Whenever we hear the word “Florida”, the beach is the first thing that comes to our mind 🙂
There are countless options when it comes to Florida’s beautiful white sand beaches and amazing state parks full of greenery and wildlife. It’s simply a paradise in the United States.
In this article, we have gathered some of the most popular as well as most beautiful Florida’s State Parks you can visit with your family or friends.
We’ve listed a few FAQs and 22 different state parks across Florida. We keep our list a bit diverse, so you can find beach parks, lakes, forests, caves, and other amazing natural highlights of Florida.
Whether you are planning a weekend getaway, coming to Florida for holiday, or planning a cross-country road trip, you definitely want to check out some of these amazing Florida state parks below.
State Parks are sorted from South to North Florida
Curry Hammock State Park – Key West
Located halfway between Key Largo and Key West, Curry Hammock State Park is uniquely known for its large areas of mangrove, rockland hammocks, and seagrass beds making it essential to the Florida Keys ecosystem.
The perfect location for any adventurous kayaker or paddleboarder.
With 28 sites to pick from, you will have a selection of places to stay and activities to enjoy. Most sites are equipped with grave parking areas for cars and RVs.
All campsites offer water and 15/30/50 amp electric hookups. You will have access to swimming, a playground, picnic tables, grills, and public showers on the ocean side of Little Crawl Key.
The waters surrounding the park are usually calm and gentle, making them ideal for many activities including canoeing or fishing.
However, there are no facilities for powerboats and most waters within Curry Hammock State Park are a no-combustion zone.
Bahia Honda State Park – KEY WEST
If you’re headed from the southern tip of Florida to the Keys, be sure to stop off in Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia provides visitors with the chance to watch exotic birds, enjoy the water and relax under the stars. It’s a pet-friendly spot for leashed animals and offers camping, cabins, and some of the best RV spots in Florida.
Water fans will put the boat ramp and canoe-kayak launch to good use. You can also spend time on the beach, sunning, swimming, or just watching the waves.
Keep an eye out for wildlife while at Bahia. Not only is this park celebrated by birders, but Bahia is helping to save the Miami Blue Butterfly from extinction.
Be sure to save time for a visit to Fort Zachary Taylor to study the lives of soldiers defending the southeastern coastline during the Civil and Spanish-American wars.
Faver-Dykes State Park
Set just outside of St. Augustine, Faver-Dykes State Park is a perfect place to launch a canoe or kayak into Pellicer Creek. This meandering stream flows to the Matanzas River and is a part of one of the most pristine tidal marshes on the east coast of Florida.
The area is home to both salt and freshwater fish and fantastic birding and wildlife-watching opportunities. Spot a deer, hawk, or river otter. During the right time of the year, you can also find wood warblers, eagles, and falcons nesting.
The campground is set in a hardwood hammock and it offers 30 sites for both tents and smaller RVs (under 35 feet). Amenities include picnic areas, playgrounds, and restrooms.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Located in Key Largo, Florida Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of the State’s parks that has more to offer. Book a ticket and come visit this literally underwater playground!
Stop by John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to enjoy kayaking through the mangroves, and go snorkeling off of Cannon Beach.
Known as the first undersea park in America, the place is made up of approximately 70 nautical square miles of fun. From snorkeling tours to observe the colorful active life in shallow-water coral reefs to Scuba Diving to see and experience its unique wildlife.
But if you are not feeling like getting wet, the glass-bottom boat tour is what you are looking for. Learn about the history of the reef as you see turtles, sharks, and hundreds of kinds of fish from the safety of a boat.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – Near MIAMI
Set on the tip of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a popular alternative to Miami’s city beaches. In fact, this park is one of the most visited state parks in the area and its coast is ranked among the top 10 beaches nationwide.
But visitors don’t come only for the Florida sunshine. The state park also offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, rich fauna and flora, fine dining, as well as a plethora of other activities to engage in.
Walk or bike the trails, fish, rent a boat or a kayak. You can also delve into history on guided tours through 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse or the keeper’s cottage.
Note that Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park gets crowded at the weekends. Therefore, we recommend you arrive early or come on a weekday.
Oleta River State Park – Near MIAMI
Oleta River State Park is just north of Miami and offers visitors a bit of wilderness with plenty of access to city amenities. The park is crisscrossed by many waterways, including the Oleta River.
You can rent a canoe and check out the deeper recesses of the park, or fish off the pier and enjoy relaxing along the water.
There’s a great beach for a quick dip, shower facilities for cleaning up, and plenty of wildlife to study. Bring your bike and check out the trails. Don’t forget your binoculars so you can scope out the birds.
Oleta River State Park is a great spot for families with children. If Miami is feeling a bit too crowded, you can easily escape to Oleta for a quiet walk or paddle among the mangrove trees. Thanks to the sandbar to the east, the coast of this park is protected. If you’re a novice kayaker or paddleboarder, you can test your oars here!
You can bring in a picnic and set out a table at one of the pavilions, or just spread a blanket on the beach.
Lovers Key State Park Florida – SOUTHWEST
Well-named for its romantic setting, Lovers Key State Park is located on Lover’s Key and three barrier islands, Black Island, Inner, and Long Key, and lies within the city limits of Bonita Springs. With just one visit, it is easy to see why this place is popular as a wedding destination.
Featuring a two-mile-long beach on Lovers Key, campers are welcome to stroll and enjoy the local wildlife. This includes West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, osprey, snowy egrets, and over 40 bird species that call this place home.
Amenities include trails, picnic areas, a boarding ramp, and two playgrounds for family use.
The facilities also offer canoe, bicycle, and kayak rentals for those traveling light but seeking to make the most of what Lovers Key has to offer.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park – SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Its amazing natural resources should be enough for you to pay a visit to Jonathan Dickinson State Park this year.
Located at the north of Burt Reynolds’ state the park offers two campgrounds. Pine Grove is situated on the east side of the park and The River Campground is situated around four miles from the park entrance.
At either campground, you’ll be close to water, power, a table, and flame broil, yet sewer hookups are just offered at Pine Grove. In the event that you have an equestrian outdoors buddy, there are five campgrounds that can suit your steed.
There are just two crude exploring campgrounds off the Florida Trail, which are additionally accessible by booking.
Simply make a point to pack a stove, as kindling gathering is not allowed in Florida state parks.
Caladesi Island State Park – near TAMPA
Caladesi Island State Park is located on the Island of Caladesi in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located in the west of Dunedin, Florida.
If you ask for any special point to visit in 2022 where you can enjoy the best time of your life, we will suggest you visit the most amazing beaches of Caladesi Island State Park. This Caladesi Island State Park is the perfect location for people who want to spend some time on the peaceful beaches of Florida.
You don’t need to worry about staying on Caladesi Island. The hotels on this Island are really comfortable and available at different rates.
You can book any hotel in Caladesi Island ranging from 4 to 5-star hotels. The price of the stay can vary depending upon the location and the surroundings. A stay in Caladesi Island is usually not very expensive.
Alafia River State Park
Are you a cycling enthusiast living or traveling around Tampa? Then, Alafia River State Park is a spot for you.
This state park is set about 45 minutes southeast of the city and boasts 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, a great option for mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians alike. There are also several lakes around offering fishing and canoeing opportunities.
Wanna spend more than just a day there? You can stay in the full-facility campground. Should you wish for a bit more comfort, there are also luxury glamping tents available.
Troubles with your bikes? No worries. There is also a full-service bike shop and its staff is ready to assist you with anything you might need.
Lake Kissimmee State Park – Central Florida
Nestled in the famous cow country in Central Florida, Lake Kissimmee State Park is a family-friendly park that boasts a rustic atmosphere. It’s also home to the 1876 Florida Cow Hunters Camp where cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations.
But not just that. Enjoy boating, canoeing, or fishing in one of the three surrounding lakes – Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Whereas nature enthusiasts will appreciate more than 13 miles of trails where they can observe abundant plant and animal life, including bald eagles, white-tailed deer, or even bobcats. 6 miles of the trails are also accessible to equestrians.
The campground has both full hook-up campsites, as well as primitive camping facilities, and is perfect for stargazing.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Just a few miles from Tampa, beach lovers and adventure stickers can find this natural island, home to eagles, osprey, great horned owls, and much more!
The island covers 4 miles of beaches and 3 miles of hiking trails with picnic areas equipped with restrooms and playgrounds.
The facilities at Honeymoon Island State Park are top-notch. Although, the beach access can be a bit rough now and limited due to erosion caused by Tropical Storm Eta.
The center also counts with ranger programs, fishing areas, biking trails, and -one of our favorite ones – a dog beach!
Pro-tip: keep in mind that this is a natural park and not a tourist place exactly. So the beach can be a bit rocky, but it can be easily solved by packing a pair of water shoes!
Also, be ready to learn about the park’s history and its natural resources so you can enjoy it to the fullest!
Myakka River State Park – near TAMPA
If your goal is to explore the natural beauty of Florida, Myakka River State Park is a great spot for you. It is one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida. This state park is home to turkeys, gators, and panthers. This is one of the few state parks where you might find panthers.
Wildlife is the main attraction in Myakka River State Park and hikers can also enjoy the long trail of almost 39 miles. There are boat tours that are arranged for tourists on a daily basis.
The Deep Hole is the most famous spot if you want to see gators. In simple words, this state park is a paradise for photography lovers.
There are several campsites in the Myakka River State Park and all the facilities and services are provided near those. Some campsites are away from these facilities so it is always a good idea to bring extra food and water for you while going hiking.
Rainbow Springs State Park – near Orlando
Get your gears ready as you are going to dive deep into the history of Florida in Rainbow Springs State Park. As per history, this state park was first visited around 10,000 years ago.
Today, the Rainbow River attracts travelers for its steady all year long 72-75 temperature degrees.
The campground offers three RV or trailer-just destinations and 44 plots that take RVs or tents. A tip for the tent campers — the floor is rocky so bring good groundsheet.
Campers at the tent or RV places can expect picnic tables and water and electric hookups.
Blue Spring State Park – near Orlando
Blue Spring State Park is a perfect destination for a day trip and it’s definitely one of the best state parks near Orlando, FL.
Natural waters of Blue Spring State Park are the biggest attraction here and most of the tourists visit here just to see the manatee migration.
If you are into swimming then Blue Spring State Park has a lot to offer for your adventure-loving soul.