Florida Caverns State Park
HIGHLIGHTS
Cave offering guided tours, plus trails and freshwater springs.
GUIDED CAVERN TOURS
We’ll be the first to admit… when we think of Florida, underground caverns don’t come to mind. All the more reason we were surprised to find this state park in the panhandle. We’ve been to a few other caverns and while this one isn’t the largest, it is quite impressive. If you’re claustrophobic this cave system will really test you, the ceilings are low, there are a couple tight areas you have to crouch down to get through, and as of February 2021, the cavern is partial flooded and inaccessible.
What sets these caverns apart from others we’ve seen is the emphasis on its geology. Composed of limestone, you can see fossilized sea life in the ceilings and walls; shells, shark teeth and other remnants of the past remain. We saw a tiny bat clinging to the ceiling which the kids went crazy over. This park was created during the great depression by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Program) as part of a jobs program started by F.D.R. in the 1930s.
Well worth a visit if you’re in the area or passing by, its only 15-20 minutes off Highway I-10.
