Florida Caverns State Park is about an hour and a half northeast of SoWal just north of I-10 in Marianna, Florida. One of the few state parks with dry (air filled) caves and the only Florida state park to offer cave tours to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. Florida Caverns is also popular for camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Though the park does not rent horses, stables are available for equestrian campers. Cave tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and are considered to be moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program, touring the cave and other natural areas of the park, is available in the visitor center.
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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 multiuse 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. Please remember that flowers are for everyone, insects bite, trails have wet areas and moving water is dangerous! |
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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 and can also fish and view a variety of wildlife. Traveling south under the bridge at the boat ramp is not recommended. |
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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. |
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Camping, Full Facility 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. |
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Camping, Youth 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. |
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Canoeing & Kayaking Canoe rentals are available every Thursday through Monday (canoe rentals are not available on Tuesday and Wednesday or Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Canoeing is available up the scenic Chipola River. Take a leisurely tour up this Florida Outstanding 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 and can be rented for ½ day and full day trips. Fees are $15.00 plus tax ½ day (up to 4 hours) and $20.00 plus tax full day. Large boats are not recommended in the river. |
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Concession & Restaurant The park's concession is located below the historic Vistor Center. Refreshments and souveniers are available. This is also the location where you can purchase your tickets to go on a cave tour. The Gift Shop is closed on Tuedays and Wednesdays. |
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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. |
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Hiking/Nature Trail 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. |
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Horse/Equestrian Trail An Equestrian Facility is Located in the center of the multiuse 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 a current Coggin's test for each horse. Equestrian entrance fees at the park are $7.00 plus tax per horse. Family, per tow vehicle and trailer, four horse maximum $15.00. At this time the park does not rent horses. Horses are restricted to trails. |
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Interpretive Exhibit 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. |
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Picnicking 6 picnic areas are located throughout the park for your enjoyment. Tables and grills are available on a first come first serve basis. There are 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. |
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Playground There is a playground within the park, which has state of the art equipment and bench’s to sit on. |
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Showers, Day Visitors Public showers are provided |
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Swimming Located near the campground, the Blue Hole Spring rises to create the Blue Hole swimming area. This favorite warm weather attraction provides a great way to cool down during the hot summer months. The spring water is usually clear during periods of low rainfall. A floating dock extends out over the spring vent to provide bathers access to the swimming area. Two bridges on the North & South ends of the swimming area are good locations to view wildlife and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The spring vent has been measured at 97 feet deep and during periods of heavy rain; flood waters may rise more than 10 feet above normal levels. Scuba diving is not permitted. THERE ARE NO LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. |
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Tours Guided tours of the cave are offered every Thursday through Monday (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tours leave from the Visitor Center, which opens at 9:00am each day. Tour sizes are limited to 25 people per tour. Reservations are available for groups of 25 or more with a pre-paid reservation. Group reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance of your arrival. Reservations for group tours are conducted Monday through Friday only. All tours on weekends are first come first served, and are at regular admission prices. Please contact the park at 850-482-1341 for group reservations. Call 850-482-9599 for general tour information. Tour fees are 0-2 years of age-free, 3-12 $5.00 plus tax each, 13 and up $8.00 plus tax each. Groups of 25 or more with prepaid reservations are $4.00 (including tax) per person. The tour lasts for about 45 minutes and takes you along a path about 1600 feet long where you can view a number of beautiful formations as they are explained by your tour guide. NOTE: Cave tours regularly sell out and the last cave tour leaves at 4:00p.m. CST each day. |
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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. |
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