1 and Caladesi Island State Park is ranked at No. Home to one of Florida’s most pristine beaches for swimming, Grayton Beach State Park boasts 30 two-bedroom cabins nestled in the pine woods. For reservations, call toll-free (800) 326-3521, (866) I-CAMP-FL or TDD (888) 433-0287. #1 of 12 Nature & Parks in Fernandina Beach “ From the beaches, trails, and to the wonderfully maintained historic fort, Fort Clinch State Park is a gem for nature and outdoor lovers, and history … Click here to check out more about this Florida state park. Topsail Beach State Preserve. Only a $6 per car for entry. Named after the late Miami newspaper editor who championed this area for a state park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is part of a large barrier island ecosystem. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: You’re just minutes from the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and its white-sand beaches, where you can spend your days sunbathing, swimming and surf fishing. Florida State Parks on the Beach - Fort Myers & Naples Florida Park and Recreation Find Southwest Florida Parks on the Beach Dozens of national, state and … Bahia Honda State Park in the Lower Keys is truly one of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds This is just a few miles north of Key West on US-1, the Overseas Highway, If you get a spot along the water, you can rent a kayak and set off for a relaxing afternoon of rowing, right from your campsite. Near shore reefs are being reestablished at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. This protected strip of the Emerald Coast isn’t just for relaxation. Cape Florida State Recreation Area, at the south tip of Key Biscayne, is one of the best beaches in the country. Welcome to Henderson Beach State Park Enjoy a majestic shoreline anchored by 30-foot, snow-white sand dunes where basking in the Florida sun or wading into warm Gulf waters is the order of each and every day. Address: 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL … These are the best places for budget-friendly state parks in Southwest Gulf Coast: Lovers Key State Park; Stump Pass Beach State Park; Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park; Gasparilla Island State Park; Cayo Costa State Park; See more budget-friendly state parks in Southwest Gulf Coast on Tripadvisor Don’t miss hiking the trail up to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge; it plunges into the forest, spills out onto the old bridge, and finally, rewards you with soaring views of the entire island. Check birds off from your life list. Best State Parks for Camping. Augustine, Florida Anastasia State Park boasts more than 1,600 acres of pristine, white sand beaches, dune trails, and abundant wildlife. For the ultimate getaway, rent a vacation cabin or get some sand between your stakes in a full-facility campsite. There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in the U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than 800,000 acres (320,000 ha), providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists.. The shell strewn shores of Lovers Key State Park are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits and bald eagles. Strolling through a forest or relaxing by a lake can make us feel better — and lower stress has mental and physical benefits. Top Panama City Beach State Parks: See reviews and photos of state parks in Panama City Beach, Florida on Tripadvisor. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service works with partners to preserve these places, ensuring they will continue to inspire and protect the residents and visitors of Florida for generations to come. See more state parks in Florida Panhandle on Tripadvisor. Wake up to the sound and smell of the ocean every day right from your own beachfront campsite! Intact beaches and coasts lessen the impacts of storm surge, act as nurseries for fish populations and filter pollutants from water before it flows to the sea. ! Parks of the Southeast region in Florida. Welcome to the Official Facebook Page for Florida State Parks. Photo via resort. State Parks. From beaches to historic sites, Texas State Parks in the Gulf Coast region are unique and varied. It offers swimming, fishing, educational programs, special events, kayak rentals and exceptional snorkeling, as well as a nature center, gift shop, playground, and picnicking facilities. This park near Ormond Beach is home to some of the largest and oldest live oaks in Florida. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Because Bahia Honda is one of the best Florida State parks for RV camping it is tremendously popular, and it’s tough to book RV Campsites. All photos by Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA. Some of the sites are right next to the beach, where the sound of the surf can lull you to sleep. Beautiful area to stop! If you want to unplug and reconnect with nature – and at a bargain price – you can’t do better than these Sunshine State shores in our state parks. There’s also a fascinating history lesson within the state park found at the Spanish Coquina Quarries from the 17th century. Grayton beach state park all florida state parks open following cing in florida s state parks of central florida state parksSome Of The Best Vacation Lodging Is Inside Florida S… This RV park offers beachfront and shaded sites, luxury cabins, and a beach house that can accommodate up to fifteen people. Some of their limbs oddly twist, others arch into the sky, ramrod straight. Price: around $65/night. Bahia Honda State Park has it all – the best beaches in the Florida Keys, legendary snorkeling, a bounty of shore and wading birds, and a plentiful underwater population that will keep anglers smiling. There are numerous options for RV parking at Emerald Beach. RV Parks in Destin Florida Live Oak Landing. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. For the ultimate romantic experience, have your wedding or renew your vows on the park’s shell-strewn shores. St. Andrews State Park. The Florida Keys has the third largest reef system in the world and a site of many protection efforts. The swath of Texas that lies along the Gulf of Mexico is a popular region for visitors. Camp Gulf, Destin. Public: Bahia Honda State Park (36.8) – Bahia Honda State Park is the star of Florida’s state parks on the Keys. The star is the Fairchild Oak, which is over 400 years old and one of the largest live oaks in the South. This Florida state park features more than five miles of trails for hiking and bicycling, a boat ramp for anglers and explorers, as well as kayak tours and bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals. Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. Florida State Parks has 100 miles of the best beaches in the state and arguably the world. Hear the call of the Florida Scrub Jay. The Florida state park is also ideal for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. View details about online payments, park  and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings. 1. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west is the Intracoastal Waterway. In 2018, two Florida State Parks Grayton Beach State Park and Caladesi Island State Park were recognized by Dr. Beach as among the nation’s top beaches. Be sure to bring a bathing suit and jump in! Lovers Key State Park promises two miles of natural beach, thick with white sand, that’s perfect for shelling, swimming, picnicking and sunbathing. Nestled on a barrier island, this is the only Florida state park in Palm Beach County, an idyllic natural treasure in the midst of an urban jungle. Best State Park for Nature Photographers. Bahia Honda State Park features the best beaches in the Florida Keys and superb snorkeling. The answer lies within Florida’s vast geological past, which intertwines human history, earth history, ecosystems and economic development. Florida is host to the largest population of nesting loggerhead sea turtles in the world and offers refuge to nesting, resting shorebirds. Whether by bicycle, horse, wheelchair, kayak or on your own two feet, trails both within and outside our state parks can lead to a wide variety of adventure and opportunity throughout Florida. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. If you want to search for the perk of Florida in a single place, it is going to be the best choice. Almost half of the state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, often styled, "Friends of {park name} State Park, Inc.". You can discover some of the finest, most pristine beaches in the world at Florida’s state parks. Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. Tall dunes, capped by sea oats with the sun setting behind them is a classic image of Florida. It also features a concession, a restaurant, kayak rentals, snorkeling tours of the reef, geo-seeking, and a butterfly garden. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. On Florida’s Panhandle, Camp Gulf has 200 sites along Destin’s white sandy beach. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. The park has a total area of 145 acres, and is a prime nesting beach for 3 species of sea turtles from May thru September. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location. Marshes, beaches and mangroves create unparalleled beauty, the full scope of which can be seen in Florida State Parks. Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area extends across a barrier island. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park boasts tangles of mangrove swamps, trails that meander through canopies of trees, and a vast walkway that traverses a lagoon – never mind almost two miles of unspoiled Atlantic beach. Cold but so refreshing! Regular RV sites, which are farther away from the beachfront, are available for 45 foot and 60 foot RVs. For a fascinating glimpse into its salt marsh, rent a kayak or take a guided paddle tour with Kayak Amelia (888-30-KAYAK). We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. You might see manatees swirling in its waters, dolphins leaping from the surf, or bald eagles soaring on the salty currents of air. Caladesi Island State Park is located in the north of Clearwater Beach. It is located in the west of Dunedin, Florida. 6. Encounter a gopher tortoise in its natural environment. Kayak and canoe along some of Florida's best paddling trails. No need to daydream — Henderson Beach makes this a reality. Grayton Beach State Park is ranked at No. Walk along the trails and observe the beautiful springs. Some, half-buried, rise out of the sand; some merely sprawl atop it. MacArthur State Park boast almost two miles of pristine Atlantic beach. These requirements vary from area to area. Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. View our privacy policy. The park also encompasses Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake that’s ideal for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, and for canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding. Make sure to explore the nature trail; it winds over impressive dunes and through a coastal forest fringed by scrub oaks and magnolias. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. Sometimes it’s difficult to make time for the outdoors, but getting just a little bit of nature can have a big positive impact. Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach. All material © 2001-2020 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. These places are best for state parks in Ormond Beach: Tomoka State Park; Bulow Creek State Park; North Peninsula State Park; See more state parks in Ormond Beach on Tripadvisor $ Talbot Islands State Parks tidal marshes create a dynamic mosaic of life which is different on every visit: The true value of beaches and coasts is in their ecosystem services. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. Tour historic sugar plantation ruins and experience living history demonstrations by park staff. Big Talbot Island State Park is home to Boneyard Beach, a unique, eerie and strangely striking stretch of sand strewn with the bleached skeletons of dead trees. As the dunes erode, the trees tumble onto the beach below. Two Florida State Park beaches have been recognized among the best in the nation on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beach List for 2020! Caladesi Island State Park is located on the Island of Caladesi in the Gulf of Mexico. 1,855 talking about this. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. We included it on this list because, if you like peace & quiet, you’ll love this park (and still be close enough to the beach). The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has more than 3000 nests a year. Paddlers at Oleta River State Park can forget they are in the heart of North Miami as they explore the almost otherworldly branches and roots of a mangrove forest. Both parks offer white sand beaches, beautiful scenery and … In addition to the numerous natural attractions along the Texas Gulf Coast are some of the state's finest state parks. Our … If you visit during June or July, make sure to go on a guided sea-turtle walk, where you can watch a mother sea turtle lay her eggs under the cover of darkness. Primitive sites, tent sites and big-rig friendly RV sites offering spectacular views, easy access to award-winning trails and out-of-this-world natural features dot the entire state. Protecting Florida’s beaches and coasts is essential to many imperiled species. These places are best for state parks in Florida Panhandle: Henderson Beach State Park. Top Florida State Parks: See reviews and photos of state parks in Florida, United States on Tripadvisor. Featuring Mar-A-Lago National Historical Site, Curry Hammock State Park, Key West National Wildlife Refuge, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park Nineteen parks from Pensacola to the Florida Keys provide cabins for overnight stays. Whether you're looking for a beach escape or a blue spring swimming hole, these 10 Florida state parks are must-sees. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There is much more to discover along Florida’s coast, including marshes and mangroves, reefs, seagrass beds and sandbars. One of the best RV parks in Florida on the beach is Emerald Beach RV Park, located in Northwest Florida. Little Talbot Island State Park, in Jacksonville, Gasparilla Island State Park, in Boca Grande, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, in Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, in Key West, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, in St. George Island, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, in North Palm Beach, Contact the Statewide Information Line: It offers more than four miles of trails for cyclists and hikers, plus a full-facility campground and modern cabins. George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park. This can be seen in Florida State Parks along with the powdery white sands on the Emerald Coast, the reddish coquina sands of the east coast and the driftwood lined sands of the west coast. Kayak tours require advance reservations. If you want to unplug and reconnect with nature – and at a bargain price – you can’t do better than these Sunshine State shores in our state parks. Grayton Beach State Park. Rocks, sediments, landforms, and water across the state tell a fascinating story. Have you ever wondered why Florida has so many lakes, springs, beaches, and sinkholes? The beaches and coasts of Florida have come to represent the state. These requirements vary from area to area. You can discover some of the finest, most pristine beaches in the world at Florida’s state parks. Check out these 12 beautiful campgrounds and RV parks where you can camp right on the beach in Florida in your motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, or even tent. Why You’ll Love It: This is a luxury RV park without all the tourist action.With that said, Live Oak Landing is about 25 miles from Destin. Besides offering unrivaled beauty, the trees’ remains provide shelter and food for coastal wildlife. The maritime forest at Big Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville is a favorite photo spot, with a giant driftwood collection on mile-long “Boneyard Beach.”. But it’s worth it for the sandy beaches on both the Atlantic and the Gulf. Lies within Florida ’ s vast geological past, which intertwines human history, earth history earth... More in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy the sky, ramrod straight,... 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