FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller April 24, 2025

Florida Caverns State Park is located in the heart of Jackson County. It’s a geological marvel and one of Florida’s most unique natural attractions.

Spanning 1,300 acres along the Chipola River, the park is renowned for its air-filled limestone caves, the only ones in Florida open for public tours.

Visitors can explore stunning underground formations, hike scenic trails, and paddle the river.

It's a perfect blend of adventure and natural beauty. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or history buff, this park offers an unforgettable experience in the Florida Panhandle. 

Florida Caverns State Park

The park’s caves have a rich history dating back 38 million years when high sea levels deposited shells and sediments that hardened into limestone.

Over the last million years, acidic groundwater carved the intricate cave system.

Native Americans once used the caves for shelter, leaving archaeological traces.

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, transformed the area into a state park, opening it in 1942.

CCC workers hand-chiseled cave passageways and built the visitor center, leaving visible marks that tell a story of perseverance.

The park also played a role in history as Spanish explorers and General Andrew Jackson crossed the nearby Natural Bridge of the Chipola River in the 1600s and during the First Seminole War, respectively. 

Located three miles north of Marianna on State Road 166 at 3345 Caverns Rd, Florida Caverns State Park is easily accessible from I-10.

The park is open daily from 8 am to sunset, with guided cave tours offered between 9am and 4 pm (Central Time) on a first-come first-served basis.

Tours, limited to 25 people, cost $8 for ages 3–12 and $15 for ages 13 and up; children under 2 are free.

Arrive early, as tours often sell out, especially on weekends. Wear sturdy shoes, as the 45-minute tour involves slippery surfaces and low ceilings.

The park also offers camping, canoe rentals, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Call 850-482-1228 for pavilion reservations or tour inquiries. 

• The caves maintain a constant 65-degree temperature, offering a cool escape year-round.  

• Unique formations like “cave bacon” and rimstone pools captivate visitors, while blind cave crayfish and bats inhabit the depths. 

• The park’s trails are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, hosting rare species like the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly.  

• After Hurricane Michael in 2018, the park lost 90% of its forest canopy but has since restored its cave lighting with a state-of-the-art LED system, enhancing the tour experience. 

FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK WEBSITE