Learn | Florida State Parks

Safety Updates

Beginning May 21, as part of our phased re-opening Florida State Parks began offering limited camping availability for our guests. For the protection of both staff and visitors, cabins will remain closed until June 9. At parks where camping is offered, there may also be measures in place to reduce density while honoring current reservations. For details on specific parks, please visit their webpage(s). Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. As such, we will continue to review our operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health.

DEP continues to re-open Florida State Parks for day use as part of Phase one to re-open Florida. As these parks are re-opening, DEP will be taking measures to ensure the protection of staff and the public. During this phase of re-opening, visitors should expect limited hours, capacity and amenities. Portions of these parks and trails have been identified that can be reopened for day-use with limited risk to visitors and staff. To reduce risk, cash transactions for park admission are limited to exact change.

View re-opening and closure details

A strike team member is visible driving a fire engine.

Florida Park Service Teams Help Fight Panhandle Wildfire

During the spring and summer months, news reports of wildland fires raging somewhere in the nation are common. Sometimes, state park staff are called upon by the Florida Forest Service to fight fire both within and outside of state parks.

A couple in the woods, one looking through a pair of binoculars.

Summer is for the Birds: Birding Basics

Do you ever notice bird sounds outside your window, or catch sight of fluttering movement in the canopy during a walk in the park? There are about 330 native species of birds in Florida, and you can find many of them in Florida State Parks.

Grayton Beach

Dr. Beach Recognizes Florida State Park Beaches as the Best in Nation

Two Florida State Park beaches have been recognized among the best in the nation on Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman's Top 10 Beach List for 2020. Grayton Beach State Park is ranked at No. 1 and Caladesi Island State Park is ranked at No. 6. Both parks offer white sand beaches, beautiful scenery and amenities for visitors to enjoy.

The stamp photograph shows a walkway with pink and white flowers at Maclay Gardens.

New Postal Stamp Commemorates Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the natural beauty of American gardens by issuing stamps that feature gardens ranging from botanical to country estate and municipal gardens. One of the 10 gardens featured on the new stamp series is Florida’s own Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.

A sea turtle nesting on the beach

Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day

Florida is home to five species of sea turtles. Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. You can celebrate with us by checking out our critter sheets, coloring pages and a turtle-y awesome episode of The Outsiders Club.

Virtual Junior Ranger Block

Virtual Junior Ranger

Welcome to becoming a Virtual Junior Ranger. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program is a fun and engaging way to learn about parks and connect to the natural and cultural wonders of Florida.

A view of the jetty.

Webcam: Watch the Jetty and Surf

Sebastian Inlet is a beautiful place where land meets sea. Check out the latest photos of the north jetty and watch the surf on these two webcams.

Four manatees swim at the spring.

Webcam: Watch the Manatees Swim

Check out this webcam to watch the manatees swim in the spring at Blue Spring State Park.

A group of people use colorful inflated tubes to float down the Ichetucknee River.

When the Masses Meet the Grasses

What happens when A LOT of people want to tube the Ichetucknee River? How do we ensure that the experience will be just as fun next year, for those wishing to tube it for the first time or the next time? It’s a delicate balance between protecting the resource and encouraging visitors to experience it. Join Park Biologist Sam Cole in this edition of the Biologists Tell the Story as he explains the science behind the balancing act.

A green sea turtle swims underwater at John D MacArthur Beach State Park

Sea Turtle Nesting Season is Here

Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. As nesting season begins, park staff and biologists are preparing to monitor nests and keep them safe. The majority of nesting takes place between March and October.

Mound platform at Crystal River Archaeological State Park.

Dig Deep Into Archaeology in State Parks

Do you ever think about what’s under your feet? Archaeologists do! Most of what we know about Florida’s long inhabitation by Native Americans comes from the work of archaeologists who carefully uncover buried or hidden artifacts. Florida State Parks protect this archaic evidence and tell the story of the state’s past.

A view of the Santa Fe River at River Rise Preserve State Park.

State Park System Grows to Protect Important Habitat

Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the addition of 17 acres to River Rise Preserve State Park in Columbia County as well as a 47-acre parcel to Bulow Creek State Park near Ormond Beach in Volusia County.

Burnt cutthroat grass can be seen low to the ground with tall pine trees in this distance.

Using Fire to Manage Natural Landscapes

Many of Florida's natural landscapes depend upon fire to develop and maintain healthy ecosystems and reduce the risks of wildfire. Join Environmental Specialist Matthew Hodge in this edition of the Biologists Tell the Story as he describes planning for a prescribed fire and measuring the success of this tool.

A portrait of park volunteer Rita King

Show Parks Some Love: Conversation with a Park Volunteer

This February, show parks some love! Volunteering at Florida State Parks is fun and rewarding. We talked to a volunteer about her experience at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

A couple leans in to take a picture of a spider and spider web in the foreground.

The Science of Beauty

The 2019 Florida State Parks Fall Photo Contest winners have been chosen, and we still enjoy looking at these great photos. We talked to a Florida Park Service biologist about the science behind these images and how the beauty in a single image is connected to the ecosystems that state parks protect.

A line of 5 reenactors wearing blue and red historic costume prepare to fire muskets.

State Parks Preserve African-American History, Untold Stories

The theme of 2020 Florida Black History Month is “Celebrating Untold Stories and Contributions of African Americans in Florida.” Florida State Parks protect landmarks and places significant to black history in Florida. These state parks and historic sites tell compelling stories about the impact African-Americans have had on Florida’s history and culture.