Tucked away in the crystalline waters of the Florida Keys lies one of America's most extraordinary botanical treasures. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park preserves the last untouched tropical hardwood hammock in the United States, home to over 1,000 lignum vitae...

Did you know Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park is home to Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, standing 15 m (49') tall? This remarkable structure was built between 1,100 and 1,800 years ago by the Weedon Island Culture, requiring an...

Did you know Lake Talquin was formed in the late 1920s when the construction of Jackson Bluff Dam transformed the Ochlockonee River into a sprawling 10,000-acre reservoir? What began as a hydroelectric project has evolved into one of Florida's most unique state parks,...

Did you know that despite its name, you won't actually find manatees at Lake Manatee State Park? The park's 2,400-acre reservoir was created when a dam was built across the Manatee River in the mid-1960s, blocking these gentle giants from accessing the lake. Yet this...

Did you know Lake Louisa State Park protects over 4,500 acres of Florida's vanishing sandhill ecosystem? This natural haven, just 30 minutes from Orlando's bustling theme parks, offers a refreshing escape into pristine Florida wilderness. With six lakes, miles of...

Did you know Lake Kissimmee State Park is home to one of Florida's last remaining cow camps, where 1870s-era cattle roping demonstrations still happen weekly? This 5,930-acre natural treasure offers a glimpse into Florida's rich cowboy heritage while providing modern...

Did you know Lake June in Winter Scrub Preserve State Park protects one of Florida's most endangered natural communities? This 845-acre hidden gem preserves ancient sand dunes that formed over 11,500 years ago, creating a unique "Florida desert" with one of North...

Did you know this 14-hectare (35-acre) park holds Florida's only surviving Native American capital city from the pre-Columbian era? Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park preserves six ancient temple mounds that date back over 800 years, offering visitors a...

Did you know Lake Griffin State Park is home to one of Florida's oldest live oak trees, estimated to be over 400 years old? This magnificent natural landmark stands as a silent witness to centuries of Florida history, predating European settlement in the region....

Did you know Lafayette Blue Springs releases over 168 million gallons of crystal-clear 22°C (72°F) water daily from its ancient aquifer? This first-magnitude spring in North Florida features a rare natural limestone bridge dividing its main pool, creating one of the...

Did you know that Estero Bay Preserve State Park was Florida's first aquatic preserve, established in 1966 to protect over 10,000 acres of pristine estuarine ecosystems? This hidden gem between Fort Myers and Naples offers visitors a rare glimpse into Florida's...

Did you know that Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is home to Lu, the oldest hippopotamus in North America at 63 years old? This remarkable hippo was granted special Florida citizenship by the governor when the park transitioned to featuring only...

Did you know that Egmont Key, a small island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, has shrunk from over 580 acres in 1877 to barely 200 acres today? This vanishing paradise is home to one of Florida's most unique state parks, where nature and history blend seamlessly on pristine...

Home to one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs, where an astonishing 1.2 billion liters (325 million gallons) of crystal-clear water surges every day from underground limestone caves! This natural wonder creates the pristine Wakulla River and offers...

Nestled along the peaceful shores of Tucker Bayou sits one of Florida's most enchanting hidden gems. Eden Gardens State Park houses the second-largest collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States, displayed within a meticulously restored 1897 mansion. This...

Did you know North Peninsula State Park protects one of Florida's last remaining undeveloped barrier islands? This hidden gem spans 2.5 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Florida's natural coastal landscape before development...

Did you know this 13-hectare (32-acre) park preserves the site of the second-largest Civil War battle in Florida, where teenagers as young as 14 fought to protect their capital? This remarkable battlefield not only represents the last major Confederate victory of the...

Did you know that Hugh Taylor Birch State Park protects one of Florida's last intact coastal ecosystems within the bustling city of Fort Lauderdale? This 180-acre urban oasis, often called "Fort Lauderdale's Central Park," sits on a narrow strip of land between the...

Did you know Hontoon Island is one of Florida's few state parks accessible only by boat or ferry—with no bridges or roads connecting it to the mainland? This 1,650-acre hidden gem on the St. Johns River offers a rare glimpse into Florida's untouched natural beauty and...

Did you know that despite welcoming over 1 million visitors annually, Honeymoon Island State Park remains one of Florida's most pristine barrier islands? With more than 4 miles of undeveloped beach and a fascinating history dating back to 1939 when it was marketed as...

Did you know Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is home to Lu, the oldest hippopotamus in North America? At over 60 years old, this famous resident is the only non-Florida native animal allowed to stay when the park transitioned from a private attraction to a state...

Did you know that Hillsborough River State Park features Florida's only Class II rapids in the entire southwest region? Established in 1938 as one of Florida's first state parks, this 3,383-hectare (8,360-acre) natural wonderland offers a surprising wilderness escape...

Did you know that Higgs Beach is home to the only shore-accessible underwater marine park in the United States? This hidden gem along Key West's southern shore offers much more than just sand and surf. Spanning nearly 17 acres of beachfront paradise, Higgs Beach...

Did you know Highlands Hammock State Park shelters one of Florida's oldest cypress swamps, with trees dating back over 1,000 years? Established in 1931, this ancient wilderness predates Florida's state park system itself and stands as a living museum of Old Florida's...