Amphitheater

The first Azalea Pageant was held at the Amphitheater in 1938 and the Azalea Festival was touted as one of the oldest festivals in Florida. The park, in partnership with The Friends of Ravine Gardens, hosts a spring concert series on the weekends at the Amphitheater in March and April.

Bicycling

Bike areas are provided.

Family Reunions

We have inside and outside locations available for family reunions. Offered are covered picnic pavilions, open-aired picnic locations around the park loop drive with grills and picnic tables, and rental facilities inside our community center.

Gardens

This 146-acre park is a combination of formal and natural gardens. Natural vegetation ranges from mosses and ferns to woody shrubs and hardwood forest. Look for live oaks, hickory, sweet gum, longleaf pines, cabbage palm and cypress. About five acres are formal gardens, with stone terraces and water features. During the peak blooming season from January through April, the park bursts into color from thousands of azaleas, Chickasaw plums, dogwoods and camellias.

Geo-Seeking

Are you ready for an outdoor treasure hunting game? Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online. Ravine Gardens has some geocaches located within the park and trails. Check the Geocaching website for clues.

The Florida State Parks Civilian Conservation Corps Geotrail is now at www.Geocaching.com. Nine parks were built by the CCC and Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Search for all nine caches and end at the CCC Museum at Highlands Hammock State Park and receive a commemorative geocoin. GC codes: GC38Y93 Fort Clinch State Park
GC3BG4G Florida Caverns State Park
GC3D02X Highlands Hammock State Park
GC3BG4A Hillsborough River State Park
GC3ABB5 Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
GC3BG4N Myakka River State Park
GC3ABBC O’Leno State Park
GC38Y8V Ravine Gardens State Park
GC3BG4E Torreya State Park
GC38Y9F Florida State Parks FINAL CCC Cache – located in Highlands Hammock State Park.

Hiking/Nature Trail

Hiking trails are available.

Interpretive Exhibit

Interpretive exhibits on park history are on display in the Civic Center and along the Park Drive.

Meetings & Retreats

We have six inside facility rental locations available in our community building for meetings and retreats. Photos of Civic Center

Pets

Pets are allowed in Ravine Gardens State Park and on the multi-use trail system. They must be kept on a six-foot, hand held leash and well behaved at all times. Pets may not be left unattended at any time. Please pick up after your pet. Potty bags are provided at two locations in the park.

Picnic Pavilion

We have two pavilions located within the park. Our large covered pavilion is located next to the formal gardens and holds up to 100 people. Our smaller pavilion is located at the Amphitheater and holds up to 20 people.

Picnicking

There are numerous sites along the 1.8 mile paved ravine perimeter road to picnic. Picnic tables and grills are available at no additional charge. Stairways and trail access into the ravines are located near each picnic area.  Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited except in the Civic Center, where Alcohol is allowed during park-sanctioned events, within designated areas only.  

Playground

Our playground is located along the drive that circles the ravines. It is past the amphitheatre and the bathrooms on the drive, approximately 1 mile from the start of the drive. Included are swings, a slide and climbing equipment, nestled in the shade provided by the trees around the ravines.

Recycling

We have recycling containers in all common use areas for aluminum and plastic. The recycling is separated and taken off the park by Keep Putnam Beautiful volunteers, and the proceeds of collecting the recycled items go to Keep Putnam Beautiful and the Friends of Ravine Gardens; local non profit groups.

Restroom Facilities

Ravine Gardens has ADA compliant public restroom facilities on both floors of the Roy E. Campbell Civic Center. Additionally, our 1.8 mile paved drive has restroom facilities approximately half mile from the start of the drive, which can easily be accessed by visitors using the nearby playground facility and small picnic pavilion, as well as walkers and hikers.

Tours

Private Park Ranger led wagon tours are available for $64.20 including tax. Tours last approximately 45 minutes.  Please call the park for more details.

Weddings

The gardens, pavilions, gazebos, and the Court Of States are perfect locations for weddings. The Community Center has rooms available for rent for wedding receptions.

Wedding Floor Plan

Wedding Fees

Photos of the Civic Center Room

Civic Center Wedding Sites

Wildlife Viewing

Visitors may see many types of wildlife throughout the park and a good place for viewing is right along the main park drive or on the nature trails. Early morning and right before sunset are typically the best times for viewing. Birds of all types, squirrels, opossum, skunks, fox, otters, fish, alligators, and turtles are seen throughout the park. Ravine Gardens - Birding List -