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 historic postcard showing glass-bottom boats at Silver Springs. Courtesy Florida Memory.

Florida State Park Historic Sites Earn National Recognition

Silver Springs State Park, a popular destination for visitors who enjoy glass-bottom boat rides with a storied past, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Silver Springs is one of many places in Florida State Parks where you can experience history up-close.

Charles Richardson runs past park sign at De Leon Springs State Park.

Teen Runs 7 Marathons in 7 Days for Springs Protection

On December 17, 2019, Florida teen Charles Richardson, 19, set out to complete a “year-defining” journey by running 184 miles across Florida in one week, from Daytona Beach to Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin.

Runner on curving Boardwalk

State Parks Where You Can Get Active for the New Year

We picked out some of the best Florida State Parks for fitness, including group classes, exercise trails and opportunities to get your feet moving and explore.

Two people with their back towards the camera on a hiking trail.

First Day Hikes are the Best Way to Start 2020

We’re excited to welcome the New Year, and what better way to celebrate than with a walk in the woods? First Day Hikes is a national event where tens of thousands of people get outdoors on New Years’ Day. It’s a celebration of the new year and a way to start it right with a relaxing walk outdoors.

A group of FLCC members pose in a pine scrub landscape, wearing khaki and green uniforms and smiling.

The Florida Conservation Corps Wants You!

The Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) is an AmeriCorps National Service Program that recruits members to work on essential projects in Florida State Parks. Do you want a great opportunity to learn about biology, land management, volunteer recruitment and park outreach? FLCC is recruiting for the upcoming term of service!

Mother and Baby Alligator

8 Fantastic Florida Creatures and Where to Find Them

Florida is known for the variety and abundance of its native wildlife, and Florida State Parks are a great place to catch a glimpse of the state’s most iconic creatures. We put together a guide to famous Florida wildlife and the state parks they inhabit. Check it out!

A gazebo at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is decorated with festive tinsel and ornaments.

Florida State Parks are Open for the Holidays

Florida State Parks are a great place to celebrate the holiday season. From visits with Santa to holiday hikes and spectacular light displays, many parks are hosting special holiday events throughout the month of December. Most of Florida’s state parks and trails will be open 8 a.m. to sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Three juvenile Florida scrub-jays perch in a sand live oak tree.

Managing Florida Scrub-Jay Habitat

If you build it, they will come. That’s what Biologist Laurie Dolan found with a population of Florida scrub-jays along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. With Florida Park Service management of a 446-acre parcel of land, the population has grown from 25 birds in 2008 to more than 100 birds in 2019.

A loggerhead turtle nesting during a guided turtle walk.

Monitoring Sea Turtle Nests in Florida's State Parks

For 2019, most of the sea turtle nests have hatched and the adult turtles are migrating back to their feeding grounds. Here in Florida, park rangers, biologists and volunteers are still telling stories and planning for 2020.

Paddler dips paddle into water at Rainbow Springs State Park

Paddling Trails: A Path to the Real Florida

Imagine drifting along the coffee-colored waters of the Suwannee River. Trees clinging to the steep limestone cliffs arc out over the water, and the calls of mockingbirds and red-shouldered hawks echo off the calm river surface. November is Florida Paddlesports Month, and the weather is perfect for a relaxing trip on the water.

A hand reaches down to pick up a crumpled plastic water bottle.

What Makes a Good Friend?

Every park needs a friend! Staff at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park are happy to announce that the parks have a new friends group.

A male biologist in a Florida Park Service uniform stands proudly by a body of water.

Read New Biology Stories

Florida Park Service biologists have a fascinating and challenging job studying and protecting imperiled species, vast tracts of wildland and the dynamic interface between natural and urban areas. Discover what our scientists are doing to protect Florida's best places.

an image of a dirt trail with shrubs on each side and a bright blue sky with clouds.

Trails: Where Do They Come From, Where Do They Go?

Placed end to end, the trails in Florida State Parks would stretch from South Florida to New Hampshire. There are more than 1,500 miles of trails for walkers, hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. How did so many miles of trails come to be?

a man has his back turmed, walking on a trail with a backpack.

Eight Florida State Parks with Amazing Trails

October is Florida Greenways and Trails Month, so we put together this list of Florida State Parks that are home to scenic and unique trail systems. Check out any of these parks for a memorable time exploring Florida’s landscapes.

National Gold Medal Winner - Florida State Parks

2019 National Gold Medal Winner

Florida State Parks has been announced as the 2019 National Gold Medal award winner. The National Gold Medal honors park systems that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow singing while perched on a stick

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow

One of North America’s most endangered birds, the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, is found at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Our staff is trained to identify and locate sparrows and spends up to six months of the year searching for this unique bird