,430 ha)		 1940 Santa Fe River Many facilities built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s
Ochlockonee River State Park Wakulla 392 acres
(159 ha)		 1970 Ochlockonee River
Dead River		 Many older trees show scars from turpentine industry
Oleta River State Park Miami-Dade 1,043 acres
(422 ha)		 1986 Oleta River
Biscayne Bay		 Park has high numbers of the invasive species Casuarina (Australian pine)
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Baker 43 acres
(17 ha)		 1949 none First State Historic Monument in 1909
Orman House Historic State Park Franklin 1 acres
(1 ha)		 2001 Apalachicola River House built in 1838
Oscar Scherer State Park Sarasota 1,400 acres
(567 ha)		 1956 South Creek
Lake Osprey		 Major habitat of the Florida Scrub Jay
Paynes Creek Historic State Park Hardee 410 acres
(166 ha)		 1981 Paynes Creek Site of Fort Chokonikla and the Kennedy-Darling trading post during the Seminole Wars
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Alachua 21,000 acres
(8,505 ha)		 1971 Lake Wauburg Savanna formerly occupied by Seminole Indians
Perdido Key State Park Escambia 290 acres
(117 ha)		 1978 Gulf of Mexico A barrier island
Price's Scrub State Park Marion 962.28 acres
(389.42 ha)		 2002 Sinkhole lakes Contains woodland, marsh, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and sinkhole lakes
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Holmes 420 acres
(170 ha)		 1970 Mill Creek
Sandy Creek		 14 million gallons (53 million liters) of 68 °F (20 °C) water outflow daily
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park Duval 3,896 acres
(1,578 ha)		 2003 Atlantic Ocean Part of Talbot Islands State Parks
Rainbow Springs State Park Marion 1,472 acres
(596 ha)		 1990 Rainbow River 600 million gallons (2.3 billion liters) of 68 °F (20 °C) water outflow daily
Ravine Gardens State Park Putnam 59 acres
(24 ha)		 1934 St. Johns River Gardens built by Works Progress Administration in 1933
River Rise Preserve State Park Columbia 4,500 acres
(1,823 ha)		 1974 Santa Fe River Location where Santa Fe River reemerges after 3 miles (4.8 km) underground
Rock Springs Run State Reserve Lake 14,150 acres
(5,731 ha)		 1983 Wekiva River Joins Wekiwa Spring run to create the Wekiva River
Royal Palm State Park Miami-Dade 4,000 acres
(1,620 ha)		 1916 Everglades Became the nucleus of Everglades National Park in 1934
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park Alachua 7,360 acres
(2,981 ha)		 1974 small water bodies A mature Florida forest and wildlife habitat with hiking, biking, and horse trails
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park Wakulla 17 acres
(7 ha)		 1964 Wakulla River
St. Marks River		 History of this national landmark dates to 1528
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park Monroe 644 acres
(261 ha)		 1989 Atlantic Ocean Dutch-built ship sank in a hurricane on July 13, 1733
Savannas Preserve State Park St. Lucie
Martin		 6,000 acres
(2,430 ha)		 1977 Indian River Area around Jensen Beach was known as the "Pineapple Capital of the World" from 1895 to 1920
Seabranch Preserve State Park Martin 7,360 acres
(2,981 ha)		 1992 Indian River lagoon Four different natural habitats within short distance
Sebastian Inlet State Park Brevard
Indian River		 755 acres
(306 ha)		 1970 Sebastian Inlet Park never closes; second most visited Florida park
Silver Springs State Park Marion 5,000 acres
(2,025 ha)		 1987 Silver River The headspring area was the focal point of Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, a now-defunct commercial attraction
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park Hillsborough
Manatee		 26,000 ft
(10,530 m)		 1994 Tampa Bay Utilizes approaches to old Sunshine Skyway Bridge, following the 1980 collision by MV Summit Venture and construction of a new bridge
St. Andrews State Park Bay 1,200 acres
(486 ha)		 1950 Gulf of Mexico
Grand Lagoon		 Named "America's Best Beach" in 1995
St. George Island State Park Franklin 1,962 acres
(795 ha)		 1963 Gulf of Mexico Named "6th Best Beach in America" for 2011 after Hurricane Dennis destroyed the facilities in 2005
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park Martin 928 acres
(376 ha)		 1965 Atlantic Ocean Barrier island accessible only by boat[15]
St. Marks River Preserve State Park Leon 2,589 acres
(1,049 ha)		 2007 St. Marks River The St. Marks River flows from the wetlands east of Tallahassee to the Gulf of Mexico
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Brevard
Indian River		 22,000 acres
(8,910 ha)		 1995 St. Sebastian River The Hernández–Capron Trail was built to link St. Augustine with Fort Pierce during the Second Seminole War
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Hamilton 800 acres
(324 ha)		 1950 Suwannee River Carillon tower with 97 tubular bells plays Foster's songs every day
Stump Pass Beach State Park Charlotte 245 acres
(99 ha)		 1971 Gulf of Mexico Day park consisting of three islands offer swimming and boating, shelling and hiking, fishing and diving
Suwannee River State Park Suwannee 1,800 acres
(729 ha)		 1951 Suwannee River
Withlacoochee River		 The 1860 Columbus Cemetery, pieces from an 1800s sawmill, and Civil War earthworks are points of interest
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Gulf 1,900 acres
(770 ha)		 1967 Gulf of Mexico Dedicated to the former owner, who sold it to the U.S. Army in World War II
Talbot Islands State Parks Duval 1949, 2003 Atlantic Ocean See Big Talbot Island State Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park.
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park Escambia 4,290 acres
(1,737 ha)		 1998 Perdido Bay Limited facilities; nature trails, picnic tables and a bathroom
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park Manatee 1,932 acres
(783 ha)		 2000? Tampa Bay Land acquired by the state and Southwest Florida Water Management District
Three Rivers State Park Jackson 686 acres
(278 ha)		 1955 Chattahoochee River; Flint River
Lake Seminole		 The 1947 Jim Woodruff Dam created Lake Seminole; the outflow is the Apalachicola River
Tomoka State Park Volusia 1,800 acres
(729 ha)		 1945 Tomoka River Urban park completely surrounded by development
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Walton 1,643 acres
(665 ha)		 1992 Gulf of Mexico Site of munitions testing range during World War II
Torreya State Park Liberty 13,737 acres
(5,563 ha)		 1935 Apalachicola River Park named after the endangered Torreya tree
Troy Spring State Park Suwannee
Lafayette		 84 acres
(34 ha)		 1995 Suwannee River First magnitude spring; the Civil War steamboat "Madison" was scuttled there in 1863
Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park Levy 30,784 acres (12,468 ha) 2005 Gulf of Mexico Accessible only by boat; no recreational facilities[16]
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Flagler 21 acres
(9 ha)		 1964 Atlantic Ocean Park has formal gardens, citrus groves and house
Weeki Wachee Springs Hernando 538 acres
(218 ha)		 2008 Weeki Wachee River The headspring area features underwater performances by female dancers in mermaid costumes
Wekiwa Springs State Park Orange 7,723 acres (3,128 ha) 1969 Wekiva River 42 million gallons (159 million liters) of 72 °F (22 °C) water outflow daily
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park Pasco 3,400 acres (1,377 ha) 2001 Gulf of Mexico Named for the Werner-Boyce Preserve purchased by Pasco County in 1994; undeveloped
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park Suwannee 733 acres
(297 ha)		 1986 Suwannee River 28,000 feet (8,534 m) of explored passageways make it one of the largest locations for cave diving in the U.S.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Monroe 32 acres
(13 ha)		 1986 Atlantic Ocean Quary provided Keystone (limestone) for the Overseas Railroad in 1908
Ybor City Museum State Park Hillsborough 1 acre
(0 ha)		 1976 none Shows the history of Tampa's cigar industry and Latin influence
Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park Duval 1,600 acres
(648 ha)		 1949 Atlantic Ocean Confederate camp constructed during the American Civil War
Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park Santa Rosa 11,000 acres
(4,455 ha)		 2000 Yellow River One of Florida's last remaining tracts of wet prairie; no recreation facilities
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park Citrus 6 acres
(2 ha)		 1953 Homosassa River Senator David Levy Yulee built the mill on his 5,100-acre (2,064 ha) plantation, Margarita, in 1851

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of Florida state parks

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from Grokipedia
The list of state parks catalogs the 175 parks, 9 state trails, and historic sites administered by the Florida Park Service, a division of the Florida Department of , which collectively preserve and provide access to over 815,000 acres of the state's varied ecosystems ranging from coastal beaches and freshwater springs to pine flatwoods and subtropical hammocks. Established by the in 1935 to safeguard natural resources and cultural heritage amid early 20th-century conservation efforts, the system emphasizes resource-based recreation such as , , , swimming, viewing, and historic site exploration while restricting development to maintain ecological integrity. These units, spanning diverse regions from the Panhandle's topography to the ' wetlands, serve over eight million annual visitors and underscore 's commitment to balancing public enjoyment with habitat protection against pressures like and . The parks' defining characteristics include unique geological features, such as the rare caverns at and the biodiverse reefs near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, fostering educational programs on native , , and indigenous histories that predate European settlement. Some of the most highly rated and popular parks, based on visitor reviews and travel sites, include:
  • Bahia Honda State Park (Florida Keys): Iconic beaches, snorkeling, and historic bridge ruins.
  • St. Andrews State Park (Panama City Beach area): Pristine beaches, dunes, trails, and snorkeling.
  • Henderson Beach State Park (Destin): Beautiful white-sand beaches and coastal dunes.
  • Myakka River State Park (Sarasota area): Wildlife viewing, airboat tours, canopy walkway, and one of Florida's oldest parks.
  • Silver Springs State Park (Ocala area): Famous glass-bottom boat tours on clear springs and kayaking.
  • Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Southeast Florida): River paddling, hiking, and diverse ecosystems.
Other notables include Ichetucknee Springs State Park (tubing), Blue Spring State Park (manatee viewing), and Wekiwa Springs State Park. Popularity can vary by season and preferences.

Historical Context

Origins and Early Expansion

The establishment of Florida's state park system began with localized preservation efforts in the early , driven by concerns over habitat loss from logging and agricultural expansion. , Florida's first designated state park, was created on November 23, 1916, encompassing 960 acres of subtropical hardwood hammock near Homestead, spearheaded by the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs in response to threats from drainage and development in the region. This initiative reflected pragmatic aims to safeguard unique ecosystems for recreational use and timber sustainability, rather than halting economic activity outright, as the clubs collaborated with private donors like Mrs. to match state lands. The park featured initial trails and an overlook but faced maintenance challenges, foreshadowing the need for a coordinated statewide approach. By the mid-1930s, amid the , the formalized the system on May 13, 1935, creating the Florida Park Service under the State Board of Forestry with an annual budget of $25,000 to manage eight initial parks, including Myakka River and Hillsborough River. This step addressed fragmented early efforts and escalating pressures from and resource extraction, prioritizing public access to natural areas for , , and to support local economies without undermining timber yields. The service's inception aligned with national conservation trends, emphasizing multipurpose that balanced preservation with extractive potentials like controlled . Expansion accelerated through state-federal partnerships, particularly via the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which from 1933 constructed essential infrastructure in nascent parks. In Torreya State Park, designated in 1935 along the Apalachicola River bluffs, CCC enrollees built roads, trails, cabins, and picnic facilities by the late 1930s, protecting rare torreya trees depleted by overlogging while enabling visitor amenities. Similar developments occurred at sites like Gold Head Branch, where spring-fed lakes and rustically styled lodges were added to promote sustainable recreation amid recovering pinelands. These efforts, funded federally but managed locally, yielded over 20 parks by 1942, focusing on inland sites to mitigate flood-prone lowlands and ensure long-term habitat viability for wildlife and timber regeneration. Into the 1940s, amid postwar surges, attention shifted to coastal acquisitions for beachfront preservation and public beaches, countering private development that risked eroding access to shorelines vital for and . Properties like Anastasia State Park were secured starting in 1949, with 1,600 acres along the Atlantic emphasizing dune stabilization and sustainable coastal yields over unchecked urbanization. This phase underscored resource management priorities, acquiring lands to prevent total while accommodating growing visitor demands without ideological opposition to growth.

Post-War Growth and Land Acquisitions

Following World War II, Florida's state park system experienced significant expansion driven by increasing recreational demand and strategic land purchases to support tourism and outdoor activities. In the late 1940s and 1950s, the state revived its parks program, which had been curtailed during the war, leading to accelerated acquisitions that addressed post-war population growth and leisure needs. By the 1960s and 1970s, legislative measures such as the 1968 $20 million bond program for outdoor recreation lands and the 1972 allocation of an additional $40 million facilitated key additions, including the initial purchase for Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park on June 14, 1974, under the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program. These efforts roughly doubled the system's managed acreage from pre-war levels of around 76,000 acres to over 150,000 by 1980, enabling expanded opportunities for hunting, fishing, and camping that contributed to rising state revenues from user fees and related economic activity. The 1990s and 2000s saw further data-informed growth through programs like CARL, which acquired more than 680,000 acres statewide since 1980, with portions integrated into state parks to safeguard and habitats essential for hurricane recovery and . Florida Forever, enacted in 1999 as CARL's successor, prioritized over 2.2 million acres for protection, including park expansions that linked conservation to practical benefits such as flood mitigation and recharge, directly supporting recreational access amid Florida's rapid . These acquisitions were guided by empirical assessments of land value for and public use, fostering revenue growth from recreation as visitor numbers surged, with parks generating measurable economic returns through activities like and viewing. In the 2020s, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continued targeted acquisitions verified through official records, such as expansions to Fakahatchee Strand Preserve adding parcels for panther and habitats in 2025, and additions to parks like River Rise Preserve for pond ecosystems and scrub-jay protection. These moves balanced preservation with sustained public access for and , reflecting causal priorities in maintaining revenue streams from —estimated to contribute over $250 million annually in state taxes—while countering development pressures on high-value ecological lands.

Administrative and Operational Framework

Role of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), through its Division of Recreation and Parks, serves as the primary state agency responsible for managing Florida's 175 state parks, greenways, and trails, with a mandate to protect and conserve natural and cultural resources while facilitating public and resource-based activities. This dual mandate requires balancing ecological preservation—such as restoration and control—with opportunities for activities like , , and viewing, ensuring parks remain accessible without compromising long-term environmental integrity. DEP coordinates with federal agencies on protections, incorporating measures to safeguard imperiled plants and animals within park boundaries as part of unit management plans. In executing this role, DEP employs adaptive management practices grounded in empirical outcomes, notably through prescribed burns conducted across state parks to mimic natural fire regimes, reduce fuel loads, and prevent more destructive wildfires. These controlled applications, performed under specified weather conditions by trained teams, have demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining ecosystem health, enhancing biodiversity, and lowering suppression costs compared to uncontrolled blazes; for instance, Florida State Parks achieved a record 200,000 acres treated in fiscal year 2018-2019 via this method. Such practices align with state environmental policies requiring review of potential impacts akin to federal standards, prioritizing causal mechanisms like fire's role in pine flatwoods regeneration over rigid procedural overlays that could delay interventions. DEP's park planning processes further enforce viability assessments, evaluating resource conditions and public use to inform adaptive strategies, though transfers of underutilized parcels to local entities remain infrequent and tied to demonstrated inefficiency in state-level stewardship. This framework underscores DEP's emphasis on outcome-oriented enforcement, where conservation efforts like monitoring and are integrated with recreational promotion, as seen in initiatives expanding access without necessitating expansive regulatory expansions. By focusing on verifiable ecological benefits—such as risk reduction through proactive burns—DEP avoids over-reliance on precautionary regulations that might hinder efficient land stewardship, aligning operations with evidence of sustained park viability and visitor safety.

Funding Mechanisms and Self-Sufficiency Efforts

Florida state parks derive a substantial portion of their operating funds from self-generated revenues, including entrance fees, camping reservations, and concessions, which are deposited into the State Parks Trust Fund pursuant to Florida Statute 258.014. These sources, supplemented by dedicated revenues such as documentary stamp taxes on transactions, have increasingly offset reliance on general state appropriations, which declined from 59 percent of operating costs in 1990 to 34 percent by 2011. By 2009, user fees and concessions already accounted for over 54 percent of the operating budget. This shift reflects a deliberate fiscal model emphasizing generation to minimize dependency on taxpayer-funded general revenues, with concessions alone supported by more than 90 statewide operations that produce direct income and employment while retaining funds for park maintenance. Self-sufficiency initiatives include partnerships with private concession operators, who manage activities such as rentals, merchandise sales, and food services under agreements that direct a portion of gross revenues back to the state, often structured as revenue-sharing or fixed compensation models. For instance, individual concession contracts, like those at Wekiwa Springs State Park, have generated millions in gross revenue over multi-year periods, with operators compensating the state through percentages or flat fees to support park operations. These arrangements test return on investment by leveraging private efficiency for revenue-neutral or positive outcomes, avoiding direct state subsidies for such ventures. Documentary stamp revenues further bolster the trust fund, covering approximately one-third of operating expenses and enabling parks to sustain core functions without proportional increases in appropriations. Natural disasters, including the 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, impose significant repair burdens on park infrastructure, exacerbating fiscal pressures and underscoring the need for expanded user-pay mechanisms over additional tax-funded appropriations. Such events damage facilities across multiple parks, as seen in closures and repairs at sites like Madison Blue Spring State Park, prompting reliance on trust fund reserves and calls for enhanced fee-based revenue to cover restoration without drawing disproportionately from general funds. This approach aligns with historical trends toward fiscal independence, where self-generated income has progressively filled gaps left by declining appropriation shares since 2010.

Economic and Societal Impact

Florida state parks recorded over 30 million visitors in 2024, marking sustained growth from prior years amid broader state records exceeding 140 million annual visitors. This upward trend reflects increasing domestic participation in , with parks serving primarily as affordable destinations for in-state residents engaging in activities like swimming, , and family outings rather than specialized eco-tourism. Visitation peaks seasonally in winter quarters, aligning with 's overall patterns where fourth-quarter arrivals rose to 33.1 million in 2024, driven by mild weather appealing to local working families and seasonal migrants. In 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton prompted widespread temporary closures, affecting up to 167 of 175 parks at the storms' peaks and causing localized dips in attendance; recovery was swift, with 120 parks reopening post-Milton and strike teams deployed for assessments, enabling quick rebounds in usage. Visitor demographics, drawn from participation studies, skew toward families and anglers, with freshwater attracting a of white male participants matching national patterns, while family-oriented passes facilitate group day visits for broad . Day-use dominates attendance, emphasizing low-barrier entry for casual , supplemented by overnight that supports extended family and trips. Digital reservation systems, mandatory at select high-demand parks, enforce no-show policies by holding sites until the day after scheduled arrival, thereby minimizing wasted capacity and enhancing availability for genuine users. Initiatives promoting equity include July's Month, waiving all day-use and admission fees, alongside programs issuing free passes to cardholders for up to eight , which broaden access for working-class families without annual passes. These measures counter critiques of entry barriers, prioritizing inclusive public use over revenue maximization.

Contributions to Economy and Local Communities

Florida state parks generate substantial localized economic benefits through visitor spending on accommodations, dining, fuel, and recreational services, as quantified by input-output models in the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) annual economic impact assessments. These models account for direct expenditures, indirect effects via supply chains, and induced spending from employee wages, revealing multiplier effects that amplify initial outlays across regional economies. In 2022-2023, the statewide park system produced over $3.6 billion in direct economic output, bolstering local tax bases with $241 million in revenue alone. Coastal parks exemplify concentrated regional impacts, with facilities like Anastasia State Park driving over $132 million in local economic activity and sustaining 1,854 jobs through tourism-related demand. Inland parks contribute by integrating with agrotourism, where natural buffers and trails draw visitors to nearby farms for activities such as u-pick operations and viewing, fostering hybrid revenue streams without displacing uses. Overall, the parks support more than 50,000 jobs statewide, encompassing direct roles in operations and concessions alongside indirect positions in and . State stewardship of parklands serves as a fiscal alternative to unchecked private development, preserving adjacent property values and tax revenues by maintaining open spaces that enhance desirability for residential and commercial zones. Conservation easements tied to park expansions limit sprawl-induced infrastructure burdens, allowing localities to capture steady ad valorem taxes from uplifted assessments rather than subsidizing rapid . These dynamics, evident in DEP acquisition strategies, yield a high return, with economic output far exceeding operational costs as visitor fees and concessions approach self-sufficiency targets.

Policy Debates and Management Challenges

Balancing Conservation and Public Access

Florida state parks employ Unit Management Plans, updated every 10 years, to maintain an equitable balance between resource preservation and recreational opportunities, incorporating assessments of ecological and public needs. These plans prioritize restoration, control, prescribed burns, and protection of while permitting activities such as hiking, boating, and camping in designated zones to minimize environmental impact. Empirical management demonstrates that such prevents net degradation from visitor traffic; for instance, trail systems enhance public engagement and without compromising , as evidenced by sustained native plant and animal communities in high-use areas. Over 98% of state-acquired conservation lands, including those within the park system, remain open to public access, reflecting a commitment to availability amid protection goals. metrics in parks, such as in coastal and upland ecosystems, have held steady despite annual visitation exceeding 30 million, attributable to that confines intensive to resilient zones while shielding sensitive habitats like wetlands and dunes. This approach counters zero-sum assumptions by enabling multipurpose —recreation generates user fees that fund conservation efforts, fostering public rather than alienation. Critics of overly restrictive policies argue that limitations on family-oriented amenities, such as expanded picnic areas or accessible paths, may reduce broad demographic participation, indirectly pressuring adjacent private lands toward intensive development. Utilitarian perspectives advocate selective interventions, like prescribed fires or habitat thinning analogous to practices in adjacent state lands, to sustain trails and vistas that bolster recreational value and long-term funding without ecological harm. In contrast, absolutist conservation views emphasize minimal human footprint to avert cumulative disturbances, though data indicate managed access correlates with stable ecological indicators rather than inevitable decline.

Recent Development Initiatives and Public Backlash

In August 2024, the Department of (DEP) unveiled proposals under the Great Outdoors Initiative to introduce revenue-generating amenities in nine state parks, including golf courses at , 350-room lodges at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, courts, and facilities, as a means to offset a billion-dollar maintenance backlog and promote self-sufficiency. Proponents within the administration contended that such developments mirrored low-impact existing features, like cabins and eco-lodges already present in parks such as , and would fund repairs without state taxpayer subsidies while enhancing recreational access. The plans faced swift opposition from environmental organizations, which highlighted potential habitat disruption in ecologically sensitive areas, including scrub ecosystems and coastal dunes, arguing that intensified commercial uses contradicted statutory conservation mandates. A key catalyst was the August 2024 leak of internal DEP documents by whistleblower James Gaddis, a cartographer who mapped proposed sites, revealing accelerated timelines for private concessions; Gaddis was terminated in early September 2024, prompting accusations of retaliation and demands for greater transparency in agency decision-making. Public protests and bipartisan criticism intensified, leading Governor to announce a pause on , 2024, directing revisions to prioritize "balance between recreation and preservation" rather than outright abandonment. Legislative backlash followed in 2025, with Senate Bill 80 and companion House Bill 209—the "State Park Preservation Act"—unanimously advancing requirements for public hearings on all land management plan amendments, prohibitions on new golf courses, hotels, and specified sporting facilities in state parks, and restrictions on concessions duplicating nearby private services. signed the measure into law on May 22, 2025, effectively curbing the scope of future DEP initiatives amid ongoing debates over revenue needs versus ecological integrity.

Comprehensive Park Catalog

Panhandle and Northwest Florida Parks

The Panhandle and Northwest Florida region features state parks that preserve systems, coastal barrier islands, and dune ecosystems, supporting activities like paddling, , and amid a local economy reliant on coastal fisheries and . These parks integrate with adjacent state forests, providing expanded opportunities for and , such as seasonal hunting quotas managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. High hurricane exposure defines the area, with storms causing widespread closures; for instance, following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, multiple parks shuttered for damage assessments, with partial reopenings occurring by late 2024 and into 2025 as infrastructure like boardwalks and trails underwent repairs.
  • Blackwater River State Park: Established in 1967 and expanded to 590 acres by 1981, this park centers on paddling and tubing along the tannin-stained , one of Florida's purest sand-and-gravel streams, with trails through pine and access to the adjacent 190,000-acre for hunting deer, turkey, and small game under permit. Visitor activities peak in summer for water-based recreation, drawing anglers targeting bass and in the river's clear flows.
  • Perdido Key State Park: Designated in 1980 across 247 acres on a , it protects undisturbed white-sand beaches and dunes supporting sea oats and shorebirds, with features like swimming, fishing for and from piers, and ranger-led programs on . The park's remote location underscores Panhandle vulnerabilities, including risks that closed sections after 2024 hurricanes.
  • Big Lagoon State Park: Spanning 700 acres since its 1977 establishment, it offers on brackish lagoons, for ospreys and , and trails through slash pine forests, with access enhancing local economies tied to Gulf species like speckled . Hurricane-prone coastal trails here required post-Helene repairs in 2024.
  • St. Andrews State Park: Acquired in 1949 and covering 1,200 acres including jetties and passes, it provides piers for saltwater fishing targeting mackerel and pompano, alongside swimming beaches and a 98-foot lighthouse tower for views of Panama Bay. Peak visitation occurs during spring break for its role in regional fishing charters.
  • Henderson Beach State Park: Established in 1969 over 208 acres, it safeguards coastal dunes with rare interdunal wetlands and sea oats, offering boardwalks for hiking and angling for surf species amid Destin's fishing hub. Dune restoration efforts counter erosion from frequent storms, including 2024 impacts.
  • Eden Gardens State Park: Dating to 1942 with 163 acres, it features formal gardens around a plantation house and tupelo swamps for canoeing, tying into Northwest timber and fishing histories. Visitor highs align with fall foliage tours.
  • Florida Caverns State Park: Opened in 1942 across 1,319 acres, it showcases rare caverns formed by dissolution, with guided tours revealing stalactites and fossils, plus sinkhole ponds for bass fishing. features highlight regional hydrology vulnerable to .
These parks collectively emphasize conservation of Panhandle-specific habitats like pitcher plant bogs and longleaf pines, with management integrating hunting leases to control populations and fund maintenance.

North Florida Parks

North Florida state parks preserve landscapes and forested uplands sustained by the , the primary groundwater source for the region's springs and rivers, where overextraction for agriculture and urban use has reduced spring flows in some areas, highlighting aquifer recharge vulnerabilities. These parks, spanning counties like Suwannee, Columbia, and Alachua, encompass approximately 20,000 acres collectively and feature hydrological phenomena such as river sinkholes and resurgences, which demonstrate the interconnected surface-subsurface water dynamics critical to local ecosystems. Activities include multi-use trails, primitive , and limited water-based to minimize environmental strain on groundwater-dependent habitats. O'Leno State Park, opened in 1940 as one of Florida's inaugural state parks and developed by the in the 1930s, covers about 1,500 acres along the Santa Fe River, where the waterway vanishes into a , traveling underground through conduits before resurfacing miles away. The park's hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and ponds support diverse flora like oaks and cypress, with trails revealing geological features tied to dissolution processes. Visitors engage in , biking, and , while the site's historical structures underscore early 20th-century conservation efforts amid initiatives. Adjoining O'Leno, River Rise Preserve State Park protects an additional 4,500 acres of terrain where the Santa Fe River reemerges from the as a spring pool, feeding into bluffs and wetlands that buffer against erosion and maintain water clarity. Over 35 miles of trails traverse sandhills, , and swamps, offering opportunities for , equestrian use, and wildlife observation, including otters and wading birds reliant on stable levels. The preserve's 18 natural communities exemplify -influenced , with lakes serving as recharge points vulnerable to from upstream . Ichetucknee Springs State Park, acquired by the state in 1970 from a corporation for preservation, spans 2,669 acres and safeguards nine springs discharging from the into the Ichetucknee River, supporting clear-water tubing from May to September under capacity limits to protect aquatic habitats. in the headsprings reveals submerged caves and endemic species like manatees in winter, while forested trails highlight the park's role in monitoring, as reduced flows from regional pumping have prompted restoration debates focused on limiting withdrawals. Suwannee River State Park, established in the 1930s through Civilian Conservation Corps labor, encompasses 1,800 acres at the confluence of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers, featuring limestone outcrops and forested bluffs that trace historical river navigation routes used by Native Americans and settlers. Hiking and boating reveal aquifer-fed tributaries with tannic waters, emphasizing the park's contribution to watershed management amid concerns over saltwater intrusion in the underlying aquifer from coastal overpumping. Big Shoals State Park, acquired in the 1980s to conserve Florida's only Class III on the , includes 3,000 acres of bluffs and forests where formations expose strata, with Native American sites evidencing millennia of human interaction with the terrain. and trails provide access to visible only at low water, underscoring the dynamic flow regimes driven by upstream contributions and seasonal rainfall variability.

Central Florida Parks

Central Florida state parks occupy mid-state locations proximate to Orlando's theme park districts, functioning as urban escapes with features like crystalline springs, expansive lakes, and trail networks that support day trips and family-oriented recreation amid dense forests and wetlands. These sites leverage their accessibility—often within 30 minutes of major attractions—to counterbalance high-density , drawing visitors for swimming, paddling, and picnicking while preserving ecosystems like uplands and riverine corridors. Annual visitation at popular venues exceeds 400,000, reflecting demand for low-cost, nature-based alternatives to commercial entertainment. Wekiwa Springs State Park exemplifies this regional appeal, encompassing roughly 7,000 acres acquired by the state in 1969 for public use, with the spring area serving as central Florida's earliest tourist draw since the 1890s through bathhouses and hotels predating modern developments. The park's 72-degree spring basin enables year-round and , paired with 13 miles of trails, equestrian paths, and canoe launches on the Wekiwa River, fostering encounters with black bears, otters, and wading birds in subtropical hammocks. Positioned 20 minutes north of Orlando via , it accommodates picnic shelters and group areas that attract families, though capacity limits and reservations manage overcrowding during peak seasons. Lake Louisa State Park, spanning 4,500 acres in the northeast Green Swamp, was purchased in 1973 and opened in 1977, centering on three spring-fed lakes—Dixie, Hammond, and Louisa—linked by waterways for , , and non-motorized across varied shorelines. It features 20 miles of unpaved multi-use trails winding through oak hammocks and pine , including dedicated equestrian routes with guided horseback rentals that appeal to novice and experienced riders alike. A short drive southwest of Orlando near Clermont, the park emphasizes family amenities such as screened cabins, picnic pavilions with grills, and ranger-led programs, while restricting motorized access to protect hydrological integrity and biodiversity. Other key holdings include Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, a 167-acre site with a first-magnitude spring hosting seasonal congregations of up to 400 individuals, supporting boardwalk viewing, , and amid hardwood forests. De Leon Springs State Park, near DeLand, preserves a 600-acre historic area with a sugar mill dating to the 1800s and a boiling spring pool for interactive , complemented by trails and old cook shacks for pancake-making demonstrations that enhance educational day-use. These parks collectively prioritize proximity-driven visitation, with equestrian and picnic facilities bolstering their draw for locals and short-stay tourists avoiding southern coastal zones.

Southwest Florida Parks

Myakka River State Park, established in 1941 as one of Florida's earliest state parks developed under programs, encompasses approximately 37,000 acres along the , making it the state's largest. The park protects diverse habitats including prairies, pine flatwoods, and the slow-flowing Myakka River, which supports canoeing and amid cypress swamps teeming with American alligators. These wetlands and riverine corridors contribute to estuary protections by filtering nutrients and sediments before reaching Charlotte Harbor, countering development pressures from surrounding Sarasota County urbanization. Lovers Key State Park safeguards over 2 miles of undeveloped beaches and fringes in Lee County, accessible primarily by or boat to minimize disruption. Its estuaries harbor juvenile fish and shellfish, enhancing coastal resilience against storm surges through natural barriers that dissipated wave energy during in 2022. Caladesi Island State Park, reachable only by from adjacent Honeymoon Island, preserves 3 miles of pristine Gulf shoreline and upland trails, hosting wintering shorebirds including red knots and piping plovers alongside breeding American oystercatchers.
ParkEstablishedAcreageKey Features
Myakka River194137,000River canoeing, viewing, buffering
Lovers Key1990s (as state park)505Barrier beaches, storm protection, tram access
Caladesi Island19661,090 (island core)Ferry-only access, shorebird habitats, undisturbed dunes
These parks collectively mitigate development threats like and in high-growth areas, with mangrove systems providing documented wave attenuation during storms—reducing surge heights by up to 50% in modeled scenarios. Birding hotspots yield verified sightings of over 200 regionally, including roseate spoonbills and tricolored in Myakka's canopy walkway areas, alongside populations exceeding dozens per lake basin. Conservation efforts prioritize these features against urban expansion, as outlined in state plans emphasizing resource-based access over commercial development.

Southeast Florida and Keys Parks

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, spanning over 10,500 acres along the Loxahatchee River in Martin County, stands as the largest state park in southeast Florida and was established in 1950 from surplus military lands used during World War II. The park encompasses 16 distinct natural communities, including rare sand pine scrub and mangrove swamps, supporting diverse wildlife such as Florida panthers and manatees amid remnants of pre-drainage wetland systems altered by early 20th-century canal projects that reclaimed over 4 million acres statewide for agriculture and settlement. Its creation reflected post-war efforts to preserve biodiversity against ongoing development, with trails and canoe routes providing access to these habitats. Coastal parks further south, such as Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on , cover 442 acres and were dedicated in 1969 after state acquisition in 1966, centering on the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse—one of the oldest structures in the area. This park protects ecosystems with dunes, hammocks, and shorelines, hosting migratory birds and sea turtles, while drawing 796,523 visitors in 2023 who generated $97 million in local economic impact through activities like biking and lighthouse tours. Entry fees and timed reservations help manage overcrowding from 's proximity, enforcing capacity limits to mitigate and stress. The Florida Keys chain extends this preservation southward, integrating state parks with the contiguous Florida Reef Tract—the only barrier reef in the continental U.S., harboring over 6,000 species of fishes, invertebrates, and plants. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, dedicated on December 10, 1960, as the nation's first undersea park, safeguards roughly 70 square nautical miles (about 240 km²) of ocean waters plus 2,900 acres of upland mangroves and hammocks in Key Largo, where snorkeling reveals elkhorn coral and barracuda schools threatened by warming waters. Bahia Honda State Park, covering 524 acres across Lower Keys islands, transitioned from county management to state status in 1961, featuring rare old-growth mangroves, fossilized reefs, and beaches that attract snorkelers despite limited shade and advance booking requirements for campsites up to 11 months ahead. These Keys parks, established amid mid-century tourism booms following the 1935 Overseas Highway replacement of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, face saturation with millions of annual regional visitors—part of Florida's 140.6 million statewide tourists in 2023—but impose fees ($8 per vehicle plus surcharges) and seasonal cabin rates ($120–$160 nightly) to balance access and reef protection. Additional Keys sites like Curry Hammock State Park (established 1982, focusing on buttonwood hammocks) and Long Key State Park reinforce this chain, preserving karst limestone formations and endemic species against invasive pressures and sea-level rise. Collectively, these parks complement federal efforts like the adjacent Everglades National Park (established 1947, core area exceeding 500,000 acres) by emphasizing public recreation in densely touristed zones, where biodiversity hotspots drive $4.4 billion in annual economic value from sanctuary-linked activities.

References

  1. https://floridadep.gov/parks
  2. https://www.flhistoriccapitol.gov/Pages/ExhibitsAndCollections/Exhibits/FLStateParks.aspx
  3. https://www.floridastateparks.org/
  4. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails
  5. https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/royal-palm.htm
  6. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/318771
  7. https://www.gfwc.org/royal-palm-state-park-re-dedication/
  8. https://fpsra.org/Florida-State-Park-History
  9. https://researchingflstateparks.weebly.com/history-of-the-florida-park-service.html
  10. https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/A-History-of-the-Florida-State-Parks-Foundation-12-2019.pdf
  11. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park/history
  12. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mike-roess-gold-head-branch-state-park/history-0
  13. https://www.pbs.org/video/wpbt2-presents-the-story-of-florida-state-parks-part-1/
  14. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/07-06-2016_Anastasia_AP.pdf
  15. https://www.pbs.org/video/wpbt2-presents-the-story-of-florida-state-parks-part-2/
  16. https://floridadep.gov/lands/lands-director/content/history-state-lands
  17. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/2014_FakahatcheeStrandPreserveStatePark_AP%2520reduced.pdf
  18. https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/IR/00/00/19/42/00001/FE33100.pdf
  19. https://floridadep.gov/lands/environmental-services/content/florida-forever
  20. https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/impact/
  21. https://www.wgcu.org/top-story/2025-03-13/acreage-added-to-fakahatchee-strand-preserve-state-park-provides-more-panther-habitat
  22. https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/state-park-system-grows-protect-important-habitat
  23. https://floridadep.gov/lands/environmental-services/news/dep-celebrates-acquisition-florida%25E2%2580%2599s-newest-state-forest
  24. https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/what-prescribed-fire
  25. https://floridadep.gov/parks/parks-office-park-planning/content/state-park-planning
  26. https://www.floridastateparks.org/PrescribedFire
  27. https://floridadep.gov/comm/public-outreach/content/working-fire
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