We visited the Florida Caverns State Park! This park is located just a few miles off of I-10 about halfway between Tallahassee and Pensacola. It’s a great day trip for anyone who is an hour to an hour and a half away.
This park is the ultimate dose of non-touristy, old-fashioned, beautiful Florida. The natural surroundings allows you to reconnect with nature, something we all need to do from time to time.
Let’s dive into the specifics of the park.
Park hours
The park is open 365 days per year, 8 a.m. until sunset.
but cavern tours run Thursday-Monday
Park admission
Talk about budget friendly! Admission to the park is only $5 per car. You can’t beat that for a day of fun with the family.
Cave tours
If you’re interested in touring the caves, the tours run Thursday through Monday each week. They cost $8 per person 3-12 and $15 for ages 13 and up. These tours last from 30 minutes to an hour. They are worth every penny. It is so much fun to explore the caves with a guide leading the way and providing you with all the vital information.
***Disclaimer*** If you deal with claustrophobia you might consider skipping the cave tour and exploring the trails instead.
New things are happening at the park.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane, devastated the area five years ago this month. The park lost many of the large old trees. Even though the old canopy that had covered the area for years is gone, new trees and plants have been able to thrive in the sunshine that is now available to them. Springtime is full of greenery and blooms that haven’t been seen in years.
Lots to do
While the caverns are the ultimate destination for a lot of visitors, many people are surprised to discover that there are beautiful trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Boating and camping are also options as well as swimming. Plan a picnic or a day of swimming while the weather’s still warm.
Tall visitors beware
If you are a bit on the taller size, be aware that there may be a lot of crouching involved. Several of the passageways are only 4 feet tall. While this can be a little awkward, it’s also a lot of fun!
There are many “rooms” in the caverns
The Wedding Room, with its wedding cake shaped stalagmite, has actually been used for several weddings.
There is also a room that is a tribute of sorts to South America. This room contains a pool that is outlines the shape of continent. Pretty cool, huh?
Eye opening information
Our guide, who was awesome by the way, showed us where carbonic acid has eaten away at the cave floor over time. Then, she kindly pointed out that soda contains carbonic acid. Needless to say, we will now be cutting back on soda.
Special privilege
You are typically not allowed to touch any stalactites or stalagmites because the oils on your hands can destroy their growth. However, there is one designated column (where a stalactite and stalagmite have joined) that you are allowed to touch. This was a really interesting experience.
Original exploration of the caverns
Original explorers entered the cave through an entrance that was approximately one foot top to bottom. However, once the explorers made it a little further into the cave system amazing rooms opened up before their eyes.
While investigating the caverns, these explorers would tie one end of a rope to a stone and the other to their waist to be able to find their way back to their starting points.
Want to know more about our trip to the Florida Caverns Sate Park? Check out our latest YouTube video: We Visited the Florida Caverns State Park!
If you want to learn more about domestic travel, check out our post Things You Need to Know Before Going on a Roadtrip.
What are some of your favorite state or national parks? We want to know! Drop your favorite and tell us why it’s your favorite in the comments below.
And remember, break the monotony, not the bank.
–Marnie and Jeff
