Florida Caverns State Park, a Florida State Park located near Marianna

FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK

FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32446

Phone: 850-482-1228
Reservations: 850-482-1228

This is one of the few state parks with dry (air filled) caves and is the only Florida state park to offer cave tours to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and draperies. Florida Caverns is also popular for camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding (The park does not rent horses.). Stables are available for equestrian campers. Guided cave tours are offered every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and is considered to be moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program, touring the cave and other natural areas of the park, is available in the visitor center. Located three miles north of Marianna on State Road 166.

History of the Area

Located in Marianna, Florida, the park was established in 1935. It is known for its limestone caves and natural beauty.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed it during the Great Depression as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal program.

It officially opened to public visitation on June 16th, 1942. The CCC’s work included creating trails through caverns and constructing buildings onsite.

In addition to cave tours, visitors can enjoy hiking trails along floodplain forests or canoeing down Chipola River since early days.

Hurricane Michael caused extensive damage in October 2018 leading to temporary closure but has now been reopened after restoration efforts.

Visitors Center

The attractive Visitor Center provides historical interpretation in its walk-through museum and large screen video tour of the caverns. The Civilian Conservation Corps completed this park facility in 1942. The museum displays a large variety of exhibits offering cultural and natural resource information.

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Nearby Parks

Fairchild State Park

Seminole State Park

Falling Waters State Park

Three Rivers State Park

Chattahoochee State Park

Reynoldsville State Park

Torreya State Park

State Fish Hatchery

Bainbridge State Park

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

Bear Creek Forester-Education

Hardridge Creek Campground

Kolomoki Mounds State Park

Cotton Hill Campground

Pine Log State Forest

Walter F. George Lake

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

May 19 Shearyl Lovett by Jayne_G

On May 19, 2021 my husband and I visited the Florida Caverns State Park for the first time. We approached the gate and was greeted by OPS Park Ranger Shearyl Lovett. What an great first impression we received visiting your park. Ranger Lovett had an incredibly wonderful personality that reflected her love of her job. She was beyond helpful and gave us great pointers and also the name of another Florida park to visit. We enjoyed the park and want you to know that Ranger Lovett was a big part of our experience.

July 24 my first camping experience by MY FLORIDA CAVERNS CAMPING

i have never been camping and decided to for a week. the caverns was perfect. the camping bathrooms/showers was the most amazing of cleanliness, washer and dryer there too. the whole park was so clean, canoeing was awesome with a spring to jump in at the end of it (if you dare that deep and cold) the swimming hole was closed but it was fine. caves were amazing and staff so outrageously friendly. we met so may friends there camping with kids and my kids loved it. very pet friendly place too. will definately be back and my photos there are amazing. plenty of animals and insects to admire around camp ground.

February 23 Very impressive by Joy Clark

I have one suggestion. You need some kind of hand rails inside the caverns. The floors are slippery and with nothing to hold on to makes it very scary to walk through. I was kinda surprised that they were not required. The young man that was our guide did an excellent job. I was with a group from the Gulf Breeze Methodist Church, GB, FL. We really enjoy the visit.

Private Area Campgrounds

Florida Caverns RV Resort at Merritt's Mill Pond
4820 US- 90 East
Marianna, FL
850-482-5583

Dove Rest RV & Mobile Home
1973 Dove Rest Drive
Marianna, FL
850-482-5313

Directions

Florida Caverns State Park is located 3 Miles North of Marianna, Off of U.S. 90 on S.R. 166. From Tallahassee: Take I-10 west to exit 142, turn right on Hwy 71 N to Hwy 90, turn left. Follow brown park signs. From Pensacola: Take I-10 East to exit 136, turn left on Hwy 276 N to Hwy 90, turn right. Follow brown park signs.