Carol’s passion for protecting state parks is what makes her an exceptional volunteer.

Learn how to protect and preserve the pristine waters that make Florida unique!

Madison Blue Spring is world famous for underwater cave diving and exploration, while the Withlacoochee River provides ample opportunities for paddling adventures. The spring’s clear blue waters originate from the lower Oligocene Suwannee Limestone, part of the Floridan aquifer system.

Mermaid Ashleigh enjoys eating seafood pasta and ice cream with sprinkles.

Ranger Shannon Black enjoys spending time on our waterways and shores.

Bring your reusable water bottle on your visits to our state parks. Refilling water bottles helps keep single-use plastic out of our waterways, landfills and landscapes.

The sinkhole basin is important in the development of the park’s signature landforms - the steephead ravines.

The geologic story of the park begins with a mix of sand, clay and carbonates (limestone and dolostone) deposited between 23 to 12 million years ago.

First Day Hikes is a national event where tens of thousands of people get outdoors on New Year's Day. It’s a celebration of the new year and a way to start it right with a relaxing walk outdoors.

Why do rapids and shoals (shallow places in streams) exist in Big Shoals? The answer is geology!

November is Florida Paddlesports Month, and there’s no better place to get out on the water than at a Florida State Park.

Volunteer Julie Lake has lived a life outdoors. Originally from Jamaica, she moved to Florida as a child and spent all her time playing outside. She moved to Gainesville in 1998 and enjoys exploring the parks in the area.

Brianna Moorehead was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, and developed her interest in parks and recreation in 2018 on a trip to Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Like most visitors, she fell in love with the park.

Jan says that working for Florida State Parks is the best job she's ever had.