Floridiana Magazine

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Florida Caverns State Park

If you’re looking for a unique old Florida adventure, you’ll want to add Florida Caverns State Park to your list. Located in Marianna, in the Florida panhandle, this park offers a stunning cave system that’s been attracting visitors for decades. And while the caverns are the main draw for the park, there are plenty of other things to do as well.

History of the Florida Caverns State Park

Imagine walking through a cave that formed millions of years ago when sea levels were much higher than they are today. As time progressed, the sea receded and the limestone rock that remained was slowly eroded by water. The result: a series of intricate underground caves that are now enjoyed by more than 100,000 visitors each year – Florida Caverns State Park.

CCC Worker Statue at Florida Caverns State Park

CCC Worker Statue, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

In the 1930s, a government surveyor discovered the caves, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) went in and developed a walkable cave system for visitors. The CCC removed mud, widened the passages, and excavated – all by hand.  A rock still visible inside the caverns was used as a guide for the CCC workers. They tied a rope to the rock and around their waists.  When the lights went out, they could follow the rope back to the rock where they could see the light to the entrance. It is said that many of them also hit their heads on the stalactite hanging directly above it, a common occurrence even among cave visitors today!

Rock on ground in cavern

Rock used to guide CCC Workers, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

The CCC was hard at work for four years constructing trails, lighting in the caverns, a golf course (no longer in use), the Visitor Center, a picnic shelter, and roads and trails on the eastern side of the park. But their work ended abruptly with America’s entry into World War II. During the war, the park was used as a training site for the Army and the caves were used for storage.

The Florida Caverns Become a Park

Florida Caverns State Park

Entrance to Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Established in 1942, Florida Caverns State Park became the 7th state park in Florida.  It was also the first state park in Florida to offer tours of underground caves.  Expansions have taken place at the park over the years, new trails added, along with a camping area and public boat ramp.

The State was forced to close the park down for nine months however, for cleanup and repairs from Category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018. Michael wiped out more than 90% of the Park’s forest and damaged many of the facilities.

The park is open again and continues to be a popular destination in the Florida panhandle.

Guided Tours of Florida Caverns

The main attraction at the park is the caverns where you can meander through a dozen or so cave “rooms.” Tours begin outside the gift shop where basic instructions are provided.  Visitors are then led down a path to the cave at the bottom of 35 steps. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour and includes walking through narrow passageways and areas where the ceilings only four and a half feet high.  Park literature says the tour is moderately strenuous, but I personally found it to be an easy walk.

Entering the cavern

35 Steps lead to the cave entrance, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tour Highlights

The Great Room is the largest cave chamber and features towering stalagmites and stalactites that have been growing for thousands of years.  This is where that old school lesson comes in handy.  Stalactites (with a c) grow from the ceiling. Stalagmites (with a g) grow from the ground.

There’s also a formation that looks like a layered Wedding Cake and is made up of multiple stalactites that have grown together.  The Soda Straw Room is filled with what looks like delicate soda straws, which are thin, hollow tubes of calcite that have formed over time. And then there’s the Drapery Room, filled with intricate drapery formations that look like curtains hanging from the ceiling.

Wedding Cake

The Wedding Cake, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Growing together

More geologic formations, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Stalactites

Stunning formations, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tips for Visiting Florida Caverns

If you are planning on visiting the park and touring the caverns, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your visit is a pleasant one.

  • Book your tour in advance. Tours can fill up quickly, so the best rule of thumb is to go to the gift shop as soon as you arrive and purchase your tickets for the tours. Tickets can be purchased in the Florida Caverns Gift Shop.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. The cave tour involved walking on uneven surfaces and includes navigating through some narrow and low passageways.
  • Pay attention to the park’s rules. One of the most important rules is to not touch anything while you’re inside the cave. It protects the cave system and ensures everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
  • Bring necessary gear. If you plan to explore the park’s hiking trails, don’t forget water, sunscreen, insect repellant, and a camera to capture the beauty of the park.

Other Things to Do and See at Florida Caverns State Park

While the caves steal the spotlight, the park offers a wide range of activities that cater to outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Water Activities – If you want to swim, you can take a dip in Blue Hole Spring, located near the equestrian/tent camping area.  Be advised though, the spring is 64° and 30 feet deep, and there are no lifeguards on duty.

Swimming dock at Blue Hole Spring, Florida Caverns State Park | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

View of Blue Hole Spring | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

For those wanting to stay above water, canoes and kayaks can be rented in the gift shop then picked up at the canoe/kayak launch along the Chipola River.  A side note on the Chipola River.  At the launch area, the river flows underground through a cavern and reappears a quarter mile away.  During some times of the year when the water is high, part of the river continues to flow above the ground in a man-made ditch.

Canoes and Kayaks | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Canoe and Kayak launch along the Chipola River | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

The story of the disappearing river | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Hiking and Nature Trails – The park features several well-maintained trails for bicyclists, hikers, and horseback riders. Trails offer a variety of routes for different skill levels and interests and provide scenic views of the woodlands and the Chipola River.

Picnicking and Camping – Whether you go for a day or a few days, there are plenty of places to camp and picnic.  There are 38 campsites including both RV and primitive tent sites.  The park also provides five picnic areas.

Campgrounds | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Picnic pavilions offer space and shade | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

History – A visit to the museum provides an historic overview of the cave formations along with the significant contributions and conservation efforts made by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during World War II.

Museum exterior | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Welcome to the Caverns | Photo by Doris Collins Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Hours of Operation and Admission Fees

Florida Caverns State Park Guided caverns tours are offered seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. From Labor Day (September) to Memorial Day (end of May) there are tours only offered five days a week – Thursday through Monday.  The tours are also not offered  Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at sunset.  Upon arrival, you will be charged a $5.00 per car entrance fee to the park.  Cave tours are $15.00 per person for individuals ages 13 and up, and $8.00 per person for children ages 3 to 12.  Children under 2 and under are free.

How to Get to the Florida Caverns State Park

Florida Caverns State Park is located three miles north of Marianna off of U.S. 90 on State Road 166.  Depending on which way you’re headed on Interstate 10, there are two ways to get there.  If you’re traveling from Pensacola, get off on exit 136, turn left on Highway 276 North and then right on Highway 90 and follow the signs. If you’re traveling from the east, take exit 142, turn right on Highway 71 North, then left on Highway 90.  Follow the signs.

Address: 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna

Phone: 850-482-1228

Plan your visit to Florida Caverns State Park and prepare to be amazed by the wonders that lie beneath the surface and above it.

And if you’re looking for something else to do in the area, just 30 minutes south of the caverns is Falling Waters State Park.

Enjoy the slideshow below on additional photos taken at Florida Caverns State Park.

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Havana: Florida’s Friendliest Small Town

From its heyday as a major shade tobacco producer to its popularity for antiques and vintage collectable shops, Havana is one of those small Florida towns that exudes southern charm. A walk through the museum, the shops, or a stop in one of the local restaurants provide visitors with personal experiences of why Havana is considered Florida’s Friendliest Small Town.

History of Havana

Like many small Florida towns, railroad expansion provided the catalyst for Havana’s formation. A track was completed for the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railroad in 1902 from Cuthbert, Georgia to Tallahassee, Florida, and in 1904 the small town of Havana began to take shape. Within two years, families had moved in and businesses were opened, and in 1906, Havana was founded.  The name “Havana,” proposed by local schoolteacher James Mathewson, pays homage to the Cuban tobacco cultivated in the area. It was a crop that would carry this town until the late 1960s.

While Havana was prospering in the tobacco fields, a fire in 1916 destroyed 24 stores and residences in or near the business district. According to an article that appeared in The News Leader, Richmond, VA on Saturday, March 18, 1916, only three buildings were left standing. The town would have to rebuild.

The News Leader, Richmond, VA, March 18, 1916

Shade Tobacco History

Even though Havana was not incorporated until 1906, the history of shade tobacco farming goes back to the 1800s. Early growers discovered that if tobacco plants grew in the shade of a tree, they produced thinner outer leaves and resulted in a more delicate taste. Growers adapted to this discovery and the “shaded” fields evolved from wooden slatting to plastic mesh.

Miles Henry Womack in a field of tobacco being grown under slats – Havana, Florida. 1910 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/28703>

Magnus Delacy Peavy and his farm hands in front of a tobacco barn – Havana, Florida. 1910 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/30349>

At the peak of its tobacco farming, Havana and the surrounding areas were home to more than 2,000 tobacco barns that housed the tobacco used as the outer wrappers of cigars. Over the years, those barns have fallen prey to neglect and weather, and their numbers are nearly non-existent. If you drive around Gadsden County today, you can see some of them. There’s evidence that the property owners are trying to restore some of them.

Tobacco Barn in Gadsden County | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tobacco Barn in Gadsden County | Photo taken by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tobacco Barn in Gadsden County under renovation | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

At one time there were 2,000 to 3,000 people working in the industry in Havana, and the value of the crops grew to $22 million. But unfortunately, that all ended in the late 1960s. One of the main reasons was that growers in South and Central America were able to produce the wrappers at a cheaper cost. New technology also allowed the outer coverings to be produced thinner and at scale.

What to Do in Havana

Shade Tobacco Museum

First and foremost, a stop in the museum is a must. A self-guided tour provides an in-depth glimpse of a once profitable industry and the work that went into successful crops. Read about the process from cultivation to cigar making.  Get a close look at some of the farming implements used, the way tobacco leaves were strung, and the molds used for the cigar making process.

Entrance to Shade Tobacco Museum| Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Boxes used to size tobacco leaves | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tobacco Wrapper Exhibit, Shade Tobacco Museum | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Tobacco leaves | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

While the museum’s main exhibit centers around tobacco, visitors can learn more about schools, churches, and businesses in the area.

Cigars can be purchased in the Shade Tobacco Museum | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

The museum is open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Shops and Restaurants

When the tobacco industry folded, Havana went through a rebirth of sorts.  Downtown is now lined with antique shops, furniture, boutiques, arts, and restaurants, and holds numerous events throughout the year to draw patrons into Havana.

The Planter’s Exchange, a hub of activity in Havana | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Shops and restaurants line the streets | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Clock and fountain | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

What to See

Murals

Like other small Florida towns, murals now grace the sides of downtown businesses, portraying the past and offering a look into the future.  Besides building murals, there are also quilt murals – all painted by Florida artists.

Havana Motor Co. Mural | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Train Mural, paying homage to the railroad industry in Gadsden County | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Havana Mural | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Havana State Bank

Work was completed in July 2024 on the old Havana State Bank building (now known as the Slappey Building) to restore it to the way it was in the 1950s.  A state historical grant is assisting with the funding for the renovation efforts. Although some work has already been done, the rebuilding will begin May 2023.   Stop by for a look now, and then make plans to go once it has been restored to its original beauty.

Historic Havana State Bank | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Havana State Bank | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

How to Get To Havana, FL

If you are traveling Interstate 10, you will want to exit onto Highway 27 at mile marker 199. Travel about 12 miles north into the heart of the town.  (It’s also located six miles south of the Georgia state line.) The drive to Havana provides some scenic views of the old Florida countryside. Whether you are visiting the Shade Tobacco Museum, shopping, or dining in one of the quaint little restaurants, you will soon find out why Havana is considered the Friendliest Small Town in Florida.

Please take a look at the slide show for more photos of our trip to Havana.

 

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Lloyd and its Historic Railroad Depot

Tucked away in Jefferson County, about a mile south of Interstate 10 on State Road 59 is a small town with a population of 140. Lloyd may not be a booming metropolis now but imagine a time when it was a bustling agricultural center. At the heart of that activity was the Lloyd Depot, now a historic landmark. It is the oldest brick depot and one of only two surviving Antebellum depots in Florida.

Lloyd Depot | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Lloyd Depot – oldest brick depot in Florida | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Lloyd Depot History

The Pensacola and Georgia Railroad began construction of the railroad in 1856. It would run from Tallahassee to Lake City then connect with the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Railroad line to Jacksonville. In 1858, the railway was completed and the depot was built. Originally known as the Bailey’s Mill Station and then the Number Two Station, the depot served as a major shipping hub for cotton and other agricultural products. At the time, Jefferson County was one of the major cotton producing areas in the state and the railway provided planters with access to seaports on both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

The railway met with great support from the growers in the area. Prior to the railroad going through Lloyd, cotton growers sent their crops by several means including ox-drawn wagons to St. Marks more than 30 miles away.

Wagons unloading cotton at the Seaboard Air Line depot – Lloyd, Florida. 1890 (circa).State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 19 Jun. 2022.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/26673>

During the Civil War, the railroad transported wounded Confederate soldiers to hospitals to the west. Some of them were taken off the train in Lloyd and were doctored by local women in makeshift hospitals until the soldiers recovered. Only two of the soldiers treated died. They were buried about a mile west of the depot in a field.

A Community is Born

Along with the depot came expansion.  A small community arose along Main Street. Now considered the historic district, some of the old houses remain. Some buildings have been renovated, with signs identifying the families who once lived there. Others have given themselves to the elements.

Laffitte House (1890 – 1906) – Now serves as offices for Lloyd Baptist Church | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

W.A. Willie House – 1890 | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

J.J. Willie, Jr. House – 1910 | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Laffitte Store – 1912 | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

One of the most noteworthy buildings built at the time was the Whitfield House Hotel at the request of the railroad and served as a dinner stop for train passengers. The Florida Memory Project says for 75 cents, passengers would dine on a full-course meal but had only twenty minutes to eat while mail and express shipments were transferred at the depot.  When dining cars were installed on trains, the dinner stop ceased, but the House remained open until the 1930s as a hotel.  It is no longer standing.

In 1882, the names of the community and the depot were changed to Lloyd in honor of Walter Lloyd, a New Yorker who settled in the area after the Civil War and was instrumental in the recovery of its commercial and agricultural life.

The original depot (as described in the National Register of Historic Places nomination form) was a rectangular brick building with large wooden gables on the east and west ends of the depot, and wide eaves all around. It was built with a wooden cotton platform about 40 feet long. Two large freight doors flanked the west end of the building – one facing the tracks to the south, the other facing to the north.

With the town booming, the depot was refurbished in 1870. Then in the 1940s, much of the building’s wooden features were destroyed in a fire, including the wooden platform.  During the reconstruction, the brick walls, which railroad officials were worried were compromised by the fire, were tied together with steel rods, which can be seen today.

Cotton was not always king.  Watermelon, turpentine, and lumber eventually took the place of cotton after the boll weevil infestation in the 1920s.

The Winds of Change

The express and telegraph offices closed in the 1950s and passenger service continued until 1966 when the station closed.  The Seaboard Coast Line donated the depot to the Jefferson County Historical Society in 1968 and prevented demolition of the building.  The Historical Society then gave the building to the Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society who has owned it ever since.

We had the pleasure of meeting some of the members during one of their workdays at the depot.  They took time away from their projects to show us around and explain what they’ve already done and what they plan to do.

Gulf Wind members began their preservation efforts in the original two waiting rooms and station master’s office. Those areas have been turned into the town’s post office, which still serves the community.

Lloyd Post Office – still serving the community | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Old Depot Ticket Window – now the window at the post office | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Post Office Boxes – Lloyd | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Work has also been done on the freight room with new electrical and plumbing fixtures being added.  The freight room now houses many artifacts, either from the depot or the railroad industry. One of those is a 1938 Fairmont S2-G which they had restored. “The Pumpkin” as they call it, holds six to eight people and travels at the “high rate of speed” of three miles per hour. Railcars like this were used to dispatch railroad crews down the line to work.

Nicknamed The Pumpkin, 1938 Fairmont S2-G Railcar – Lloyd | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Other artifacts include a safe, an original baggage cart with scale, railroad benches, a chalkboard for marking arrivals and departures, and what Society members consider to be one of the star attractions – the original Lloyd ticket cabinet, which they found in Plant City. A rack inside the cabinet held the tickets. The station master would unlock the cabinet and pull the tickets out for the passengers.

Original Safe – Lloyd | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Baggage Scale – Lloyd | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Old Chalkboard to announce arrivals and departures – Lloyd | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Original Lloyd Ticket Cabinet | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Historic Preservation of the Lloyd Depot Continues

In 1974, the depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Chapter members work diligently to uphold the character of the building. Lamps are reproductions of what you would have seen at the time. The mortar they use to shore up the bricks is tempered so it doesn’t destroy the existing old and soft brick.

Chapter members spend many hours working on restoring the bricks of the depot | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Mortar supplies | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

Still there is a lot to be done. The chapter is looking forward to its next projects – stabilizing the southwest corner of the building, replacing the safety railing on the platform, and adding a new door for the side of the freight room facing the railroad tracks.

Pointing out some of the projects to be done: replacing the old freight door and the railing. Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

The old railing at the depot. | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/DorisKeeler

The Gulf Wind Chapter has received some funding from the Florida Division of Historical Resources, fundraising efforts and by holding public events like the Annual Open House.

Although there are no trains that stop at the depot today, you may be lucky enough to catch one of the Florida Gulf and Atlantic current day freights slipping past. Even if you don’t see a train, if you stand by the track and listen closely, you might just hear the “clickety clack” of the old trains that once kept Lloyd a bustling community.

Train track headed east from the depot. | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler

A special thanks to the Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society for showing us around.

Enjoy more photos of our visit to the Lloyd Depot in the slideshow below.

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The Harvey Trucks | May They Rust in Peace

Driving through smaller towns can reap big benefits – whether it’s a quaint Mom and Pop restaurant, a once-majestic old home left to the elements, or a roadside honey stand still operating on the honor system. And then there are those finds that, at first glance, only seem suited as photo opportunities, yet in the end have their own stories to tell.

One such site is known to the locals of Wakulla County as the Harvey Trucks, owned by long-time resident Pat Harvey and his family.  Located on Crawfordville Highway about two miles north of the intersection of 319 and 98, these old relics once served the Harvey family farm well, first as working vehicles, then later as parts for newer ones. When their use was exhausted, Harvey originally planned on hauling them off for scrap metal.  But once he moved the trucks to the side of the road around 1997 and lined them up, he decided he liked the way they looked in that spot. Little did he know at the time that these two dozen cars and trucks would become the roadside attraction they are today.

The vehicles sit in a semi-circle in chronological order, some as old as the early 1900s and others as “new” as the mid 1970s. Mostly Fords and Dodges, a car buff might also see an old REO Speedwagon front and center.

For folks just passing with no knowledge of the history behind these trucks, they may look like part of a junk yard. For Harvey however, they conjure up pleasant memories. In an interview with WFSU, Harvey recounted some of his most vivid ones.

Among them, the first truck he ever rode in – a rusted 1941 Ford pickup. Then there’s a ’59 Ford he took his driver’s test in, as well as a dark green station wagon which was his family’s first car and the one he used for dates. Although the station wagon is rusted out, a tinge of green paint is evident in several places on the exterior, while the interior still sports faded green and tan seats.

There’s also a cattle truck that did more than just transport cattle. It was used for leisure activities. Harvey remembers sitting on a board put up across the back of the truck and riding down the highway, bugs splatting like a motorcycle without a windshield.

Each vehicle has its own story to tell and as the story of their existence has grown, so, too has their popularity. Over the years, the trucks have become a landmark of sorts. They are used as the backdrop for prom and homecoming pictures, not to mention the subject for photographers and artists alike, whether it’s for their rust and neglect, or just their novelty.

Unfortunately, the years have taken their toll on these old relics. Trees have sprouted through the rusted floorboards; vines have grown around and inside them; and vandals have taken care of what Mother Nature could not. Most are missing all of their emblems or pieces of chrome. Windows have been broken. The interiors stripped of gear shifts and odometers. Still, others got their own “paint job.”  Years ago, there was a sign that sat in the front row of the trucks that read “May They Rust in Peace.”  Sadly, even that sign is gone.

At one time, the Harveys thought they would have to clear away the trucks because of a city ordinance passed to keep folks from letting junk cars sit in their yard in public view.  Fortunately, the Harvey Trucks were grandfathered in and can remain indefinitely.

Visiting the Trucks

Heading south on 319 past Crawfordville and before Medart, the trucks can be seen on the right side of the road. There is no sign that says you have arrived, so it’s easy to drive past the first time. A circular drive makes it easy to park and get out, but it’s advisable to wear closed-toe shoes because of broken glass, overgrown trees and shrubs, and who knows what else. Take your camera along and capture your own photos of these old trucks. I’ve been a couple of times and have taken a picture of something new each time.

Enjoy some of my photos in the slideshow below and stay tuned for another post of just my photos.

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Falling Waters State Park | Home of Florida’s Tallest Waterfall

A visit to any of Florida’s 175 state parks is a good day in and of itself. Whether it’s Blue Spring State Park in Orange City to view the manatees, or the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek to see where the famed author spent her time writing, our state parks offer a variety of experiences.

Did you know there is a Florida State Park that boasts the state’s tallest waterfall? Falling Waters State Park can make that claim and is definitely one park to put on your to-do list.

Falling Waters State Park

THE PARK

Falling Waters State Park is located just south of Chipley in the Florida Panhandle and is comprised of 173 acres and offers a glimpse of what Florida looked like when Spanish explorers first arrived about 500 years ago. Park literature says the land shows evidence of habitation as early as 5,000 years ago and that Native Americans were still living in the area during the British occupation of Florida in 1778. Fast forward more than 240 years and even more is known about the area. In some places, the trail system actually crosses over an “underlying cave system where trained divers using specialized equipment have mapped more than 400 feet of passage beneath the park. These caves and sinkholes play a crucial role in recharging underground supplies of Florida’s drinking water.”

THE WATERFALL

Let’s be honest, when you think of waterfalls, you probably think of the mountains in North Carolina or Georgia, but Florida has its fair share of them as well. They just aren’t as tall and although the highest in Florida is just under 75 feet, it is impressive.

A wooden stairway leads down into the mouth of a 100-foot-deep sinkhole. It’s the closest point to observe the waterfall as the water cascades from a creek into the bottom of the sink then disappears into a cave. On the day of our visit, the sign at the park entrance said the waterfall flow was moderate. Standing close to it, it felt more powerful than that. You could hear the roar and feel the strength of the water as it crashed over the edge.

Fortunately, recent rains had created a stronger flow, which in turn provided a better viewing experience. Summer thunderstorms could result in a raging torrent, or a drought could slow the water to a trickle. Two other observation decks provide picturesque views of the waterfall – with the upper overlook offering the best look at the entire waterfall system. Photos aren’t bad from this location either.

Getting to the waterfall was not as difficult as I expected. A concrete walkway and wooden boardwalks made the hike easier. Steps leading down to them could be tricky if they were wet, but handrails make the descent safer.

OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Although the waterfall is the centerpiece of the park, there is more to see and do. From the lake to the trails to the camping areas, there is something for everyone.

Turtle Lake

Turtle Lake was created to provide a consistent water supply to the waterfall. The overflow from the two-acre lake actually leads to one of the original creeks that feed the waterfall.

Swimming is also a favorite pastime at the lake. Whether you want to sunbathe on the white sandy beach or take a dip in the water to cool off on a hot Florida day, the lake is one of the draws to the park. And there are good fishing spots, too. You just need to have a state freshwater fishing license.

Hiking Trails and History

Three hiking trails provide ample opportunities to see the lush landscape and or any of the twelve sinkholes within the park. Whether it’s the upland pine forest, a hardwood hammock, or the ferns growing along the trail, there is plenty of natural beauty to behold.

The trails also provide a walking history of the park. During the Civil War, the waterfall powered a grist mill for making corn within the park’s boundaries. A legal whiskey distillery was also operated near the falls in the late 1800s and the spirits were sold at a site that would later become Chipley. Farther along the trail, the remnants of an oil well can be seen. The first oil well was drilled in 1919 but was capped off two years later when it failed to produce commercial quantities of oil.

ADDITIONAL SITES TO SEE

If visiting the waterfall, hiking or swimming isn’t enough, you can also get a glimpse of butterflies in the butterfly garden, let your children play on the playground, or spend a weekend camping at one of the sites. Besides boasting the tallest waterfall, Falling Waters State Park can also claim the highest elevated campground in Florida. Pine Ridge Campground has 24 campsites equipped with water, electricity, picnic tables and ground grills.

How to Get There

If you are on Interstate 10 in the panhandle, exit south on State Road 77 (exit 120). Follow SR 77 about a mile to State Park Road, then go east and follow the signs to the park entrance.

The park is open 8:00 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year, unless there are extenuating circumstances. An entrance fee is also required. At the time of this post, that fee was $5.00 per car.

Watch the slideshow below for more photographs of Falling Waters State Park.

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