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.
Map of State Parks of Florida Hold cursor over locations to display park name, click to go to park article. |
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
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
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 | _(1912370232).jpg) | 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 | .jpg) | 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 | .jpg) | 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
References
External links
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