Experiences
Sinkhole (1.1 miles, red trail blaze) and Bumpnose (6.8 miles, orange trail blaze) multiuse trails in the back of the park are accessible to cyclists, equestrians (with proof of negative Coggins), and hikers. Visitors wishing to use the multiuse trails should park at the Blue Hole day use area. Please do NOT park in or block the horse campsites. To access the Sinkhole trail, walk down the grassy side of the road to the trailhead across from the Blue Hole Campground. Follow the orange blazes past the horse stables to access the Bumpnose trail.
Cycling, horseback riding and hiking are great ways to discover beautiful scenery unique to Florida Caverns State Park. While exploring the several miles of multiuse trails, visitors may view natural wonders such as floodplains, sinkholes, rivers and karst topography. As you journey through these scenic natural areas that are recovering from Hurricane Michael damage, be on the lookout for a wide variety of plants, flowers, and wildlife.
- Trail maps are available at the ranger station upon request.
- Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and equestrian riders. Florida law requires helmet use for anyone age 16 and under.
- Please remember that flowers are for everyone; insects bite; trails have wet areas; and moving water is dangerous.
The park closes at sunset and visitors must exit the park by that time; please plan accordingly. It is recommended to bring water, snacks, insect repellent, a trail map, whistle and a cellphone while on the trails.
A boat ramp is located between the park entrance station and the family camping area. Only small boats are recommended to launch from this area due to water levels and possible underwater hazards along the Chipola River. Boaters can take a leisurely tour along the river, fish and view a variety of wildlife.
- Traveling south under the bridge from the boat ramp is not recommended.
- Large boats are not recommended.
This 1,500-acre park has 38 campsites, for both recreational vehicles and tents. All sites are within a short walk or bike ride to the Blue Hole day-use area.
Thirty-two campsites in the Blue Hole camping area are equipped with 30/50-amp electricity, water, sewer hookups, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring.
Three RV/trailer campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have sewer hookups. Use of a communal dump station located at the entrance to the youth camp is free for park campers. Stables are available for visitors who bring their horses if camping in the equestrian camping facility.
Three primitive tent campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have electricity or sewer hookups.
- Restrooms with showers are available in both camping areas.
- Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy.
- Maximum RV length for the Blue Hole Campground = 32 feet.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
There are six sites in the equestrian camping area within walking distance of the Blue Hole day-use area. Three sites are RV/trailer only and three sites are tent only.
The three RV/trailer sites are equipped with 30/50 amp electricity, water, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring. No sewer hookups are available in these sites. Use of a communal dump station located at the entrance to the youth camp is free for park campers.
Stables are available for visitors who bring their horses if camping in the equestrian camping facility.
- Please bring proof of negative Coggins for each horse.
- Horses are restricted to trails.
- Three primitive tent campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have electricity.
- Restrooms with showers are available for registered campers.
- Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy.
- Maximum RV length in the equestrian camping area = 40 feet.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.
The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.
Canoe rentals on the scenic Chipola River are available daily. Contact the Florida Caverns Gift Shop at 850-526-2650 for information. A wide variety of flora and fauna can be observed during your trip. Herons, egrets, alligators, beavers and snakes are just a few common sights you may see as you travel upstream through this wonderful natural community.
- Canoe rentals are available at the gift shop and can be rented for half-day and full-day trips. Call the Florida Caverns Gift Shop for information at 850-526-2650.
- Traveling south under the bridge at the boat ramp is not recommended.
Guided cavern tours are offered seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Off-season cavern tours from Labor Day (September) to Memorial Day (end of May) are offered five days a week, Thursday through Monday. Off-season tours are not offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Guided cave tour tickets can be purchased, in person, at the Florida Caverns Gift Shop. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. CST. A limited number of online reservations may be made at the Florida Caverns Gift Shop.
The cave tour is illuminated with a new state-of-the-art LED lighting system that helps with energy efficiency while protecting the light-sensitive ecosystems of the cavern.
Tour guides will take you on a journey through time to see formations that have grown slowly over thousands of years.
- Arrive early - Cave tickets may sell out in advance, especially on weekends and holiday.
- Tour information.
Three trail systems are available at Florida Caverns State Park.
Explore the unique Bluff and Beech Magnolia trails developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. View rare Appalachian plant species as well as rock outcroppings historically used by Native Americans. This trail system is accessible from the visitor center parking area and is for hiking only.
Discover a wide variety of plants and animals on the Sinkhole multiuse trail as you journey past floodplains, sinkholes, rivers and karst topography. The Sinkhole trail is marked with red blaze markers. The multiuse trails are accessible to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians (with proof of negative Coggins). Visitors wishing to use the sinkhole multiuse trail should park at the Blue Hole swimming area and walk down the grassy side of the road to access the trailhead across from the Blue Hole Campground. Please do NOT park in or block the horse campsites.
The newly opened Bumpnose multiuse trail is a strenuous 6.8 miles. This hilly lollipop trail takes hikers, cyclists, and equestrians (with proof of negative Coggins) along fire lines through a remote area of the park. Visitors wishing to use this trail should park at the Blue Hole day use area. Please do NOT park in or block the horse campsites. Follow the orange blazes past the horse stables to access the Bumpnose trail.
- The park closes at sunset and visitors must exit the park by that time. Please plan accordingly.
- It is recommended that visitors take water, snacks, insect repellent, a trail map, whistle and a cellphone on the trails.
Amenities
Florida Caverns State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all our visitors. These amenities include:
- Visitor center and museum with a full audiovisual guided cave tour video.
- Concession and gift shop.
- Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
- Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
A boat ramp is located between the park entrance station and the family camping area. Only small boats are recommended to launch from this area due to water levels and possible underwater hazards along the Chipola River.
Boaters can take a leisurely tour along the river, fish, and view a variety of wildlife.
- Traveling south under the bridge at the boat ramp is not recommended.
- Large boats are not recommended.
This 1,500-acre park has 38 campsites, for both recreational vehicles and tents. All sites are within a short walk or bike ride of the Blue Hole day-use area.
Thirty-two campsites in the Blue Hole camping area are equipped with 30/50-amp electricity, water, sewer hookups, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring.
Three RV/trailer campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have sewer hookups. Use of a communal dump station located at the entrance to the youth camp is free for park campers. Stables are available for visitors who bring their horses if camping in the equestrian camping facility.
Three primitive tent campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have electricity or sewer hookups.
- Restrooms with showers are available in both camping areas.
- Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy.
- Maximum RV length for the Blue Hole Campground = 32 feet.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
The park's concession is located below the historic visitor center in the Florida Caverns Gift Shop. Guided cave tour tickets may be purchased there. Refreshments and souvenirs are available for purchase. There is no restaurant in the park.
Visitors wishing to use the Sink Hole multiuse trail should park at the Blue Hole day use area and walk down the grassy side of the road to access the trailhead across from the Blue Hole campground. Use caution riding or walking on the grassy side of the road.
The newly opened Bumpnose multiuse trail is a strenuous 6.8 miles. This hilly lollipop trail takes visitors along fire lines through a remote area. To access the Bumpnose trail, park at the Blue Hole day use area and follow the orange blazes past the horse stables.
Horseback riding, cycling and walking are just a few ways to view beautiful scenery unique to Florida Caverns State Park. Visitors may explore several miles of multiuse trails while viewing natural wonders such as floodplains, sinkholes, rivers and karst topography. View a wide variety of plants and animals as you journey through these scenic natural areas that are recovering from Hurricane Michael.
- Proof of a negative Coggins test for each horse must be carried with the rider while within the park and is subject to inspection by park staff and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.
- Please do NOT park in or block the horse campsites.
- Although the park does not rent horses, visitors are welcome to bring their own to ride.
- Horses are restricted to trails.
- Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and equestrian riders. Florida law requires helmet use for anyone age 16 and under.
- Please remember that flowers are for everyone; insects bite; trails have wet areas; and moving water is dangerous.
Amenities available on a first-come, first-served basis at the horse camping area.
- Stable with 11 stalls.
- Wash rack for horses.
- Restrooms.
- Picnic pavilion.
Five picnic areas are located throughout the park for your enjoyment. Tables and grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Four picnic pavilions are available for reservation for special events.
- The Hickory Pavilion has a playground and restroom facilities nearby.
- The Horse Camp Pavilion is located directly across from the Blue Hole day use area (non-potable water).
- Sweet Gum Pavilion is in a wooded cove.
- Beech Pavilion does not have power or restrooms.
- The newly renovated Blue Hole Pavilion in the Blue Hole day use area is non-reservable, first-come, first-served (non-potable water).
Contact the ranger station for pavilion reservations. Prices are as follows:
- Large shelter: Hickory Pavilion (holds between 60 to 100 people) $60 per day plus tax.
- Small shelters: Sweetgum, Horse Camp and Beech (hold between 30 to 60 people) $30 per day plus tax.
This 1,500-acre park has 38 campsites, for both recreational vehicles and tents. All sites are within a short walk or bike ride of the Blue Hole day-use area.
Thirty-two campsites in the Blue Hole camping area are equipped with 30/50-amp electricity, water, sewer hookups, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring.
Three RV/trailer campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have sewer hookups. Use of a communal dump station located at the entrance to the youth camp is free for park campers. Stables are available for visitors who bring their horses if camping in the equestrian camping facility.
Three primitive tent campsites in the equestrian camping area have all amenities mentioned above but do not have electricity or sewer hookups.
- Restrooms with showers are available in both camping areas.
- Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy.
- Maximum RV length for the Blue Hole Campground = 32 feet.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
The visitor center is a unique limestone structure built from locally sourced materials and was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942 as a part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal project.
A self-guided museum is located upstairs in the visitor center with a large variety of exhibits offering historical, cultural and natural resource information. Visitors can watch an entire guided cave tour on a video screen inside the museum.
Staying hydrated on your outdoor adventures is important. Just bring a refillable water bottle to replenish your drinking water at the park. This will reduce single-use plastics in landfills and reduce the litter sometimes found along trails, at campsites, on beaches and in Florida’s waterways.
- At Florida Caverns State Park, you’ll find a refillable water bottle station at the Blue Hole family campground.
- Learn more.