Learn | Florida State Parks

Safety Updates

Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. These requirements vary from area to area. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location.

View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings.

Hurricane Zeta

Parks closed in anticipation of Hurricane Zeta have reopened for day use activities. Please visit specific park webpages for details or visit Storm Updates for additional information.

Portrait of Mickey Thomason.

Mickey Thomason

Mickey recommends studying the maps of the 100-mile long Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway before starting an adventure.

John patrolling the trails on a bicycle.

John Hamilton

John's love of mountain biking led him to the trails at Santos on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Mark reads a children's book.

Mark Manning

Mark enjoying working on the Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail.

Portrait of Kate Spratt.

Kate Spratt

Kate recommends looking for wildlife while exploring the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Portrait of Francesca Kardos

Francesca Kardos

Francesca recommends exploring the Gainesville-to-Hawthorne State Trail.

Portrait of Rachel Nunlist.

Rachel Nunlist

As the manager of the trail, Rachel recommends you prepare before exploring the remote General James A. Van Fleet Trail.

Bre riding a horse.

Bre Ximenes

When visiting the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, don't miss "the Island" in Ocala.

Paddling at Savannas

Wild and Natural Paddling

Florida State Parks have some of the state’s best waterways for paddlers of every skill level. See wildlife, enjoy the peace and quiet or explore wild, hidden places.

Biologist removes swallowtail caterpiller from vial.

Endangered Butterfly Gets a Boost

At Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Florida Park Service biologist Rebecca Collins joined butterfly technicians from the University of Florida’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity to release dozens of Schaus’ swallowtail caterpillars.

Heather Shuke-Nelson

Heather feels her focus on service, teamwork and leadership are rooted in her scouting experiences.

Two Girl Scouts doing Junior Ranger activities. Includes superimposed Girl Scouts Love State Parks and Florida State Park logos

Girl Scouts Love State Parks - More Interviews

Heather Coleman

Heather Coleman

Heather learned how to communicate through selling Girl Scout cookies and teaching skills to younger scouts.

Lynne Flannery

Lynne Flannery

Lynne says countless hours exploring her childhood neighborhood led to a science degree.

Chanel Guillaume

Chanell Guillaume

Chanell finds peace, wonder and discovery while exploring (and working) at Florida’s state parks.

Alice Bard testing weather

Alice Bard

Alice says believe in yourself as a leader and follow the Girl Scout Law.

Maya Hoffman

Maya Hoffman

Maya’s Girl Scout experience taught her about camping and nature. Today, she uses that knowledge to give back to the community.