Join a park ranger for an interesting and informative lecture on our local, loveable manatees. Learn what these magnificent mammals are all about, and how you can help protect them. Please note, live manatees are not included in this lecture. Space is limited; reservations are required.
Calling all Junior Rangers! Join us for a guided adventure as we walk along the spring run with a Ranger while enjoying a nature themed story! Participants will earn a stamp in their Junior Ranger Passports.
Please wear shoes suitable for walking and bring a water bottle (refill station is available by the restroom)
Join a Ranger to learn about our native Gopher Tortoise and the important impact they have on the environment. There will be a short walk along the edges of our Maritime Hammock to observe some of the Gopher Tortoises living in our park. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a reusable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if you have one. Please meet by the Island Beach Shop & Grill.
*This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation.
Program is free with regular park admission fee. ($8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 per single-occupant vehicle. $2.00 per pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass).
For more information, please contact the park at (904) 461-2033
Event will take place at Big Lagoon State Park, volunteers will bring their own kayaks or SUP or rent equipment from the park concession (limited number available and reservations are recommended). Free park entry between 8-9 AM, park opens at 8 AM (do not block park entry gate before park opens), please let ranger station know you are volunteering for the Paddle Pickup. Volunteers will park and meet at East Beach for safety briefing at 8:30 AM, begin kayaking and cleaning up by 9 am, return debris for disposal and volunteers check out by 11 am.
No lifeguard at event, MUST wear life jacket at all times when in kayak/SUP due to stability issues when picking up debris.
What to wear/bring:
• Refillable water bottle
• Closed toed shoes
• Sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)
• Bug spray
• Work gloves (if you prefer to use your own)
• Personal kayak/canoe/SUP, life jacket
Join us for live folk music in our beautiful outdoor amphitheater.
Join us for an exciting new event at Ravine Gardens State Park featuring Florida writers and authors! Browse all kinds of books: novels set in Florida, nonfiction, fiction, books for children, books for teens. Enjoy meeting authors, books readings, a poetry slam and poetry workshop, crafts, a character parade and more!
The kind of jaywalking that won't get you a ticket!
This is a guided hiking tour where we will trek through about 0.25 miles of scrub to look for our iconic Florida Scrub Jay. Visitors should be prepared with water, sunscreen, bug spray, and closed-toe shoes. Most of the hike is on soft sand. No pets are allowed on the tour for the safety of the birds.
Please arrive by 8:15 am and let the Ranger at the entrance know you are here for the Jay Walk when you pay the entrance fee. The meeting location is at the Ranger Station. Binoculars are not required, but highly recommended.
The kind of jaywalking that won't get you a ticket!
This is a guided hiking tour where we will trek through about 0.25 miles of scrub to look for our iconic Florida Scrub Jay. Visitors should be prepared with water, sunscreen, bug spray, and closed-toe shoes. Most of the hike is on soft sand. No pets are allowed on the tour for the safety of the birds.
Please arrive by 8:15 am and let the Ranger at the entrance know you are here for the Jay Walk when you pay the entrance fee. The meeting location is at the Ranger Station. Binoculars are not required, but highly recommended.
November 2025 - Second Saturday Cleanup (SSC): On the second Saturday of each month, we will have a marine debris cleanup inside the boundaries of our state park. This month we will be cleaning up another special access area, Lignumvitae Key's rocky Northwest shoreline, an area usually inaccessible to park visitors. Space is limited to only 15 volunteers and pre-registration is required. The minimum age requirements are 18 years old and up or 13 - 17 years old with a guardian. Please email Robert.Herald@FloridaDEP.gov by 1:00 p.m. on November 6, 2025 to signup. Next Steps: Within a few days of sending your signup email, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event information. Precautionary and Needs: All volunteers must be able to enter and exit watercraft onto uneven/wet terrain. All volunteers shall be able to walk on uneven terrain including mangrove roots and rocky coastline. All volunteers must be able to get shoes wet as well as prepare to get fully wet and be able to swim. All volunteers must prepare for mosquitos, biting flies, sunshine, heat, and humidity.