Florida Caverns State Park

Cool air, the sound of dripping water, a visual array of mystifying stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and draperies. This is what greets visitors when they explore the otherworldly depths of Florida Caverns.

Florida Caverns extends visitors a rarity in the state, a chance to explore stunning caves. In moving between the large underground rooms, one can observe the many chisel marks made by 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers. These hard-working men enlarged the cave passageways by hand so visitors could stand upright during the guided tours. They also built the park’s spacious visitor’s center and a unique nine-hole golf course set in beautiful rolling terrain.

Located next to the Chipola River and Blue Hole Spring, after emerging from the limestone caverns, a park visitor can take in boating, fishing or a hike. These attractions and more await visitors at Florida Caverns State Park.

Experiences

Bicycling
Multi-Use Trails: Horseback riding, bicycling and walking are just some ways to view the beautiful scenery of Florida Caverns State Park. Tour several miles of multi-use trails while viewing natural wonders such as floodplains, sinkholes, rivers and Karst topography. View a wide variety of plants and animals as you journey through these unchanged natural areas. A trail map is available at the designated entrances to these trails as well as the Ranger Station. The Upper Chipola Recreational Trail system has been established through a cooperative effort between Northwest Florida Water Management District and Florida Caverns State Park. Volunteers and staff maintain the trails and invite you to ride horses, bicycle and walk while enjoying the Real Florida. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.  Please remember that flowers are for everyone, insects bite, trails have wet areas and moving water is dangerous!

Boating
A boat ramp is located between the park entrance station and the family camping area. Only small boats are recommended to launch from this area due to water levels and possible underwater hazards along the Chipola River. Boaters can take a leisurely tour along the river, fish and view a variety of wildlife. Traveling south under the bridge at the boat ramp is not recommended. Large boats are not recommended in the river.

Camping
This 1,319-acre park has 35 campsites with electric and water hookups available for RV and tent camping. Three sites are RV/trailer only and three sites are tent-only. There are stables for visitors who bring their horses by three of the RV/tent sites. Pets are welcome. Multiuse trails near the campgrounds offer six miles of exploration for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders in the woodlands along the Chipola River.

Maximum RV length = 40 ft.
Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.

Camping Equestrian
This 1,319-acre park has 35 campsites with electric and water hookups available for RV and tent camping. Three sites are RV/trailer only and three sites are tent-only. There are stables for visitors who bring their horses by three of the RV/tent sites. Pets are welcome.

Multi-use trails near the campgrounds offer seven miles of exploration for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders in the woodlands along the Chipola River.
Maximum RV length = 45 ft.
Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.

Camping, Primitive Group
The Youth Camp, located near the visitor center, accommodates 100 campers. Two toilets, a cold shower, a water faucet, picnic tables and two large fire pits are located in the camping area. Call the park for reservations at (850) 482-1228.

Paddling
Canoe rentals on the scenic Chipola River are available every day, ask for information at the Ranger Station.  Take a leisurely tour up this Outstanding Florida Waterway and experience more of the "Real Florida" . A wide variety of flora and fauna can be observed during your trip. Herons, egrets, alligators, beavers, and snakes are just a few common sites you will see as you travel upstream through this wonderful natural community. Canoe rentals are available at the park entrance station or Visitor Center and can be rented for half day and full day trips.

Fishing
Fishing is available at the boat ramp located on Blue Hole Drive. A variety of fish, such as bass, catfish, sunfish, mullet, etc. can be caught from this area. A unique river sink is located here, where the Chipola River sinks 90 feet below the surface and finally reappears ½ mile downstream. Prior to the early 1900s, a ½ mile natural land bridge existed where the Chipola River disappeared into a sinkhole. Evidently at that time, a " log run" was created across the natural land bridge for the purpose of floating felled timber downstream to a nearby sawmill. Please be sure to know your limits and follow all rules and regulations while fishing at Florida Caverns State Park.

All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.  A fishing license may be required.  More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geo-Seeking
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.

Operation Recreation GeoTour

Hiking
The park offers two nature trails that allow you to explore the beautiful rocky bluffs that tower above the river floodplain. Both trails start at the Visitor Center. The terrain is steep in places and considered mildly strenuous. Because the bluffs are such a unique environment many rare species of plants can be seen. The trails are for foot traffic only.

Picnicking
Six (6) picnic areas are located throughout the park for your enjoyment. Tables and grills are available on a first-come, first -served basis. There are five (5) pavilions that may be reserved in advance for a special event. The Hickory Shelter has a restroom facility and a playground nearby. The Horse Camp Shelter is located directly across from the Blue Hole swimming Area. Other Shelters include Beech Shelter and the Sweetgum Shelter. Picnic shelter prices are as follows: Large shelter-Hickory Shelter (holds between 60-100 people) $60.00/day + tax and the small shelters- Sweetgum, Horse Camp, and Beech (holds between 30-60 people) are $30.00/day + tax. Contact the Ranger Station for shelter reservations and dates.

Amenities

Campfire Circles
Memorial Day to Labor Day, Park Rangers offer a wide variety of programs on Saturday evenings for your enjoyment. Please call 850-482-1228 the week of your visit to find out times and subjects.

Visitor Center
The attractive Visitor Center provides historical interpretation in its walk-through museum and large screen video tour of the caverns. The Civilian Conservation Corps completed this park facility in 1942. The museum displays a large variety of exhibits offering cultural and natural resource information.

Playground
There is a playground within the park, which has state of the art equipment and benches for sitting.

Shower Station
Public showers are provided at the Blue Hole day-use area.

Picnic Pavilion
There are five pavilions that may be reserved in advance for special events:

The Hickory Shelter has a restroom facility and a playground nearby.
The Horse Camp Shelter is located directly across from the Blue Hole swimming Area.
Other shelters include Beech Shelter and the Sweetgum Shelter.
Picnic shelter prices are as follows:

Large shelter: Hickory Shelter (holds between 60-100 people) $60/day + tax.
Small Shelters: Sweetgum, Horse Camp, and Beech (holds between 30-60 people) are $30/day + tax.
Contact the Ranger Station for shelter reservations and dates.

Horse Equestrian Trail
An Equestrian Facility is Located in the center of the multi-use trail system. Horseback riders can enjoy the use of stables. A wash rack is located directly behind these stables to clean and cool the horses after a hard day's work. Restrooms and picnic shelters are also nearby for your convenience. Equestrian camping is available. Please be sure to bring proof of negative Coggins for each horse. At this time the park does not rent horses. Horses are restricted to trails.