Florida outdoors

Bordered by the Gulf on three sides and by Lake Powell, the park lets visitors explore an environment rich in natural and cultural resources and one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida.

• Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling
• ·Picnicking

Cayo Costa offers 9 miles of untouched beaches accessible only by boat, a prime spot for fishing, snorkeling and beachcombing across 2,436 acres.

• Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Paddling
• ·Swimming

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, the museum depicts the area's history and features seashells and artifacts collected by St. Clair Whitman.

• Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Gulf salt marshes give way to scrubby flatwoods, the rare Florida scrub and its special plants and wildlife.

• Biking
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking

Charlotte Harbor Preserve protects five state aquatic preserves across 45,507 acres and more than 100 miles of the Charlotte Harbor shoreline.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching

Collier-Seminole lies within one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world, home to imperiled species in an unusual blend of temperate and tropical native plant communities.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing

This vast Central Florida park spans more than 5,000 acres of forests, lakes and natural communities, with several kinds of camping including equestrian and group campgrounds.

• Biking
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching

This museum highlights life in a 19th-century Florida boomtown, where legislators met to draft the state's first constitution.

• Geocaching
• ·Historic Site

Explore a complex of Native American mounds and get a glimpse into Florida's past at this six-mound pre-Columbian site.

• Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking

One of Florida's most productive and biologically diverse estuaries, where freshwater mixes with the saltwater of the Gulf along 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast.

• Biking
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling

Halfway between Key Largo and Key West, the 1,000-acre Curry Hammock is striking in its seclusion along a stretch of the Keys known for development.

• Biking
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking

Visitors drawn to Dade Battlefield for its history discover ancient oaks and verdant pine flatwoods, plus events, programs and craft classes throughout the year.

• Biking
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking

Once slated to become a condominium development, this park contains one of the largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the United States.

• Biking
• ·Hiking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Nature Trails

De Leon Springs offers a recreational swimming area and a fascinating history spanning more than 6,000 years, set around crystal springs.

• Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling
• ·Picnicking

Deer Lake offers a pristine beach and lush landscape, with coastal dune lakes that are extremely rare worldwide and occur only along the Gulf Coast in the United States.

• Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Swimming

This popular destination boasts one of the most pristine stretches of beaches, with peaceful Gulf views and many shorebirds and wildlife gathering here.

• Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking

This National Natural Landmark contains a miniature rainforest with gentle streams trickling down the sinkhole's 120-foot limestone walls.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Historic Site

A short boat ride off Florida's southwest coast, Don Pedro Island sits between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island and is accessible only by private boat.

• Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling

On a barrier island fronting historic Apalachicola Bay, the park offers spectacular views of crystal waters, blue skies and sugary beaches.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing

This last example of a natural coastal beach community in Broward County offers an escape from city life and protection for endangered plant and animal species.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Paddling

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this authentic working farm lets visitors learn about the evolution of Florida farming and see heirloom roses bloom.

• Hiking
• ·Geocaching
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Historic Site

Located south of a sharp bend in the St. Johns River, more than 6,200 acres of natural communities allow wildlife to thrive in stunning habitats.

• Biking
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking

The Econfina River meanders through pine flatwoods and oak-palm forests to broad expanses of salt marsh dotted with pine islands.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking

The Florida Panhandle is home to a stately mansion surrounded by vibrant gardens at this 163-acre park, part of the historic Wesley homestead.

• Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling
• ·Picnicking

Home to one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water boasts manatees, alligators and diverse wildlife viewed from a riverboat or diving platform.

• Biking
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Horseback Riding

This secluded island at the mouth of Tampa Bay holds rich American history and stunning natural beauty, serving primarily as a wildlife refuge with pristine beaches.

• Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking

Visitors are immersed in the world of the springs, with the endangered Florida panther, red wolves, manatees, whooping cranes, black bears, bobcats and alligators.

• Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Estero Bay Preserve includes 11,381 acres of undeveloped conservation land that buffers the water, inlets and islands along 10 miles of Estero Bay.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching

The largest state park in Florida is home to a variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the continental United States.

• Biking
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking

Huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes line the boardwalk leading to Florida's highest waterfall, which drops 73 feet into a 100-foot-deep cylindrical pit.

• Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking

Enjoy stunning blue-green spring waters under ancient oaks on the historic Suwannee River, a source of cool, clear water that has attracted people for thousands of years.

• Boating
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling

Faver-Dykes offers canoeing, fishing, hiking and camping along Pellicer Creek, conveniently located on the outskirts of St. Augustine.

• Biking
• ·Boating
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing

The museum celebrates the heritage of Florida's forest industry, which dates back to the early 1800s.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site
• ·Playground

Nature and history mingle at Fort Clinch, where visitors can explore miles of beaches and trails as well as a Civil War fort on Amelia Island.

• Biking
• ·Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Geocaching

Over 700 acres of canopy forests and nature trails offer a spot for relaxing, hiking, studying nature and learning about history.

• Biking
• ·Geocaching
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking

During the Second Seminole War, Fort Foster defended the bridge crossing at the Hillsborough River and acted as a resupply point for soldiers in the field.

• Historic Site

Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the smart set of the 1920s came for vacations in the ornate setting of the Ribault Club.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Biking

The historic site of a free-slave settlement and a recreation of the original fort, this park preserves both history and natural beauty.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Paddling

The perfect spot for relaxing at the beach, fishing for dinner or exploring the natural coastal beauty of the area.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

Few parks of any kind can match both the historical and natural significance of Fort Zachary Taylor, the last stop in Florida before the Gulf.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

A former WWII gunnery and bombing practice range has been transformed into a stunning natural landscape shaded by longleaf pines, some over 300 years old.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Picnicking

On this historic rail bed turned greenway, visitors pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture along the corridor.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Biking

Gamble Rogers is a small park tucked gently between the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, named for the Florida folk singer.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, this island is part of a chain of Gulf Coast barrier islands.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

Designated as a National Recreation Trail, running through the Green Swamp and the headwaters for some of Florida's most popular paddling destinations.

• Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Biking
• ·Horseback Riding

This mile-long, pedestrian-only fishing bridge spans Nassau Sound and provides access to one of the best fishing areas in Northeast Florida.

• Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Biking

Established to preserve Destin's last genuine stretch of coastal dune scrub, Henderson Beach proves that even small areas of preservation hold abundant natural beauty.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Established in 1931 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this diverse 9,000-acre park is a refuge for endangered animals and ancient flora.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this diverse park offers a refuge from city life with seven miles of nature trails and rare Class II rapids.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking

The white sand beaches and diverse nature trails of Honeymoon Island make this barrier island an ideal place to get away from it all.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Biking

Enjoy a lush, remote island accessible only by boat and spend a relaxing day hiking, boating, fishing and exploring along the St. Johns River.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Paddling

Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, this peaceful sanctuary offers a slice of coastal wilderness within a vibrant city.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Cool off as you drift down the Ichetucknee, a spring-fed river that flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before joining the Santa Fe River.

• Hiking
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

The forgotten shores and ancient relics tell of the storied past of this tiny piece of paradise, accessible only by boat.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

A unique mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forest, this barrier island is a haven for several rare or endangered native plant species.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Swimming

A fascinating museum is nestled within the historic district of a charming fishing village, honoring a pioneer of air conditioning and refrigeration.

• Picnicking
• ·Geocaching

Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson, the largest state park in Southeast Florida, on the Loxahatchee River.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Paddling

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is a breathtaking expanse of grassland and home to numerous endangered species, honored with a Dark Sky designation.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Koreshan State Park offers a journey back in time to when a utopian group settled in the Florida frontier, with exhibits and tours.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Take a dip in the first-magnitude spring, walk the natural limestone bridge that crosses the spring run, or picnic under the shade of moss-draped oaks.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Camp, hike, fish and explore where wildlife thrives and a 400-year-old live oak stands proud.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

The park encompasses six ancient Native American temple mounds, with two available for viewing by the public, just north of Tallahassee.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Historic Site

Florida's heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida cow hunters in an 1876-era cow camp on the shores of three lakes.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Thirty minutes outside of Orlando, a natural theme park awaits those with a hearty outdoor spirit, with three major lakes for paddling and more.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

Camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking and bird-watching await along three miles of the south shore of beautiful Lake Manatee.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Nestled on the bluffs overlooking Lake Talquin's southern shore, this park offers outdoor activities for all ages around a pristine lake.

• Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Paddling

Visitors to this archaeological site will see Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, built between 1,100 and 1,800 years ago.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Historic Site

The virgin tropical hardwood hammock that thrives on this island was once common on most of Florida's Upper Keys.

• Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Paddling
• ·Historic Site

Paddle down the beautiful Little Manatee River or hike the vast system of trails along this nearly 40-mile blackwater stream.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking

Boasting more than five miles of pristine beaches and three miles of bike trails, Little Talbot offers untouched natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Roughly an hour from mainland Florida, Long Key State Park introduces you to the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife of the Florida Keys.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

Once a collection of secluded barrier islands reachable only by boat, Lovers Key has become a romantic destination for spectacular beachside weddings.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Swimming

Central Florida nature exists in its purest form along four miles of the Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Wildlife Viewing

This ancient Native American site was the first in Florida to be designated a State Archaeological Site, with cultures dating back 2,000 years.

• Picnicking

This crystal-clear, first-magnitude spring is a popular spot for swimming and cave diving, set within scenic woodlands of mixed hardwoods and pines.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

A sparkling spring run and boardwalk beneath a cypress forest make this a breathtaking destination, frequented by West Indian manatees.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Occupying more than 70,000 acres of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal, the Greenway is a 110-mile linear park hosting nearly 300 miles of trails.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Visitors to this old Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life in the community of Cross Creek that inspired the Pulitzer Prize winning author.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Historic Site
• ·Geocaching

Gold Head sits on rolling sandhills on the north central ridge of Florida, with one of the few remaining old-growth stands of longleaf pines.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Framed in forests of mangrove trees, the shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay.

• Hiking
• ·Paddling

Natural Bridge is the site of the second largest Civil War battle in Florida, where the St. Marks River drops into a sinkhole and flows underground.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Paddling

An abandoned railway has been transformed into 32 miles of lush trails through several sleepy Florida towns, an excellent way to experience natural North Florida.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Biking

Almost three miles of beautiful, unspoiled Florida beach beckon visitors to bask in the sunshine, swim in the Atlantic Ocean or try surf fishing.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s along a rustic North Florida river.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

This park is a great place to get away for a weekend or longer, and the deep, brackish waters of the Ochlockonee River make it an angler's paradise.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Okeechobee Battlefield is the site of one of Florida's significant battles during the Second Seminole War, fought on Christmas Day 1837.

• Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

With 1,043 acres, Oleta River State Park is Florida's largest urban park and a tranquil refuge from the bustling life of the city.

• Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

This park commemorates the site of Florida's largest Civil War battle, which took place on February 20, 1864, and hosts annual reenactments.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Nature Trails
• ·Historic Site

Built in 1838 by Thomas Orman, this antebellum home in a coastal village overlooks the Apalachicola River and features a botanical garden.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

An unexpected oasis surrounded by busy urban areas, this park is a refuge for the imperiled Florida scrub-jay and other nesting birds.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Still in development, this paved, multi-use recreational trail is situated in one of the most picturesque areas of the state.

• Hiking
• ·Biking
• ·Horseback Riding

This multi-use recreational trail through St. Johns and Putnam counties follows an abandoned railway through stunning landscapes.

• Hiking
• ·Biking

This Florida treasure boasts herds of wild horses and bison, nearly 300 species of birds, eight trails and a 50-foot observation tower.

• Camping
• ·Backpacking
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing

White sand beaches and rolling dunes covered with sea oats make this park a favorite destination for swimmers and sunbathers.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Beach

This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de Leon, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 in search of the fountain of youth.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

Price's Scrub State Park was purchased to preserve a biodiversity hotspot and provides visitors with a soothing green respite from everyday life.

• Hiking
• ·Biking
• ·Horseback Riding
• ·Wildlife Viewing

East of Jacksonville's skyscrapers and west of the beaches, this park protects one of the largest contiguous areas of coastal uplands in Duval County.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Paddling

From wading in the crystalline headwaters to canoeing, kayaking and tubing down river, visitors enjoy a priceless jewel in the Florida park system.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

Two ancient ravines up to 120 feet deep, carved by a spring-fed creek, have been transformed into a rustic tropical garden.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Biking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

The Santa Fe River goes underground in O'Leno State Park and reemerges over three miles away here before resuming its journey to the Suwannee River.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Biking

Visitors enjoy bicycling, hiking or horseback riding along 17 miles of trails, with primitive campsites accessible by canoe only.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling
• ·Biking

The turquoise waters of Florida's 175th state park offer a collection of scenic springs, the largest flowing out to a clear run that meanders to the Santa Fe River.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

A mature hardwood forest is a unique natural feature of this scenic preserve, known for outstanding bird-watching and the area's best off-road biking.

• Hiking
• ·Biking
• ·Horseback Riding
• ·Wildlife Viewing

The museum at the park displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort, with interpretive displays explaining the history of the San Marcos site.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

The San Pedro was a 287-ton, Dutch-built ship that sank in a hurricane on July 13, 1733, its remains discovered in 1960 in Hawk Channel near Indian Key.

• Swimming
• ·Historic Site

Located on Florida's southeast coast, the park's scenic landscapes represent what the first pioneers would have seen in the area.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Paddling

Ancient oceans shaped this park, allowing visitors to see rare sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, a baygall community and a mangrove swamp in less than a mile.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Biking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Whether riding the waves, strolling the shores or fishing from the jetties, beach lovers will find their paradise at Sebastian Inlet State Park.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

One of America's largest springs is protected here, where glass bottom boats were invented and still provide an ideal vantage point for enjoying the first-magnitude spring.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Boating
• ·Picnicking

When the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built over Tampa Bay, the old bridge was turned into the world's longest fishing pier.

• Fishing

With the Gulf on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other, this former military reservation has over 1.5 miles of sugar white beaches for swimming, snorkeling and surfing.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Accessible only by boat, a quick ride brings you to pristine beaches, lush mangroves and an offshore reef, with a boardwalk crossing to a preserved Atlantic beach.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Vast open grassy forests of longleaf pines hold miles of trails to walk, jog, bike or ride on horseback across 22 unique Florida natural communities.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

On the banks of the Suwannee River, this center honors composer Stephen Foster, who wrote Old Folks at Home, the song that made the river famous.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking

At the southwest corner of Charlotte County, a mile of beach where seashells and shark teeth wash up draws visitors for year-round swimming and sunbathing.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking

This historical intersection reveals itself where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers meet, best experienced on foot or by canoe.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Stretching 20 miles into the Gulf, St. Joseph Peninsula is a wildlife haven whose powdery beaches and salt marshes are nesting grounds for sea turtles and shore birds.

• Camping
• ·Backpacking
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing

This historic railroad corridor once carried cotton to the coast, and the trail now runs 16 miles from the capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Biking
• ·Horseback Riding

At over 4,000 acres, this preserve is home to four species of endangered pitcher plants, with wet-prairie landscapes surrounding a picturesque coastal bayou.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

This park's 2,000 acres encompass mangrove forests, freshwater and saltwater wetlands and uplands communities in various stages of habitat restoration.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Paddling
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Built in 1891, The Barnacle offers a glimpse of frontier life during the Era of the Bay, when all travel to and from Miami was by boat.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Native Americans once had dwellings here, living off fish-filled lagoons, and today these waters are popular for canoeing, boating and fishing.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

Named for tall dunes rising above the emerald gulf like a ship's sail, this park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Swimming

High bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya one of Florida's most scenic places, named for an extremely rare Torreya tree that grows only on these bluffs.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating

This 70-foot deep, first-magnitude spring offers swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, with picnic tables, a nature trail and a riverside dock for paddlers and boaters.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Swimming

Accessible only by boat, this preserve is a favorite of anglers and wildlife watchers, protecting a remnant of the Gulf Hammock between the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers.

• Camping
• ·Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Paddling

Formal gardens of azaleas, camellias and bird of paradise are the centerpiece, and the park is famous for unique coquina rock formations along its Atlantic beach.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Beach

An iconic roadside attraction and natural wonder, this Old Florida site offers the classic mermaid show and is home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country.

• Swimming
• ·Picnicking
• ·Paddling
• ·Boating

The Salt Spring looks small but is an amazing 351 feet deep, and gray fox, gopher tortoises and dolphins inhabit this park and its waters.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking

Cave divers travel worldwide to explore nearly 33,000 feet of surveyed underwater passages here, one of the longest underwater cave systems in the continental United States.

• Hiking
• ·Swimming
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Formed of Key Largo limestone, this land was sold to the Florida East Coast Railroad, which used the fossilized coral to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Historic Site

At 47 miles, this is one of the longest paved rail-trails in Florida, a flat path traveling through small towns, agricultural lands and unique habitats.

• Biking
• ·Horseback Riding
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Geocaching

Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to an area of pine scrub and swamp to build the Cigar Capital of the World, and this urban park preserves Ybor City's cultural heritage.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

This site was an important military position during the Civil War, allowing access to the inland areas of Florida's east coast.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

The preserve protects one of Florida's last remaining tracts of wet prairie, including the largest community of pitcher plants in the state.

• Hiking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

This site was once part of a sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee, who served in the U.S. House and Senate after Florida statehood.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

Atlantic Ridge Preserve is a landscape of sabal palms, live oak and wild coffee that provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

• Biking
• ·Hiking
• ·Horseback Riding
• ·Picnicking

The westernmost state rail-trail winds through the historic town of Milton and extends 8.1 miles north to join the U.S. Navy's Military Heritage Trail.

• Biking
• ·Hiking
• ·Horseback Riding
• ·Picnicking

Cockroach Bay Preserve is a series of islands in the southeastern region of Tampa Bay, located in the mouth of the Little Manatee River.

• Fishing
• ·Paddling
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Formerly the site of a historic Spanish fort, this grassy park offers stunning river views in a charming coastal village.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site

The trail features more than 90 linear miles of existing trail paved in segments along a planned 106-mile corridor from Key Largo to Key West.

• Biking
• ·Fishing
• ·Hiking
• ·Paddling

Haw Creek Preserve offers serene paddling opportunities on a pristine blackwater creek through an old Florida cypress swamp that leads to Crescent Lake.

• Fishing
• ·Boating
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Paddling

Located on a barrier island south of Melbourne, this preserve was purchased primarily to protect the watershed of the Indian River Lagoon.

• Picnicking
• ·Nature Trails
• ·Wildlife Viewing
• ·Paddling

A stately antebellum plantation home has been preserved and restored for visitors to enjoy, the only surviving plantation house in South Florida.

• Picnicking
• ·Historic Site
• ·Geocaching

This quiet 845-acre preserve protects sand scrub, one of the state's most endangered natural communities, home to the Florida scrub-jay and gopher tortoise.

• Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Fort Chokonikla was built nearby in 1849 during tensions with Seminole Indians, and today hikers can walk trails through the park's natural areas.

• Camping
• ·Hiking
• ·Fishing
• ·Picnicking

Florida's newest state park features creeks flowing through shallow ravines that form the Shoal River just downstream.

• Hiking
• ·Picnicking
• ·Biking
• ·Wildlife Viewing

Creeks converge, trails crisscross and wildlife abounds in rugged Wingate Creek State Park, where human occupation goes back thousands of years.

• Hiking
• ·Biking
• ·Wildlife Viewing