Nature pool – check. Walking trails – check. Unique mother flipping underground caves to walk through – check. This place is perfect for a day trip to get you out of the house and into nature. Here’s my complete guide with everything you need to know to prepare for an epic day trip to Florida Caverns State Park.
What You Need To Know For An Epic Day Trip To Florida Caverns State Park
Disclaimer
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FAQ for visiting Florida Caverns State Park
Where is it located?
Marianna – just under 2 hours drive from Destin.
What is the cost?
$5 per vehicle to enter the park.
Cave tours cost $10.75 per adult and $5 per child aged 3-12.
What are the opening hours?
8am – sunset daily.
Is it kid friendly?
Yes. Of course you know your children best so use this guide and your judgment for what is appropriate for them.
How much time do you need?
You can easily fill a day at the park.
What should you bring with you?
- Action camera – I use this one with this floaty selfie stick
- Comfortable walking shoes – these are great hiking sandals
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
- Lightweight towel if you plan to swim
- Cash to tip your tour guide
Here’s my Amazon store with lists of adventure supplies if you’d like more ideas.
Getting there and entrance information
You can use “Florida Caverns State Park” or “Florida Caverns State Park Visitor Center” in Google Maps and it will take you to the park in Marianna.
Here are the coordinates for the entrance to double check: 30°48’30.6″N 85°12’47.4″W
To enter you will turn onto Hickory Nut Dr and pay your entrance fee at the Ranger Station. The staff there are super helpful if you want directions or suggestions and you can pick up a paper map from them too.
The park is very well signed so it’s easy to find your way around by following the signs and/or using the map from the Ranger Station if you got one.
The Blue Hole Spring at Florida Caverns State Park
Cavern tour at Florida Caverns State Park
The highlight of the park is the caverns. I mean it is called Caverns State Park after all so you’d be crazy to miss the namesake!
If you’re a nature nerd like me, you’ll love them!
The park offers walking tours of the caverns which are run Thursday through Monday throughout the day. Get your tickets at the Florida Caverns Gift Shop and I recommend doing this early in the day. This way if the tours are getting booked up you will still have some wiggle room to get a spot on a later tour.
On the tour you will walk deep into the caverns and see all sorts of interesting formations while the tour guide teaches you about the geology and history of the caves. You even have the chance to see wildlife and spot sea shells embedded into the caves.
The caverns are dark, cool, quiet, and the formations that surround you give it a mystical ambiance.
It can be a little slippery at times so I recommend wearing shoes with decent grip. I wore these sandals which are very stable and didn’t have any issues on the path.
Swim at the Blue Hole Spring in Marianna
When it’s time to cool off head over to the Blue Hole Spring in the Florida Caverns State Park.
This is a small natural swimming area with a platform that goes out to the water. If you need to get some energy out of the kids, they’ll probably get a kick out of jumping off the platform over and over again.
The water is chilly but refreshing on hot summer days.
A large grassy area surrounds the spring with plenty of room to find a spot in the sunshine. When you need some shade you can move under the trees or the covered pavilion by the parking area. The pavilion also has tables and grills and it’s the perfect area for a picnic.
There is also a large restroom block nearby with toilets and changing rooms.
As with many of the natural springs it has varying degrees of aesthetic appeal depending on the weather. If there has been a lot of rain it may be brown and, let’s say, not the prettiest. With clear weather though you will see a gorgeous emerald color.
Hiking at Florida Caverns State Park
There are a couple of trails at the park suited for walking, bike riding, or horse riding.
- Sinkhole Trail
- Fence Line Trail
For shorter nature walks, there is a short loop around the Blue Hole Spring and the walk back to your car after the cavern tour if you don’t take the shortcut.
Whichever you chose, you have plenty of opportunity to get your steps in and enjoy some time in nature.
If you plan to hike during your visit, I recommend checking with the Rangers who can guide you on the current status of the trails.
Walking path back from the caverns
Where to go for lunch
When it comes to lunch, the best options are to either bring your own food and have a picnic or leave the park to get something from town.
If you plan to leave the park, make sure you keep your receipt when you first enter so you can show it when you return.
I left the park for lunch and went to Up The Creek Cafe which was about 10 minutes from the park. It was great food, great value, great service, and had that small town restaurant feel where everyone knew each other.
Some other options are:
- The Wharf Casual Seafood
- King Fish Caribbean Seafood
- Taqueria El Mana
- Spears Cafe
Lunch at Up The Creek Cafe
Did you know?
If you like exploring state parks, I recommend getting the Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Instead of paying the entrance fee each time you visit a park, you simply pay an annual fee and get a cute little card to show for your entrance.
They offer a discount for active duty military – to get this you need to get your pass in person at the ranger station and show ID.
If you’re in Destin, it comes in handy during the peak season because you can scoot on over to Henderson Beach State Park without paying each time for your beach days.
Camping at Florida Caverns State Park
If you’d like more than just a day trip to Florida Caverns State Park, you can stay at the campground which has spaces for RV’s and tents.
There’s a mix of regular campsites with things like electricity, water, tables, and grills, as well as three primitive tent sites for psychopaths.
I recommend visiting the park website for more information and to book your campsite.
Other guides you might enjoy:
A Complete Guide On How To Get To Cypress Spring Without A Tour
Where To Find The Absolute Best Acai Bowls In Destin, Florida
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