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Florida Caverns State Park: An Underground Wonderland
Explore Florida's only air-filled caverns offering guided tours, plus hiking, camping, and paddling in a scenic state park near Marianna.
Discover Florida's hidden depths at Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Explore the only state park offering guided tours through stunning air-filled limestone caverns adorned with intricate formations. Above ground, enjoy hiking, camping, and paddling amidst the park's natural beauty, shaped by both geological history and the hands of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Florida Caverns State Park
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
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Getting There
Driving
Florida Caverns State Park is located approximately three miles north of Marianna, Florida [5, 17]. From Interstate 10, take exit 142 and follow State Road 71 north to US 90 [20]. Head west on US 90 to downtown Marianna, where you'll see a sign directing you to turn right onto State Road 166 (Florida Caverns Road) [20]. Follow SR 166 north, cross the Chipola River, and pass Citizens Lodge Park [20]. The park entrance will be on your left, just past the Florida Caverns Golf Course [20]. The park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle (2-8 occupants), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists [3, 4, 9]. Parking is available near the Visitor Center and other key areas within the park [17, 18, 22]. Limited parking can occur during peak times [7].
Walking
Once inside Florida Caverns State Park, the Visitor Center and cave entrance are a short walk from the main parking area [5, 20]. Follow the paved path from the parking lot towards the large visitor center building [20]. The gift shop, where you purchase tour tickets, is located inside the visitor center [3, 6, 7]. From the visitor center, it is a short walk to the cave entrance. The entrance to the cave is marked by a set of 33 steps leading down into the cavern [16, 19]. The cave tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and covers about 1600 feet [2, 5]. Cave tour fees are $16 per person for ages 13 and up and $9 per person for ages 3 to 12 [3]. Children 2 and under are free [3].
Local tips
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Purchase cavern tour tickets early, especially on weekends and holidays, as tours often sell out [3, 6, 7].
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Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction for the cavern tour, as the path can be uneven and slippery [19].
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Bring a light jacket or sweater for the cave tour, as the temperature inside the caverns remains a constant 65 degrees Fahrenheit [9].
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Check the Chipola River conditions before planning water activities, as high water levels can sometimes restrict access [7].
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Consider visiting during the off-season for a less crowded experience [7].
Discover more about Florida Caverns State Park
Venture into the heart of Florida at Florida Caverns State Park, where an otherworldly landscape awaits beneath the surface. Located near Marianna, this unique park offers a rare opportunity to explore a vast cave system, adorned with dazzling displays of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies [3, 5, 6]. As the only Florida State Park with air-filled caves offering public tours, it's a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers [5, 6].
The caverns themselves tell a story millions of years in the making. Formed from limestone bedrock, the caves have been shaped by acidic groundwater over eons, creating the stunning formations visitors can witness today [6, 11]. Archaeological discoveries within the caves reveal a history stretching back to indigenous peoples, with pottery shards and mammoth footprints predating European settlement [6, 10, 13]. In more recent history, the caves provided refuge for Seminoles and were even the site of a Spanish sermon in the 17th century [6, 13].
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a pivotal role in developing the park, transforming the caves into a public attraction [5, 10, 11, 13]. The CCC workers cleared pathways, installed lighting, and constructed the park's visitor center, leaving a lasting legacy still visible today [3, 5, 11, 13, 14].
Above ground, the park offers a diverse range of activities. Hike or bike along scenic trails that wind through hardwood forests and floodplains [3, 7]. Paddle down the Chipola River, keeping an eye out for local wildlife [3, 5, 7, 8]. Enjoy a picnic amidst the park's natural beauty or camp under the stars in one of the park's campsites [3, 5, 7, 8].
Whether you're drawn by the allure of the underground caverns or the beauty of the surrounding landscape, Florida Caverns State Park offers an unforgettable experience. With its unique blend of natural wonders, historical significance, and recreational opportunities, it's a destination that will leave you in awe of Florida's hidden treasures [3, 5, 6].
A brief summary to Florida Caverns State Park
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