15 Florida State Parks That Are Even Better Than National Parks! 🌿🌊🌞
When most people think of Florida’s natural beauty, they picture the Everglades, Dry Tortugas, or Biscayne National Park—but did you know that some of the best outdoor adventures in Florida can be found in its state parks?
From crystal-clear springs and hidden beaches to ancient forests and wildlife-filled wetlands, Florida’s 175+ state parks offer incredible scenery and adventures—and many of them rival or even surpass national parks in beauty and experience!
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike, an unforgettable kayaking trip, or a beach escape without the crowds, here are 15 Florida state parks that might just be better than national parks! 🌴🚣♂️🏝️
1. Bahia Honda State Park – The Florida Keys’ Hidden Gem 🌊🌴
Located in the Lower Florida Keys, Bahia Honda boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the state, rivaling even Dry Tortugas National Park. With soft white sand, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees, it’s a Caribbean paradise without leaving Florida.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Uncrowded, tropical beaches
✅ Snorkeling and kayaking in turquoise waters
✅ Amazing views from the old Bahia Honda Bridge
Pro Tip: Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most breathtaking views.
2. Myakka River State Park – A Wild Florida Adventure 🐊🌿
If you want to see Florida’s true wilderness, skip the Everglades and head to Myakka River State Park near Sarasota. One of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, it’s home to alligators, wild birds, and even Florida panthers!
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Airboat tours through alligator-filled waters
✅ Scenic hiking trails and a 74-foot-tall canopy walk
✅ Camping, biking, and endless wildlife watching
Pro Tip: Take a sunset boat tour for the best alligator sightings!
3. Devil’s Den Spring – Florida’s Prehistoric Diving Spot 🦴💦
One of the most unique places in Florida, Devil’s Den is an underground spring where you can snorkel and dive in crystal-clear, prehistoric waters surrounded by ancient rock formations.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Explore a real underwater cavern
✅ Water stays 72°F year-round
✅ Perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving
Pro Tip: Arrive early—this hidden gem has limited daily entry!
4. Blue Spring State Park – The Best Place to See Manatees 🥶🐋
During winter, hundreds of manatees gather at Blue Spring State Park, creating one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Florida. It’s even better than the Everglades for spotting manatees up close!
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Guaranteed manatee sightings (Nov–March)
✅ Crystal-clear, 72°F spring for swimming and tubing
✅ Beautiful nature trails and picnic areas
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for fewer crowds!
5. Caladesi Island State Park – A Secluded Beach Paradise 🏝️🌅
Only accessible by boat or ferry, Caladesi Island is an untouched beach paradise with soft white sand, shallow clear water, and hidden nature trails.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ One of Florida’s most pristine beaches
✅ No high-rises or crowds—just pure nature
✅ Great for shelling, kayaking, and hiking
Pro Tip: Rent a kayak from Honeymoon Island and paddle through mangrove tunnels to reach Caladesi!
6. Anastasia State Park – History Meets Coastal Beauty 🏰🐚
Located near St. Augustine, this park combines historic charm with beach beauty. You’ll find dunes, marshes, and 1,600 acres of wildlife-filled land perfect for hiking, biking, and birdwatching.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Stunning coastline with soft sand dunes
✅ Close to historic St. Augustine
✅ Great for surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding
Pro Tip: Visit nearby Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S.!
7. Ichetucknee Springs State Park – The Ultimate Lazy River 🏞️🛶
Love floating down a crystal-clear river? Ichetucknee Springs offers one of the best tubing experiences in the country, with a 3-mile-long, spring-fed river perfect for a relaxing adventure.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Pristine, crystal-clear water
✅ Tubing, snorkeling, and wildlife watching
✅ One of Florida’s best-kept secrets
Pro Tip: Arrive early—only a limited number of tubers are allowed per day!
8. Jonathan Dickinson State Park – A Hidden Coastal Oasis 🏕️🐊
If you want a variety of ecosystems in one place, this park near Jupiter has rivers, sand dunes, pine forests, and mangroves, plus a historic WWII watchtower.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Scenic boat tours on the Loxahatchee River
✅ Camping, biking, and hiking trails galore
✅ Unique coastal and inland landscapes
Pro Tip: Climb to the top of the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower for panoramic views!
9. Falling Waters State Park – Florida’s Only Waterfall! ⛲🏞️
Yes, Florida has a waterfall, and it’s tucked away in the Panhandle! Falling Waters features a 73-foot deep sinkhole where water cascades down into the Earth, creating a breathtaking hidden oasis.
Why It’s Better Than a National Park:
✅ Florida’s tallest waterfall
✅ Mystical sinkholes and lush trails
✅ Perfect for camping and photography
Pro Tip: Visit after heavy rain for the best waterfall flow!
10. Weeki Wachee Springs – Home of the Live Mermaids 🧜♀️💦
One of Florida’s most unique attractions, Weeki Wachee Springs is famous for its live underwater mermaid shows that have been captivating visitors since 1947. But beyond the performances, this park is a water lover’s paradise, featuring crystal-clear spring waters, kayaking, and an exciting water park.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Watch real-life mermaids perform in an underwater theater
✅ Kayak or paddleboard down the stunning Weeki Wachee River
✅ Cool off at Buccaneer Bay, Florida’s only spring-fed water park
Pro Tip: Rent a kayak and take a leisurely 5.5-mile paddle down the river, where you might spot manatees, turtles, and fish!
11. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs – Best Spot for Wildlife 🦅🐊
If you love wildlife and birdwatching, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a must-visit. This park is home to a unique underwater observatory, where you can watch manatees swimming in their natural habitat, as well as a variety of native Florida animals, including alligators, bobcats, and even a famous hippopotamus named Lu!
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ See manatees up close in an underwater observatory
✅ Explore scenic boardwalks with wildlife enclosures
✅ Great for photographers and birdwatchers
Pro Tip: Visit in the morning for the best chance to see wild manatees feeding and playing in the springs!
12. Torreya State Park – Hidden Hiking Gem 🌳🥾
For those who love hiking and panoramic views, Torreya State Park is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. This park, located along the Apalachicola River, features high bluffs, rolling hills, and rare Torreya trees, giving it a landscape unlike anywhere else in the state.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Over 16 miles of scenic hiking trails
✅ Breathtaking views of the Apalachicola River valley
✅ Home to rare plant species and unique ecosystems
Pro Tip: Camp overnight to experience some of Florida’s best stargazing opportunities away from city lights!
13. Lovers Key State Park – A Romantic Getaway 💑🏖️
With its secluded beaches, scenic kayak trails, and dreamy sunset views, Lovers Key State Park is the perfect destination for couples or anyone looking for a peaceful escape. Once only accessible by boat, this park is now a hidden paradise for nature lovers.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Soft, white-sand beaches perfect for long walks
✅ Excellent kayaking and dolphin-spotting opportunities
✅ One of Florida’s best shelling beaches
Pro Tip: Pack a picnic and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico from the park’s peaceful shoreline.
14. Paynes Prairie Preserve – The Florida “Serengeti” 🦬🌿
One of Florida’s most unique landscapes, Paynes Prairie Preserve feels like a little slice of Africa right in Florida. It’s the only place in the state where you can see wild bison and horses roaming freely, along with deer, alligators, and hundreds of bird species.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ A rare chance to see wild bison in Florida
✅ Scenic hiking and biking trails through vast grasslands
✅ Observation tower with panoramic views of the prairie
Pro Tip: Hike the La Chua Trail for the best wildlife sightings—bring binoculars!
15. Blackwater River State Park – A Kayaker’s Dream 🚣♀️
If you love kayaking, tubing, or canoeing, Blackwater River State Park is a must-visit. Known for having one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the U.S., this park offers a serene, slow-moving river perfect for a relaxing paddle through lush forests.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Calm, tannin-stained river with soft, sandy banks
✅ Great for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking
✅ Beautiful shaded hiking trails through pine forests
Pro Tip: Pack a waterproof camera to capture the stunning reflections of the trees on the river’s dark, glassy surface.
I am Zoe Grace, a passionate enthusiast of cruise ships. With a decade of firsthand experience in the cruising industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and wonders that these majestic vessels hold.
Now, I am excited to embark on a new journey as an author, sharing my knowledge and insights with readers who share my fascination for the world of cruising.
Join me as we explore the captivating world of cruise ships together.
