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The parks in the Panhandle of Florida are billed as “The Real Florida” parks. At these state parks, you can enjoy magnificent sand dunes, sparkling white sandy beaches, crystal rivers, majestic springs, and a vast diversity of natural settings, wildlife, and historic treasures.
Blackwater River State Park
Considered one of the purest sandbottom rivers in the world, the Blackwater River is in its natural state for almost its entire length. The river's sand bottom, dark tannin waters and contrasting large, white sandbars have drawn worldwide attention and provide the perfect setting
for this 590- acre park. The river attracts paddlers from far and wide and has been designated a Florida canoe trail. The last two miles of the trail are located within the park. For more information contact: Blackwater River State Park, 7720 Deaton Bridge Road, Holt, Florida
32564 (850) 983-5363.
Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park takes its name from the beautiful Florida Cavern tour cave. Equal in beauty to such famous sites such as Mammoth Cave and Carlsbad Caverns, these caves contain dazzling formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, columns, rimstones, flowstones
and draperies. These fragile formations are composed of calcite, a mineral dissolved from limestone rock when surface water containing carbonic acid percolates through the rock into the caves. As this mineral-charged water encounters the air inside the caves, layers of calcite are deposited. The creation of these stunning formations often
take tens of thousands of years and even the slightest disturbance by humans can destroy these delicate natural wonders. Some of the caves, which require permits for entry, are open for scientific research only. For the protection of the unique and sensitive resources, which are
found in these caves, visitors are asked to respect the off-limits status of these caves. For more information contact: Florida Caverns State Park, 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, Florida 32446, (850) 482-9598.
Torreya State Park
The high bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya State Park one of Florida's most scenic. Rising more than 150 feet above the river, the bluffs have been shaped and divided by deep ravines that have been eroded by streams throughout the centuries. For more information
contact: Torreya State Park, Route 2, Box 70, Bristol, Florida 32321, (850) 643-2674.
St. George Island State Park
Nine miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, provide the perfect setting for St. George Island State Park. Occupying 1,962 acres at the end of a long, narrow
barrier island, St. George is a combination of sandy coves, salt marshes, shady pines and forests. For more information, contact: St. George Island State Park, 1900 E. Gulf Beach Dr., St. George Island, Florida 32328, (850) 927-2111.
Ochlockonee River State Park
The Ochlockonee River offers perfect examples of the scenic natural characteristics found along north Florida's Gulf coast. Visitors have an excellent opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities offered by land as well as by water in this 392-acre park.For more information contact:
Ochlockonee River State Park, P. O. Box 5, Sopchoppy, Florida 32358, (850) 962-2771
Econfina River State Park
Econfina River is located on the Gulf of Mexico and consists of 3,377 acres of greatly varied landscapes. The park has pine flatlands, to oak/palm forests, broad expanses of salt marsh dotted with pine islands. This park offers spectacular vistas and scenic beauty. Primary
recreational activities include,Boat Launch (There is a fee for boat launch and parking of $4.00), picnicking, canoeing, boating and fishing. Unimproved hiking and equestrian trails are also available. For more information contact: Econfina River State Park, 1022 DeSoto
Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301, (850) 922-6007.
These are just the state parks. There are also a number of state recreational areas, trails, museums and historical sites.
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