Florida Caverns State Park - Hiking

Review

Intro

Florida Caverns State Park, in the small town of Marianna, FL, is a great place to spend a day. The highlight for most visitors is the cave tour. This tour takes visitors approximately 0.75-miles through a cave 25 feet below the ground, which remains an average of 65 degrees year-round. The park also has a one mile hiking trail as well as 6 miles of multi-use trails. The Chipola River flows through the park and features many springs, including Blue Hole swimming area which flows into the river. Canoe rentals are available from the gift shop or ranger station.

What Makes It Great

Florida Caverns State Park is a very unique place in Florida. The cave, which remains an average of 65 degrees year-round, offers relief from the heat of the summer. The cave also has many beautiful formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and rimstone pools that have formed very slowly over time. There are 3 species of bats that can be found here and several fossils of shells and sea life are visible in the walls. Tours are available Thursday through Monday throughout the year.

A one mile hiking trail starts at the visitor center and passes through Tunnel Cave. The trail then travels through swamp and along bluffs, and features many rare plant species. The park road also leads to the Blue Hole swimming area, where there is a horse camp and where you will find the trailheads for the 6 miles of multi-use trails. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all allowed on these trails.

Canoe rentals are available from the gift shop when it is open and from the ranger station on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when it is closed. The Chipola River flows through the park and you may be able to see egrets, herons, alligators, turtles, and beavers as you paddle along it.

Who is Going to Love It

This park is great for families with children that need to get outside during the summer. Geologists or those with an interest in geology and natural history will enjoy learning about the cave and seeing examples of many different geological formations. Hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers will enjoy the 6 miles of trails. The park offers several picnic areas, a swimming hole, and a campground, so it is a perfect place to take the whole family for a weekend of outdoor fun. Groups are also welcome and it is possible to rent a group campsite, a picnic pavilion, and to reserve a tour for a group of 25 or more people.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

The park is open from 8:00am until sunset 365 days per year. However, cave tours are never offered on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and are not offered on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

Marianna can be reached from I-10 from Exit 136 from the West or Exit 142 from the East. From Highway 90 in Marianna, FL, head north on Jefferson Street (State Road 166) approximately 3 miles. The entrance will be on the left side. There are several signs from Marianna as well. Follow the park road to the entrance station and continue to the visitor center for the cave tour. If you want to go on the tour, it is recommended to call the park to make sure the tours are not sold out before making the drive. The phone number is (850) 482-9598 for tour information. 

Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. They are not allowed in the cave or any park buildings, but service dogs are welcome anywhere in the park. Strollers and infant back carriers are not allowed on the cave tour. Be careful not to touch anything in the cave, as the oils on our skin will destroy the extremely delicate formations. 

The park fee is $5.00 for a vehicle with 2-8 people and $4 for a single person. A Florida State Park Annual Pass is available for $60.00 for an individual or $120.00 for a family. The cave tour is $8.00 per adult, $5.00 per child 3-12 years old, and free for children under 3 years old. Canoe rentals are available for $22.00 for a half day and $27.00 for a full day.