Even though most people think about theme parks when they think about planning a Florida vacation, our State Parks are amazing. Florida State Parks are some of the best in the country showcasing both the most beautiful beaches AND the most fantastical freshwater springs. Florida State Parks are where you go to see manatees and alligators, or where you walk the beach watching for dolphins and beautiful birds, and where you go to visit historic forts and homes. Our family spends a ton of time in Florida State Parks and I know YOU are going to want to visit at least a few of them.
Since we’ve enjoyed camping and day trips to so many Florida State Parks all around the region, from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle, we’ve made a list of our favorite parks to visit and organized them by WHERE they’re located. We’ve also included parks listed by what makes them great (beach, spring, kayaking…). If you have any questions about any of the Florida State Parks we have included or if you need more recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great trip to visit Florida!
33 Best Florida State Parks
What I really love about the Florida State Parks is how different they are. You can spend your morning paddling through rivers of grass in an “Old Florida” setting and then be swimming and getting your tan on in the afternoon on a pristine beach. You can learn to look at a swamp as a beautiful wildlife habitat instead of a squishy mosquito mess and then you can go enjoy a bit of living history with costumed actors. When we’re planning a weekend getaway or want to show out-of-town visitors something cool about Florida, we usually add a State Park or two.
Something we always enjoy is getting on the water, either in a kayak or on a boat tour. It’s kind of amazing how many boat tours Florida State Parks have, and even more impressive how many offer kayak and canoe rentals. And even though we’re not known for our hiking here in FL, there are a lot of really cool trails and boardwalks that make it easy to explore the wilderness of the parks. So, what sort of State Park is best? Well, let’s dig into our favorites and that will help you choose the type of Florida trip you pick.
How Many State Parks Are In Florida
Florida has over 170 State Parks, making it one of the largest state park systems in the United States. This includes general parks, nature and wildlife preserves, botanical parks, and parks named for their geologic features. We may not have hot springs in FL, but we have over 1000 freshwater springs, 19 of which are State Parks. And even though we don’t have any mountains, we have 825 miles of SANDY beaches, with 53 State Parks having awesome beach access.
The greatest concentration of Florida State Parks is on the Gulf Coast (west coast of the Florida Peninsula) as there are so many protected and accessible beaches and estuaries that are wonderful to explore. From Collier Seminole State Park near Marco Island to Cedar Key Scrub Reserve just before the Big Bend, the Gulf Coast is LOADED with parks.
Florida State Park Map
There are plenty of maps of Florida State Parks but they’re quite crowded due to the number of parks we have here. Instead, we’ve put together a map of our favorite Florida State Parks so you can more easily what is where and you can plan based on the areas you’re going to be. I like to keep things simple, including travel planning tools.
Best State Parks In Florida
Of course we’re not going to include every single one of the Florida State Parks, but we’ve five from each of the 6 regions of the state:
- Central Florida (Orlando at the center of it)
- Gulf Coast (Tampa Bay and south to Naples, North to the Big Bend)
- North Florida (Gainesville to Daytona to the Georgia border)
- South Florida (from New Smyrna Beach to Miami and Alligator Alley)
- Florida Keys (our favorite Florida destination of more than 800 named islands)
- The Panhandle (from the Big Bend to the Alabama border)
You’ll see what makes the parks of each area special and beautiful, as our favorites made the cut because they’re either really unique or are just the most fun possible. You can add them to your Florida road trip or design your travel plans around them. And now, for the best of the best of Florida State Parks!
Favorite Central Florida State Parks
We’ll start with Central Florida because, let’s face it, most people planning a trip to Florida are intending to visit Walt Disney World or Universal. Some of the best things to do in Orlando are actually out in nature, not far from the theme parks. The nearby Florida State Parks are beautiful, amazing and full of wildlife.
Wekiwa Springs State Park and Rock Springs Run State Reserve
Not far from Orlando and made famous by Instagram, Rock Springs Run and the connected Wekiwa Springs State Park are together one of the most beautiful places in Florida offering both a magical, turquoise water jungle and a fun park with a huge freshwater spring to swim in. Visiting the area means that you’ll be paddling (kayaking, SUP or canoes) or just relaxing and swimming. Rock Springs Run State Reserve starts at Kelly Park (Rock Springs) and then winds down through a jaw dropping subtropical forest with clear waters and dipping palms.
The beautiful run connects to the Wekiva River which flows from Wekiwa Springs State Park. This stretch of water is easy to paddle and is a great way to see alligators and turtles, paddling upstream to the large headspring. It’s a great Florida State Parks experience. Map link here
Lake Louisa State Park
Also not too far from Orlando, Lake Louisa State Park is a very different sort of Florida experience. Located in the hills (yes, we do have a few hills in Florida), Lake Louisa and its neighboring ponds and small lakes, are wonderful for on the water recreation. At the big lake you can swim or paddle, and if you have a skiff you can even use a small electric motor to get around for fishing and sightseeing. What makes Lake Louisa State Park so special though are the beautiful cypress trees lining its shore. The unique forest is IN the water and so unique to explore. It’s very Florida. Also, there are cabins here which you can rent (with AC) making it a good Florida State Park getaway when you visit Orlando. Map link here
Lake Griffin State Park
Now, this may seem like a left-field pick for being one of the best Florida State Parks, but it’s really great. Hear me out. State Parks are for the enjoyment of people, and usually they’re pretty large with lots of nature. Lake Griffin State Park matches this description, but much of the park is only accessible by boat. If you don’t have your own, no worries, one of the best boat tours in Florida’s parks is here, leaving from the dock and heading out to explore the quiet waterways and beautiful rookery (bird nesting area) on Lake Griffin. If you’re into birds, this park is a MUST-VISIT! Also, the second largest live oak tree in Florida is found here on one of the trails. I love Lake Griffin State Park. Map link here
Silver Springs State Park
Our family’s favorite of the Florida State Parks is Silver Springs. This is where we take as many visitors as possible because it’s both amazingly beautiful and such a fun destination. Silver Springs State Park has a huge first magnitude freshwater spring that is the start of the Silver River. Many movies have been filmed here, both in the surrounding jungle and underwater (including James Bond). In the winter months, this is the prettiest place to get to see manatees up close.
You can enjoy Silver Spring State Park by visiting with your own paddling gear or renting it. You can do one of the glass bottom boat tours through the springs and river. You can walk the trails, including through the botanical garden. You can even bike for miles. It’s incredible.
Oh yeah, and the B-side of Silver Springs State Park is that you can see wild monkeys here. When they filmed Tarzan here in 1938, when they wrapped, the monkeys (rhesus macaques) used in the film were released and spread through the forest. You can still see them today, jumping in the river and wandering the riverbank. It’s an awesome state park. Map link here
Lake Kissimmee State Park
One of the coolest things to do in Florida in general is getting to do an airboat tour and explore the unique habitats we have. Lake Kissimmee State Park is great for enjoying the airboat experience, seeing alligators and birds, and also experiencing living history. I know that might sound odd, but one of the unique things to do at Lake Kissimmee State Park is learn about Florida cracker history, which were the cowboys that managed the range cattle for a hundred years plus. It’s actually fascinating and really fun with kids. Map link here
Best Florida Gulf Coast State Parks
You cannot beat the beaches of the Florida State Parks on the Gulf of Mexico. Yes, the Gulf of Mexico is beautiful and it’s actually called that. None of the Gulf of America crap, because it’s an international body of water that’s been named the “Gulf of Mexico” longer than the USA has been a county. So deal with it. Anyways, the State Parks on the Gulf are so beautiful and then as you move inland just a bit, you come to some incredible freshwater springs. You have to plan a Florida Gulf Coast road trip to experience it all.
Lovers Key State Park
Located in the Fort Myers Beach area, Lovers Key State Park is all about the beaches and mangroves. There are several beach access points with sugar white sand, and then also some boardwalks through the mangroves, which makes for great birdwatching. Something else that’s cool at Lovers Key State Park is the tram system to shuttle visitors back and forth to the furthest beach. It’s a good park to visit to be able to have some beach time away from the crowds. Map link here
Rainbow Springs State Park
The waters of Rainbow Springs State Park are otherworldly. The turquoise with the greens and deep blues, and then the colorful vegetation all around really do make it a rainbow. While a lot of Florida State Parks have good setups for being able to swim and easily access the water, Rainbow Springs State Park has some of the best access to be able to jump directly into the headspring area. There are also kayak rentals on the Rainbow River which makes for a gorgeous paddle.
Something interesting about Rainbow Springs State Park is that it’s one of the original “attraction” parks of Florida. There are 10+ manmade waterfalls, a large butterfly garden and even a creepy old abandoned zoo. This is one of the best Florida State Parks to both fall in love with the beauty of our natural wonders AND to see the kitschy side of Florida. Check out the visitor center for cool pictures from Rainbow Springs’ heyday. Map link here
Honeymoon Island State Park
I love the beaches of Honeymoon Island State Park! People say that Clearwater has the best beach, but clearly those people haven’t driven into Honeymoon Island and walked the white sandy shores and waded in the turquoise waters here. Of all the Florida State Parks that get busy or have a wait to find parking, Honeymoon Island is the most worthwhile because it’s so pretty. The shallows are amazing with kids, and the long stretches of beach are just perfect. Map link here
Oscar Scherer State Park
This is kind of an obscure state park in the Sarasota area, but Oscar Scherer State Park is one of the best camping parks in Florida. It’s not right by the beach, but it’s got a great paddling stream, miles of walking and biking trails, and it’s connected to the Legacy Trail which runs through lots of public lands along the old train lines. If you like biking, camping and just relaxing, this is one of the best Florida State Parks for it, and then you’re still close to the beaches of Sarasota County also. Map link here
Myakka River State Park
There is no shortage of alligators in Florida State Parks, but Myakka River State Park is the place to go to see them en masse. It’s kind of crazy to see them all lined up on a sunny day. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking, a really cool canopy swinging bridge for birdwatching, and 14 miles of the Myakka River that are open to fishing and paddling. They have kayak rentals available in the park, and if you’re interested, there are some really pretty areas on the lake and river to explore. Map link here
BONUS: Cayo Costa State Park
If you ever wanted to feel like you washed up on a deserted tropical island, Cayo Costa State Park is the one for you. It’s complicated to get to, as you need to either use your own boat or do the foot ferry over to the island. Captiva Cruises (fun when you’re visiting Sanibel and Captiva) can get you there for a fun, beautiful day on the water enjoying the white sand and looking for sea turtles. You used to be able to camp overnight at Cayo Costa State Park, but not anymore, sadly. Map link here for Captiva Cruises
North Florida State Parks Not to Miss
North Florida isn’t really the famous part of the state for out-of-state vacationers, but it’s awesome! We live in North Florida and love it, and our state parks really are some of the best places to access nature. We have some great historic sites too, so plan a visit and fall in love with our area.
Anastasia State Park
This is our neighborhood Florida State Park and we are here constantly, whether it’s for school field trips or if we’re biking and kayaking. Anastasia State Park has miles and miles of gorgeous beach with sand that varies from fine white sand to chunk pink and orange. There are trails along the inlet and gear rentals if you need them. There’s also a good sized campground.
What I really love about Anastasia State Park are the kayaking and biking activities. We ride bikes on the beach all the way to the end at the mouth of St Augustine Bay, watching for dolphins and cool birds along the way. We launch kayaks and paddleboards both from within the state park and from the St Augustine Lighthouse boat ramp to paddle in the protected waters of Salt Run. Anastasia State Park is wonderful! Map link here
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
I had to include Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in our list of favorites because it’s such an unusual place, especially when you compare it to the beaches and springs. Paynes Prairie Preserve is a mix of prairie and wetlands. There are overlooks and trails all around, and even places to walk out into the wetlands. One of the most unique things about visiting Paynes Prairie is seeing bison. Yes, there are actually bison (what some people call buffalo) here and they’ll wander past when you’re out on the trails.
A portion of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park that’s separate from the main area is the La Chua Trail. This is a boardwalk and trail system that goes through woods and into the alligator-filled wetlands. This is some of the best birdwatching in all of Florida with all kinds of herons, egrets, kites and owls. We love it here and visit at least once a year. It’s in Gainesville so it’s an easy trip to add to a game at the University of Florida. Map link here
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Something that makes Washington Oaks Gardens State Park such a cool place to visit is how it’s got four different parts to it, but it’s all right there together. You’ve got a beautiful, well established botanical garden; a riverfront on the Intracoastal Waterway; a hardwood hammock forest with trails; and a gorgeous beach with nice park facilities. The visitor center also is affiliated with the garden club, so sometimes they even do plant sales. There are also a few picnic areas too, so you can make a whole day of it! Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located right in between St Augustine and Daytona Beach. Map link here
Fort Clinch State Park
Another of the Florida State Parks that packs in several types of fun and experiences, Fort Clinch State Park up on Amelia Island is one part history lesson and one part epic beach day. There are activities like biking and hiking (flat trails) but the beach here is really beautiful. I would say that Fort Clinch State Park is one of my favorite places for beachcombing on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. If you’re not here for the beach, tour and explore the Civil War Era fort (what makes it a historic state park), one of the many forts to visit in the Southeast. There is also a pretty big campground at Fort Clinch State Park if you’re looking for a place to camp near the beach. Map link here
Tomoka State Park
When I think about Tomoka State Park in Daytona Beach, I think of some of the coolest kayaking on the Atlantic Coast of FL. While it’s not the freshwater spring jungle of Silver Springs State Park, the kayaking at Tomoka State Park is really unusual. It’s like paddling through a maze of tall grass, watching for alligators and beautiful birds. The network of paddling trails is one of my favorites in North Florida. Kayak rentals are available onsite. Map link here
Blue Spring State Park
While you can see manatees in many Florida State Parks, Blue Spring State Park is THE BEST when it comes to seeing manatees in huge numbers. In the fall and winter months, manatees flock to Blue Spring State Park by the hundreds. They literally fill the run flowing from the headspring all the way into the St Johns River. It’s astounding to see babies and adults, all swimming or huddling or sitting on the bottom of the river. The water is wonderfully clear and the wildlife experience is unmatched.
In the summertime, Blue Spring State Park is really fun to visit for swimming in the springs and for paddling. The run, the St Johns River and Snake Creek all make for awesome places to explore in a kayak or on a SUP. You can launch from within the State Park or from French’s Landing just around the corner. It’s a remarkable place and one of our favorite Florida State Parks. Map link here
De Leon Springs State Park
Four cool things about De Leon Springs State Park:
- The headspring is one of the best for swimming with access all around it
- The boat tours are wonderful for spotting wildlife and learning Florida history
- The Old Spanish Sugar Mill is the best breakfast place in North Florida (make your own pancakes)
- De Leon Springs used to have a waterskiing elephant show. Yes, it’s exactly as it sounds.
Today, De Leon Springs State Park is a great day trip from Daytona or Orlando and you can spend all day here. Arrive early for breakfast at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, then head out on the boat tour down the river, come back and have a picnic lunch, then spend the rest of the day swimming and diving in the spring. It’s such a fun state park! Map link here
South Florida State Parks You’ll Love
Miami isn’t the only thing in South Florida and the State Parks we recommend are really great to add to a vacation to either the beaches or the Everglades. We’ve got some solid beach recommendations here as well as one of the best places to experience the cypress swamps of the Everglades.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
If you didn’t know, a cypress forest is called a strand, and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is one of the most beautiful examples you can visit. This is where you go to look for alligators, owls, ghost orchids and the scenery you’ve seen in cartoons that happen in Florida. You can walk the awesome boardwalk at the main Fakahatchee Strand State Park entrance or you can do Janes Wildlife Drive for a beautiful scenic trip in the car, stopping to hike the different trails where you want. It’s a wonderful stop to add to the drive between Miami and Naples or Tampa. Map link here for boardwalk Map link here for wildlife drive
Collier-Seminole State Park
One of the reasons we love Collier-Seminole State Park is simply for the nostalgia of it. It’s the first place in Florida that we ever camped with our kids, so it’s special to us. It’s a good camping park and there are lots of things to do. You’ve got trails through the forest, boardwalks through the mangroves, play space, historic stuff, gardens… It’s a really good historic state park to add to a South Florida trip. You can add it to break up beach days or if you want to experience a slice of the Everglades without going all the way to Chokoloskee or driving too far east. Map link here
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
The two main attractions at Jonathan Dickinson State Park are the Loxahatchee River and Hobe Sound. Located directly next to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, this state park is really cool to explore with kids. Between the boat tours and the kayaking on one of the most beautiful rivers in South Florida you’ll easily understand why we include Jonathan Dickinson State Park as one of our favorites. Also, this is one of the parks that offers safari tent glamping. We don’t have a ton of glamping in Florida, but you can do it here! Map link here
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Hear me out: this is where Miami families go to party. I know that sounds weird, but Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park has lots of beach access points and picnic areas, and it’s always full of families escaping Miami for the day having beach-tailgate parties and enjoying the water. We’ve been to lots of Florida State Parks and beaches and none have the fun vibe of Cape Florida. Also, there’s a beautiful lighthouse that you can tour with a guide or just appreciate from the beach. It’s a fun park and is iconic of South Florida. Map link here
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Located in Riviera Beach, which is one of our favorite family getaways, John D MacArthur Beach State Park is a great spot to visit for either learning or fun. The nature center at the visitor center has lots of exhibits about habitats and lots of animals you can meet up close, and there are rangers on staff to talk all about what makes the park special. You can launch your own kayak or rent them here to paddle in through the beautiful, calm waterways. And then there’s the beach. It’s an interesting beach because to get to it you have to walk across the half mile boardwalk over the water to get to the dune to get to the beach, but it’s worth it. It’s one of our favorite Florida State Parks and one of the best things to do in Palm Beach County. Map link here
Top Florida Keys State Parks
We get to spend a lot of time in the Florida Keys and they will never not be interesting and beautiful. There are actually 10 state parks in the Keys, but they’re not all easily accessible. Some you have to take a boat to or paddle yourself there. Our favorites are the ones that are easy to enjoy with lots of things to do, which are easy to add to a Florida Keys road trip.
Curry Hammock State Park
Every visit to the Florida Keys includes a visit to Curry Hammock State Park. The kayaking is wonderful and includes a mangrove tunnel trail (and onsite rentals). There is always a lot of wildlife from iguanas to rays in the water. The beach is pretty and each to access (and there’s actually a sandy beach). And there are great campsites that you have to plan for a year in advance. There’s even a playground. Curry Hammock is a great state park for families because there are so many activities. This park is locate in Marathon. Map link here
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
This is the dark horse pick for cool Florida State Parks. Located in Islamorada on Windley Key, the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is all above history meeting science. When the railroad to Key West was being built (no longer operational) they had to cut large blocks of stone for the bridges, so there are quarries all through the Keys. Here at Windley Key you can see the ancient fossilized coral reef the stone was cut from and learn about how they build the Florida East Coast Railway connection through the Keys. Map link here
Bahia Honda State Park
Without questions, the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys are here at Bahia Honda State Park. Located in the Lower Keys on the way to Key West, this is also the most popular park. There is always a line to access it, and rightly so. The beaches have white sugar sand, there are sandbars to enjoy, there is kayaking, you can fish… You can even hike up the old Bahia Honda Bridge that was destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. It’s an awesome state park! Map link here
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
We’ve spent so much time in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and we can always spend more. Aside from it having one of the only beaches on Key Largo, it’s also a wonderful place for kayaking and accessing the incredible reefs and shipwrecks off the coast. So much of this state park is underwater that you have to be on a boat to experience most of it. The Pennekamp Glass Bottom Boat tour is one of the most popular things to do in the Florida Keys, but there are also epic snorkeling tours that go out to Molasses Reef and beyond. Check out the visitor center to learn about the invasive lion fish and see what you’ll find out on the reef. Map link here
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Located in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has both a beautiful beach and an interesting Civil War Era fort to visit. This is a great historic state park that also has lots of fun to it. It’s a pretty popular place, so if you’re driving in you may have to wait a while for a parking spot to open, so it’s better to walk in, which is very doable if you’re staying in the Historic District of Key West. We usually come here for at least an afternoon swim and a picnic, because there are so many other great things to do in Key West that we don’t get a lot of time here at the state park. Map link here
Florida State Parks in the Panhandle
If you’re not familiar, the Panhandle is the part of Florida that stretches to the west below Georgia and Alabama. It’s both “Old Florida” and the “redneck riviera” but in the best ways. You have beaches with some of the most crystal clear water in the world and you have swamps and springs that are so cool and full of wildlife you didn’t know they existed in the USA. The Gulf of Mexico’s climate makes it a wonderful vacation destination for ten months of the year… but then January and February they get so intensely cold you might even see snow on the beach, but this is when the most manatees come into Crystal River.
PS: most of the Panhandle is on Central Standard Time instead of Eastern.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs State Park is my favorite of the Florida State Parks in the Panhandle. What I love about it is the peace and calm you find here, and then amazing nature all around. Being the deepest freshwater spring in the world with 45 miles of explored caves connected to the spring, it’s incredible. The “Jungle Cruise” boat tour is cheap and is some of the best wildlife watching you’ll find in the Panhandle of Florida. You’ll see alligators and birds, manatees in the winter months, and you might even spot the Creature from the Black Lagoon (it was filmed here). In the visitor center, don’t miss taking your picture with the Creature!
Tip: Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park has one of the only park lodges in Florida. It’s a vintage hotel built in the 1930s and is a great place to stay when you’re exploring here and the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge nearby. Map link here
Perdido Key State Park
Right at the border of Florida and Alabama you’ll find Perido Key State Park. The main attraction here is the beach. With several beach access spots and plenty of picnic opportunities, this park is the perfect final stop before you drive into Alabama. There is no camping here, but nearby Big Lagoon State Park (see below) has an awesome campground. Map link here
Big Lagoon State Park
You’ve come to the best place for camping near the beach in the Panhandle. Big Lagoon State Park has its own beach on the lagoon, which is nice and calm and great for kayaking and playing, but then it’s also just a few minutes drive from Johnson Beach, which is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. So, you camp here and have all the recreation and birdwatching you want, and then you drive a few minutes and have one of the prettiest beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s awesome. Map link here
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
You will never guess why Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is one of my favorites, but it’s actually because this is where you go to see carnivorous plants. Yes, we have alligators and crocs and sharks in Florida, but did you know that we also have tons of carnivorous plants? The trails and boardwalks at Tarkiln Bayou State Park lead you to pitcher plants, sundew and more. You can see them up close and even watch the process of the plants eating bugs. It’s awesome and the best Florida State Park to geek out in and it’s not far from downtown Pensacola. Map link here
St. George Island State Park
For the final of our favorite Florida State Parks, is St George Island State Park. This is also directly on the Gulf of Mexico and has one of the best stretches of protected beach and one of the prettiest islands in the state of Florida. There is plenty of space to enjoy the sand and sea, trails to explore, easy kayaking spots, camping and all with minimal people. The boardwalks, the dunes, the beautiful water on both sides of the island… it all makes a wonderful getaway or nice stop as you’re driving around the perimeter of Florida. You’ll love it. Map link here
Tips For Visiting Florida State Parks
Something great about adding Florida State Parks to your visit or just your regular life if you live here is that they are all over the place and are inexpensive ways to have fun and be outdoors. You do have to keep in mind though that some of our parks are really well known and on the weekend can be super busy. You don’t want to show up to a popular park, like Blue Spring State Park, at 10:00 am on a Saturday in the winter, because you’ll be sitting in a line to access the park for 2 hours while hundreds of other people also wanted to spend their Saturday watching manatees. Plan appropriately for how busy things could be.
A lot of Florida State Parks have boat tours that go regularly throughout the day, but not all do. Some parks will only do one boat tour a day and it regularly sells out, and then others, like Wakulla Springs State Park will run them from early morning until late afternoon. If you know that a tour or a kayak rental is important to you, book it in advance if you are able. Don’t let your Florida State Park Plans be foiled because you didn’t consider how busy things can get.
Camping in Florida State Parks
Y’all, before you try to plan a camping trip anywhere in Florida remember that this is THE camping state that snowbirds flock to. With more than 100 state park campgrounds and cabin options, you’ll be stunned how quickly reservations for campsites are gone when they are released for booking. Parks like Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys or Anastasia State Park in St Augustine are fully booked months in advance. True, you can score a random two night spot here or there, but many full time RV travelers and active families book camping 9 months out and hold onto spots just in case. It makes it hard to be able to plan for camping.
Having said that, camping in Florida State Parks is fun! We’ve camped in at least 15 states and of all the state parks, ours here in FL tend to have the best facilities and campground options. Amenities like playgrounds and campground showers are common, making it an easy family getaway option. JUST BE SURE TO PLAN IN ADVANCE.
Kayaking in Florida State Parks
Kayaking is probably the most popular activity in Florida State Parks. Or let’s call it paddling, as people love to use canoes and SUPs as well. You are always welcome to bring your own paddlecraft as long as you’re visiting a park that allows kayaking. Very few have restrictions on it if they have a waterway, but some do. For example, Wakulla Springs doesn’t allow any personal watercraft within the state park bounds because they are so aggressive at protecting the Wakulla River.
Kayak and canoe rentals are very common in Florida State Parks. They’re usually managed by a concessionaire, so not directly by the State Parks system. While typically it’s an easy thing to rent a kayak, canoe or SUP, there are a few places where you’ll need to use a rental app. For example, Curry Hammock State Park does offer a guided kayak tour with a park ranger, but that’s very limited and those kayaks are used ONLY for that, so they have an automated kayak and SUP rental system with digital locks that you use an app to rent. It’s pretty cool and a great way to make paddle gear available without requiring staff at all times.
Are Florida State Parks Free?
There are good number of Florida State Parks with no entry fee, but most do require one upon either going through the entry gate or via the honors system once you park. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park is one that has a QR code and a drop box to pay your fee before hitting the trail, while De Leon Springs State Park has a manned gatehouse.
The costs for entry vary by park, but usually Florida State Park entrance fees are inexpensive, starting a $4 or $6 per adult, and then when there is an entry gate, it’s done by car with each additional visitor costing a little less than the one before. For example, you can drive in as one person and it’ll cost you $6, but then your friend will be an additional $2, and then each kid in the back seat may be $1.50, and then if you have a 12 passenger van it may be $15 for entry. Basically, the prices fluctuate by still stay very inexpensive for all that the parks offer.
Florida State Parks Passes
If you live in Florida, the State Parks Pass can be a good idea if it’s just you or you if you’re exploring regularly. You’ll make up the cost ($60 for an individual pass) of the statewide pass fairly quickly if you’re just one person after 7-10 visits. Florida State Park entrance fees can vary, so you may get a pass and then not have to pay the $6 or $10 fee, but then you need to ensure you keep up on your visits to recover the cost.
The Florida State Park Pass for families is not a good deal unless you really are visiting tons of parks throughout the year. It costs $120 (in 2026) and with the tiered entree fees (1 adult is $6, next costs $2 more, then the next is $1.50…) you would likely save money by just paying per entrance. If you’re a family/group of up to 8 people, you’ll probably save on the gate fees after 8 state park visits, but otherwise it’s not a great deal.
What State Parks Have WE Been To?
I know you didn’t ask, but I think it’s important to show that we really are experts when it comes to visiting Florida State Parks. While we haven’t been to every single one of the 175 sites, we’ve visited 70 of the State Parks. It’s tough to choose our absolute favorite, but considering where we’ve spent the MOST TIME, it would be Silver Springs State Park in Ocala. It’s genuinely beautiful and magical.
Here’s our list of Florida State Parks that we’ve visited, so if you have any questions about them, please reach out. We’re totally happy to share more info and tips for each park!
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- St. Andrews State Park
- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Crystal River Preserve State Park
- Crystal River Archaeological State Park
- Collier-Seminole State Park
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
- Big Talbot Island State Park
- Little Talbot Island State Park
- Perdido Key State Park
- Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
- Big Lagoon State Park
- Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
- Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
- Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
- St. George Island State Park
- Fanning Springs State Park
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- Big Shoals State Park
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park
- Ybor City Museum State Park
- Little Manatee River State Park
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Alafia River State Park
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
- Rock Springs Run State Reserve
- Lake Louisa State Park
- Lake Griffin State Park
- Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
- Estero Bay Preserve State Park
- Cayo Costa State Park
- Lovers Key State Park
- St. Marks River Preserve State Park
- DeSoto Site Historic State Park
- Cedar Key Museum State Park
- Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
- Rainbow Springs State Park
- Silver Springs State Park
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- Curry Hammock State Park
- Indian Key Historic State Park
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
- Bahia Honda State Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Long Key State Park
- Fort Clinch State Park
- Amelia Island State Park
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Lake Kissimmee State Park
- Ravine Gardens State Park
- Oscar Scherer State Park
- Myakka River State Park
- Anastasia State Park
- Fort Mose Historic State Park
- Faver-Dykes State Park
- Tomoka State Park
- Blue Spring State Park
- Bulow Creek State Park
- North Peninsula State Park
- De Leon Springs State Park
- Hontoon Island State Park
- Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
I hope you’re inspired to visit some of the awesome Florida State Parks now! If you have any questions about the ones we’ve recommended or even the ones we haven’t, we’re always happy to share more and help you plan an unforgettable trip through Florida!
Also check out other Florida travel websites: TheKeysExplored.com and StAugustineExplored.com
