Most people know that Florida is the place to go for beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and amazing theme parks. What some people don’t realize is that Florida is actually full of amazing natural areas, even beyond those amazing beaches.
Many of these natural areas are state parks. In fact, we’d even go as far as to say Florida has one of the best state park systems!
To show you what we mean, here are the 12 best state parks in Florida.
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Located in the northern part of the Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the perfect state park for the divers and snorkelers out there. Here you can explore colorful coral reefs that are teeming with life, or swim out from the beach to visit a sunken ship and see what treasures it has in store.
Prefer to stay dry? There are also glass-bottom boat tours available, allowing you to see under the water without diving in.
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Myakka River State Park
One of the oldest, largest, and best state parks in Florida, Myakka River State Park is located just outside of Sarasota, making it a great addition to a visit to the area. The park boasts an astounding 37,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, and pinelands, inviting visitors to explore. The Myakka River also flows through the park, adding to the diversity of the natural area.
One of the best features of this Florida state park is the canopy walkway, which allows guests to get a bird’s eye view of the park as they walk through the treetops.
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Honeymoon Island State Park
If you’re looking for the perfect beach day, Honeymoon Island State Park might be one of the best Florida state parks for you. Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, this park offers pristine white sand beaches and clear waters that are sure to tempt you to jump in.
Other activities visitors enjoy in this park include fishing, shelling, and walking along the trails that wind themselves through pine forests and mangrove swamps. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for cool birds like eagles and owls!
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Grayton Beach State Park
If you’re looking for the best Florida state parks in the panhandle, look no further than Grayton Beach State Park. This is another beach-lovers’ paradise, so be sure to pack a swimsuit so you can fully enjoy the white sands and emerald green waters.
Of course, you’ll also want to check out the rare coastal dune lakes that call this park home and make time to wander the trails that pass through coastal forests and stunning sand dunes.
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Bahia Honda State Park
No list of the best state parks in Florida would be complete without mention of the gorgeous Bahia Honda State Park. Yes, this is yet another beach-focused park, but the beaches here are some of the best you’ll ever see, and the sunsets are even better.
We recommend going for a swim in the crystal clear waters and then walking up the old Bahia Honda Bridge for sunset, enjoying the view of the water while listening to the staff blow conch shells. Once the sun sets, stay a while for a bit of stargazing, which happens to be excellent from this location.
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Silver Springs State Park
We’ve mentioned a lot of beaches so far, but what about the springs? Florida is home to countless springs and they are all lovely. That said, Silver Springs State Park is definitely one of the best ones.
This park is famous for its sparkling, crystal clear waters, which allow you to look straight down at the critters swimming around beneath the water’s surface. The glass-bottom boat tours offered here make this experience even better.
Other in-park activities include hiking and biking trails, paddling along Silver River, and wildlife watching.
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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park started as a privately owned attraction, offering guests a chance to see “real” mermaids swimming in the shining waters of the spring. Today, the mermaids can still be seen performing twice a day. However, considering this is now a state park, you can also expect to enjoy some fun in nature during your visit.
The animal ranger talk is wonderful, and the narrated boat ride is equally informative. Both give info on the local flora and fauna, and both are fun for the whole family.
Bonus: Visiting on a super hot day? Consider adding a visit to the onsite water park to your adventure!
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Homosassa Springs State Park
Another state park that was originally a privately owned attraction, Homosassa Springs State Park is another of the best state parks in Florida. This one is pretty much a small zoo, but instead of exotic animals, the park houses native animals who have been hurt.
The one exception is Lu the Hippo. He is left from the park’s days as a more traditional zoo and is now one of the oldest hippos in the world. He was tons of fun to watch during our own visit, so we highly recommend stopping by his enclosure.
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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Another park in the Keys, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park also makes the list of best state parks in Florida. This one is located way down in Key West and features a Civil War-era fort with a fascinating history and plenty of exhibits explaining that history.
After exploring the fort, be sure to head to the beach in the park. This spot is absolutely beautiful and allows you to watch the cruise ships coming and going. Just be sure to wear water shoes, as the rocks in the water can be quite painful.
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Curry Hammock State Park
Yes, we are including yet another state park in the Keys, but we think Curry Hammock State Park also deserves a place here. Like other state parks in the Keys, this park does have a beach and it is quite lovely. (Be sure to watch for little critters, which seem to be abundant in the sand here.)
That said, the stars of the show are the paddling trails. We highly recommend paddling the Mangrove Tunnel Trail. This one takes you across the open ocean, into a lagoon, and through a tunnel of mangrove trees. Getting through the “tunnel” is a bit challenging but a ton of fun.
Note: Rental kayaks are available in the park for a reasonable fee.
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Blue Spring State Park
Another spring that is well worth visiting, Blue Spring State Park should absolutely be on any list of the best Florida state parks. The main attraction at this park? Manatees! During the winter months, there are dozens of manatees swimming in the springs. These graceful giants can be seen from the easy-to-walk boardwalk that goes out over the water.
The park is also home to the Thursday Homestead. This was built in the mid-19th century on a Native American midden, and the park does a great job of telling the story of the homestead.
Note: It is important to arrive early to this park and be patient, as it does reach capacity during the winter months and you may have to wait your turn to get in.
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Anastasia State Park
Last on our list of the best state parks in Florida, Anastasia State Park is a great pick for anyone in the northeast part of the state. The beach here is interesting because the sand is oddly orange, creating an absolutely gorgeous color contrast between the sand, the sea, and the sky. Be sure to schedule plenty of beach time so you can relax, listen to the waves, and enjoy this amazing and unique view.
You’ll also want to walk some of the park’s trails, especially the Marsh Trail. This isn’t a particularly great trail in and of itself, but the burrowing crabs, cool birds, and giant oyster beds we found along the path made it a worthwhile walk.
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Florida State Parks RV Rentals
Clearly, Florida state parks offer some of the best getaways in the state. The best way to enjoy any of the best Florida state parks? In an RV, of course! In many cases, staying in an RV allows you to stay in the park itself, meaning the adventure is right outside your door.
That said, you will need to find a way to get the RV to the state park or a nearby campground. This is where rental RV delivery comes into play. Having your rental RV delivered means you can leave the parking and setup to a pro, so you can focus on fully enjoying your getaway.
