Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park | |
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IUCN category Ib (wilderness area) | |
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Location | Jackson County, Florida, USA |
Nearest city | Marianna, Florida |
Coordinates | 30°48′50″N 85°13′59″W / 30.81389°N 85.23306°WCoordinates: 30°48′50″N 85°13′59″W / 30.81389°N 85.23306°W |
Established | 1942 |
Visitors | 107,597 (in 2013) |
Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Designated | December 1976 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida Caverns State Park. |
Florida Caverns State Park is a Florida's State Park, located in the Florida Panhandle near Marianna. It is home to the only air-filled caves accessible to tourists in Florida.
Florida Caverns is unusual for the state. The limestone caverns were formed over time, as water seeped into and dissolved local bedrock, forming stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones. The same phenomenon is occurring in many other locations throughout Florida; as years pass, local fissures may turn to holes, and holes into caves. However, the vast majority of Florida's groundwater erosion formations have stopped at the sinkhole stage and have not developed further into caves.
Florida Caverns State Park and the neighboring golf course were originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of the New Deal.
Recreational Activities
The park has such amenities as bicycling, birding, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails, horse trails, kayaking, picnicking areas, wildlife viewing and full camping facilities. Ranger-led tours are available on the hour from 9 AM to 4 PM, and take 45 minutes to 1 hour. It also has a visitor center, interpretive exhibit and concessions.
External links
- Florida Caverns State Park at Florida State Parks
- Florida Caverns State Park at State Parks
- Florida Caverns State Park at Great Florida Vacations