These 11 State Parks Are The Best In Florida, According To Our Readers
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Marisa Roman
Author
We’re very lucky that Florida is home to so much natural beauty. From the lakes and the springs to the beautiful beaches, some of the best natural features might be right in your own backyard. And what better place to scout for these gems than in state parks? We polled our readers on our Only In Florida Facebook page and found the top state parks. Whether you’re planning a getaway in the sunshine or a chance to escape for the weekend with the whole family, here are some of the best state parks in Florida that our readers came up with.
Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, USA
Formerly known as Silver River State Park, this Marion County gem contains Florida’s very first tourist attraction - Silver Springs. Dating back to the 1870s, people used to head to this area in order to enjoy the crystal clear waters of one of the largest springs in the country. Today, you can take a glass-bottom boat tour and get a unique vantage point of this magical place.
Let's head to Silver Springs State Park to enjoy this unique state park in Florida in this video from PS Adventures:
Let's head to Silver Springs State Park to enjoy this unique state park in Florida in this video from PS Adventures:
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, 1900 E Gulf Beach Dr, St George Island, FL 32328, USA
This state park on St. George Island is a real beauty. Visitors are able to enjoy a strip of paradise on this barrier island with a day pass or spend the night at a campsite. At nearly 2,000 acres of natural wonderment, including ocean access, you might want to spend longer than just one night here.
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Camp Helen State Park, 23937 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, USA
Camp Helen State Park is a place where guests can immerse themselves in natural beauty and an environment rich in scrub oak forests and winding sand dunes. While often overlooked, this ecological gem is situated near Panama City Beach right over the Phillips Inlet Bridge. With a rare dune lake to explore, this is truly one of the most special, and perhaps underrated state parks in the state.
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Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA
Bahia Honda State Park is an island in the Florida Keys that is a rare find, but a popular attraction. Not only is there an award-winning beach that you can swim and paddle through, but there is also a historic bridge that has become a photographer’s dream. Come enjoy a day in the sunshine and snorkel through this slice of paradise.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 4150 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446, USA
If you’re looking for the perfect place to view wildlife in its natural habitat, then head to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This park is known for a lot of things, but most importantly it is the place to see manatees up close! Bring your camera for this one - you never know when you might run into alligators, black bears, red wolves, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes, and so much more.
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Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA
Where history and nature collide. Fort Clinch State Park is located near Amelia Island right along the Amelia River. Part of the beauty of this 1,400-acre state park is the fact that the 19th-century Fort Clinch is situated here! Enjoy the rows of cannons still pointing across the St. Mary’s River as you learn all about this state park and the importance it has within the Civil War.
PS Adventures does it again with this fun video about Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island with a brief stop at a farmers market in downtown Fernandina Beach:
PS Adventures does it again with this fun video about Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island with a brief stop at a farmers market in downtown Fernandina Beach:
Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA
This Florida state park is quite a doozy. Clocking in at 37,000 acres, Myakka River State Park offers so much to guests. First opened in 1942, this park highlights the Myakka River, which flows through 58 square miles of the park. Did we happen to mention this is one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks, too? Enjoy a diverse landscape and tons of hiking trails!
Honeymoon Island State Park is located on the barrier island of Honeymoon Island. Stretching across 385 acres, plus at least four miles of beach, this state park is a real gem. There are numerous things to do here to explore, from hiking pine flatwood trails to laying out a towel and catching the sun. With three distinct beaches to choose from, this is a vacation in and of itself.
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Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
Near the Palm Coast along A1A, visitors will find Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, a serene spot in nature that many might not know to exist. The park is most famous for its formal gardens, but also for the preservation of the original habitat of a Florida barrier island. With 425 acres of preserved coastal scenery, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Henderson Beach State Park, 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, USA
What is the perfect word you can use to describe Henderson Beach State Park? Majestic. Picture 30-foot snowy white sand dunes, Florida sun glinting off the rolling waves, and warm gulf waters to frolic in. The best part of it all - this is usually a much less crowded park than many of the others in the area.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Rounding out this list is one of South Florida’s true gems - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Surrounded by beautiful turquoise water, just minutes from downtown Miami, this state park offers some respite from the more popular Miami beaches. Plus, one of the best attractions in the park is Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. History and natural beauty all rolled into one.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is another one of our favorite Florida state parks. Learn more about it in this video from That Adventure Life:
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is another one of our favorite Florida state parks. Learn more about it in this video from That Adventure Life:
Have you visited any of these state parks in Florida? Did your favorite make the list? Share your stories of the best state parks in Florida that you have visited in the comments section!
Do you know what goes well with Florida state parks? Hiking! That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate Florida hiking trails guide for you (and us) to refer to to find amazing hikes in the Sunshine State. One of the best ways to keep up with trail conditions is by using AllTrails+.
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More to Explore
More amazing places to explore in Florida
Where can I go hiking in Florida?
Florida might be a bountiful beach state but that doesn't mean we don't love a good hike as well. It's a good thing there are so many wonderful and unique hikes in Florida. Here are a few of our favorite places to go hiking in Florida:
- Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail, Sanford, FL: Let's start our trail list off with a fun and adventurous 7.3-mile loop trail that will take you through a dense jungle-like area filled with wildlife. Bring your oversized bug swatter to get some extra exercise in while walking along the St. Johns River. There may be an occasional alligator, bear, and snake sighting so keep your eyes peeled.
- Black Rock Trail, Jacksonville, FL: If you'd rather ditch the creepy crawlies and head to the beach, this easy one-mile walk along the beach in Big Talbot Island State Park is refreshing. Hunt for driftwood and unique seashells while enjoying the feel of the soft sand between your toes. You'll also discover interesting tide pools where you can catch a peak at scurrying crabs.
- Robinson's Preserve Full Trail System, Bradenton, FL: This trail system has plenty of options for a hike through nature. If you enjoy waterfowl and other native Florida birds, this 7.5-mile loop will definitely offer you chances to spot interesting birds. It is also a wonderful fishing area if you bring a pole and enjoy a lazy afternoon by the water. There is also a lookout tower that will give you amazing views of the entire area.
From unique swamps, marches, and forests to sandy beaches, Florida has a unique and diverse ecosystem that makes for some wonderful hiking.