Site Search
Florida State Parks
- NORTHWEST FLORIDA
- Pensacola Area
- Panama City Area
- Tallahassee Area
- Alphabetical Order
- NORTHEAST FLORIDA
- Gainesville Area
- Jacksonville Area
- Ocala Area
- Lake City Area
- Alphabetical Order
- CENTRAL FLORIDA
- Daytona Beach Area
- Orlando/Kissimmee Area
- St. Augustine
- Alphabetical Order
- SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
- Tampa Area
- Fort Myers Area
- Naples Area
- Alphabetical Order
- SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
- West Palm Beach Area
- Fort Lauderdale Area
- Miami Area
- Florida City Area
- The Keys
- Alphabetical Order
- USEFUL LINKS
- Alphabetical Listing
- Parks with Camping
- Parks Admitting Pets
- RV Campsites
- Pet Policy
- Fee Schedule
NEW LISTINGS |
Check For Deals
Florida Caverns State Park
Contact Information
3345 Caverns Road, Marianna 32446
(850) 482-9598 / Reservation Information: 1-800-326-3521
Florida Caverns State Park has a very large swiming area that is with in walking distance from the campground. Why not come and discover the adventure of visiting one of Florida’s premier State Parks. With so much to see and do, Florida Caverns has something for the entire family. Whether it’s touring our amazing underground caverns or an exciting canoe trip up the Chipola River, discovering your own adventure is just minutes away. If you’re really looking for something new and exciting, call for a Friday or Saturday night reservation on one of our lantern tours of the cave. Your guide portrays a Civilian Conservation Corps worker from 1940 when the park was first being developed. Tours can be reserved by calling (850) 482 - 9599 No matter what your interest: Canoeing, swimming, camping, fishing, hiking, or cave tours, Florida Caverns State Park and its staff welcome you to come and experience your adventure. For More info on how you can enjoy all Florida Caverns has to offer, please call (850) 482 - 1228
PHOTOS
 PICNIC AND PLAYGROUND |
 CAMPSITES |
 SPRING AREA |
 THE CAVE |
 CAVE AREA |
 SWIMMING AREA |
 TRAIL |
 OTHER PARK AREA PHOTOS |
 EXHIBIT |
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Cave tours are available every day of the year
except Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Summer Hours (March-September) 9:00 A.M. till 4:30
P.M.
Winter Hours (October-February) 9:00 A.M. till 4:00
P.M.
Driving Directions
Florida Caverns State Park is located 3 Miles North
of Marianna, Off of U.S. 90 on S.R. 166. From I-10
Take Marianna Exit 136 or 142 North and follow signs
to the park.
Park Activities
Boating, Boat Ramp, Bicycling, Full Camping, Youth
Camping, Campfire Circle, Canoeing, Fishing, Horse
Trails, Nature Trails, Picnicking, Swimming, Visitor
Center, and Wildlife Viewing
Boating
A boat ramp is located between the park entrance
station and the family camping area. Only small
boats are recommended to launch from this area due
to water levels and possible underwater hazards
along the Chipola River. Boaters can take a leisurely
tour along the river and can also fish and view
a variety of wildlife. Traveling south under the
bridge at the boat ramp is not recommended.
Full Facility Camping
This 1,319-acre park has 35 campsites with electric
and water hoopups available for reservation through
Reserve America.
We have two youth camp area. Both are designed to accommodate organized groups, young and old alike. The settings allow all a chance to experience primitive group camping. One area is located near the Visitors Center. It will accommodate up to 32 primitive campers. This area has 2 toilets, 1 cold shower, 1 water faucet, picnic tables, and 2 large fire pits. The second youth camping area is near the Horse Camp and Blue Hole swimming area. This primitive camping area can accommodate 20 campers. It has full bathroom facilities, including showers, picnic tables, and a large fire pit.
Canoeing
Canoeing is available up the scenic Chipola River.
Take a leisurely tour up this Florida Outstanding
Waterway and experience more of the "Real Florida".
A wide variety of flora and fauna can be observed
during your trip. Herons & Egrets, Alligators,
Beavers, and snakes are just a few common sites
you will see as you travel upstream through this
wonderful natural community. Canoe rentals are available
at the park entrance station and can be rented for
½ day and full day trips.
Concessions
The park's Gift Shop is located downstairs from
the museum in the Visitor Center. This is where
tour tickets are sold, information is given concerning
the cave tour, the park, and any other item of interest
our park patrons might need. The Gift Shop has hundreds
of items to help remember your stay at Florida Caverns
State Park, as well as, candy, soft drinks, snacks
and coffee.
Fishing
Fishing is available at the boat ramp located on
Blue Hole Drive. A variety of fish such as Bass,
Catfish, Sunfish, Mullet, etc. can be caught from
this area. A unique river sink is located here,
where the Chipola River sinks 90 feet below the
surface and finally reappears ¼ mile downstream.
Prior to the early 1900’s a ½-mile
natural land bridge existed where the Chipola River
disappeared into a sinkhole. Evidently at that time
a "log run" was created across the natural
land bridge for the purpose of floating felled timber
downstream to a nearby sawmill. Please be sure to
know your limits and follow all rules and regulations
while fishing at Florida Caverns State Park.
Golf
Adjacent to and part of the Florida Caverns State
Park is our exquisite nine-hole golf course. The
course was designed by Robert Trent Jones. It is
maintained by the Marianna Golf Association and
is a well-groomed golf course with undulating greens,
rolling hills, and some of the most beautiful scenery
in the Florida Panhandle. Don’t be surprised
to see a Fox Squirrel, or White Tail Deer during
you rounds. A pro shop is also available for your
convenience. The Course plays host to several public
and private tournaments each year to help support
local community organizations.
Horse Trails
A Equestrian Facility is Located in the center of
the multiuse trail system, horseback riders can
enjoy the use of stables and coral. A wash rack
is located directly behind these stables to clean
and cool the horses after a hard day’s work.
Restrooms and picnic shelters are also nearby for
your convenience. Horse Stables may be reserved
when camping. Please be sure to bring a current
coggin's test for each horse.
Horseback riding, bicycling, and walking are just some ways to view the beautiful scenery of Florida Caverns State Park. Tour several miles of multiuse trails while viewing natural wonders such as floodplains, sinkholes, rivers and Karst topography. View a wide variety of plants and animals as you journey through these unchanged natural areas. A trail map is available at the designated entrances to these trails as well as the park entrance station. The Upper Chipola Recreational Trail system has been established through a cooperative effort between Northwest Florida Water Management District and Florida Caverns State Park. Volunteers and staff maintain the trails and invite you to ride horses, bicycle, and walk while enjoying the Real Florida. Please remember that flowers are for everyone, insects bite, trails have wet areas and moving water is dangerous!
Picnicking
6 separate picnic areas are available for your enjoyment. Tables and grills are available on a first come first serve basis. 5 picnic pavilions located throughout the park host numerous family reunions, weddings and many other special events. Pavilions may be reserved in advance for a special event. The Hickory Shelter has a restroom facility and a playground nearby. The Horse Camp Shelter is located directly across from the Blue Hole swimming Area. Other Shelters include Pine Shelter, Beech Shelter, Blue Hole Shelter and the Sweetgum Shelter.
Swimming
Located near the campground, a river vent rises
to create the Blue Hole swimming area. This favorite
warm weather attraction provides a great way to
cool down during the hot summer months. The spring
water is usually clear during periods of low rainfall.
A retaining wall is located on the West Side of
the swimming area with a beach while the East Side
of the swimming area offers a wooden platform. Two
bridges on the North & South end of the swimming
area are good locations to view wildlife and enjoy
the surrounding scenery. The river vent, located
directly adjacent to the swimming area has been
measured at 97.6 feet deep and during periods of
heavy rain, flood waters may rise more than 10 feet
above normal levels. There are No Lifeguards on
Duty, Swim at your own Risk.
Visitor Center
The attractive Visitor Center provides historical
interpretation in its walk-through museum and large
screen video tour of the caverns. The Civilian Conservation
Corps completed this park facility in 1942. The
museum displays a large variety of exhibits offering
cultural and natural resource information. There
is a film that runs continually throughout the day
that offers visitors a glimpse of the wonders that
await them on the 45-minute tour of the Florida
Caverns.
The park gates close at sunset. If you plan to arrive late please contact the park prior to 5 PM on the day of your arrival.
Pets are allowed in family camping areas overnight. Pets are welcome overnight in all the camping parks. Pet rules apply. Domestic breeds of dogs, except guide or signal dogs or animals trained to assist individuals with a disability, cats, fur-bearing animals, birds and reptiles are not allowed in food-service areas, cabins or cabin areas, primitive campgrounds, beaches where bathing and swimming are permitted, either land and water portions, park buildings, playgrounds, and areas designated by park management. Captive wild species, whether native or non- native, and barnyard animals, except horses, are not allowed. · Pets must be well behaved at all times and confined in the owner’s camping unit during quiet hours. Unconfined pets may not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes and must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long. Please do not tie pets to park vegetation, natural or manmade structures or facilities. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are required to be vaccinated. Horse owners and users will be asked to show their certificate of a current negative Coggin’s Test for all horses entering the park. · A pet that is noisy, disturbing, intimidating or dangerous to other people or pets, or which damages park resources, will not be allowed to remain in the park. No one younger than 18 may camp overnight unless accompanied by a responsible adult, who will remain onsite for the period rented.
Due to statewide wildfire conditions, no open campfires will be allowed, indefinitely. Standup charcoal and gas grills may be used with care.
Services & Amenities:
| Within The Park | ||
|
|
|