Florida Guide > State Parks
FLORIDA CAVES STATE PARK
And now for something completely different! Who would associate Florida with caving, but that is just what you can do at this super State Park.
This is the only Florida park to offer caving and indeed one of only a few in whole of America.
The park covers 1300 acres and is situated in Marianna near Tallahassee. The park is divided into 10 natural areas; flood plain, terrestrial caves, spring run stream, upland glade, upland hardwood forest, upland mixed forest and equatic caves.
You can take the cave tour any day of year except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving and they start at 9am. Here you will see flow straws, draperies, soda straws and stalactites and stalagmites.
The tour lasts just under an hour and the last tour leaves at 4pm. It may not be suitable for disabled people but you can get advice from 850 482 9599.
There is a video tour in the visitor centre so you can still share the experience with your disabled member and this is where you will find all the info you need to make your day more enjoyable.
Fishing is excellent here; you will be guided to the boat ramp on Blue Hole Drive. You may well catch bass, catfish, mullet or sunfish; you will need a licence available from sports shops or larger Walmarts that have a sports section.
Which nature trail will you do? Well, why not do both? These will lead you to the rocky buffs that overlook the river flood plain. Here are seen many rare plants so have your camera ready! Both trails start at the visitor centre.
You can kayak or canoe to explore the Chipola River. You may see herons, beavers, egrets and I bet you can't guess? Our old Florida friends: snakes and alligators. Hire is available on site.
Take your swimming costumes with you as you may swim in the Blue Hole. On the west side is a beach for the little ones. The vent which is adjacent to the pool is an astonishing 98 feet deep and the water is generally as clear as crystal.
After your swim you will be glad to know that they provide showers and you could then think of taking the children to the good playground they have provided.
Be sure to pack a picnic as there are 10 good picnic areas with barbecues for the more ambitious.
The park offers many special events through the year which include lectures, guided walks, music and art. Consult their website to see when these will be .
The full address is 3345 Caverns Road,Marianna,Florida 32446 and the phone number is 850 482 9698.
Opening times are 8am to sundown and be sure to pack some insect repellant and suncream in the warmer months.
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