Dr. John Gorrie's experiments with artificial cooling led to a patented life-saving invention. Over a half century was to pass before the true genius of this esteemed man of medicine and community leader would be fully recognized.

One of the many activities you may enjoy at our park is to spend the day on the peaceful and majestic lazy southern Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve.

There is a saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” Life can be hectic, and even when taking the time to visit a wooded area, in our rush to spend time in nature, sometimes we forget to experience it.

Welcome to the South, where the beverage of choice - sweet tea - is so popular even our creeks are tea-colored.

You may have found Ponce de Leon Springs State Park while looking for a refreshing place to take a summer swim, but the park offers many more experiences for the explorer who dares venture a bit farther from the parking area.

It is said that Ponce de Leon never made it to the Florida Panhandle in his search for the Fountain of Youth. We like to think that if he did, and he managed to find this secluded spring that bears his name, he would still be with us today.

For most of the year at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, visitors can easily view carnivorous white-topped pitcher plants from the boardwalk over the wetlands. Explore diverse ecosystems along the park's nature trails.

Deer Lake State Park offers a pristine sugar white sandy beach overlooking the emerald green waters of the Gulf of America.

Deer Lake State Park is home to a multi-million dollar hydrology and habitat restoration project and is helping to improve water quality to the rare coastal dune lakes of Camp Creek and Deer Lake.

Steepheads are one of the most diverse and sensitive ecosystems in the entire Southeast.