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I have to say that this may be one of Florida Panhandle’s best-kept secrets, and I am excited to spill the beans about it today.  After having it on our bucket list for two years (more about that in a minute), we finally made it to Florida Caverns State Park.

Located just north of Marianna, Florida, this is the only Florida state park with air-filled caves that are accessible to the public.   I am always surprised at how many people don’t know about this, and also want to point out that even if you don’t live nearby (it’s about 50 minutes from Dothan, Alabama), it’s actually only a very short detour off of Interstate 10, which is the main road through the Florida panhandle and the route many would take when traveling to other parts of Florida.

So, keep it on your radar, or share this post with a friend!

Florida Caverns State Park

When you think about visiting Florida state, dark underground caverns are probably the last thing to come to your mind! If you saw the photo below, you would probably think it was part of a Disney attraction, right?   Well, it’s all-natural and such a cool (literally because it stays 65 degrees inside the Florida caverns year around) place to experience on your next visit to northern Florida!

Our Visit to Florida Caverns State Park

Last Sunday, we finally got a chance to visit and take a Florida cave tour ourselves!   We would have come sooner. However, this area got hit very hard by Hurricane Michael in late 2018, and most of the trees were destroyed.

The high winds also destroyed the electrical wiring above ground, leading to and lighting up the cave system, and it was quite a project to get that up and running again.  They were so happy to get it re-opened, and then the pandemic hit, forcing closures and cancellations of the cave tours.

But now the cave tours at Florida Caverns State Park are back open!  Due to the limited number of spots on each tour, they do sell out quickly, and our best tip is to arrive as close to 8 am as possible to get your name on the list.

You just head into the gift shop, secure a place in the next available tour (and a time to return), and can visit the museum upstairs or the park in general until it’s your turn.  Details on hours, tours, etc., will be at the end of this post.

They also do have a limited number of online advance reservations available here.

Formation of the Florida Caverns

These fascinating caverns in north Florida have been around for a long time, with their formation beginning 38 million years ago.  The limestone creation is actually a result of higher sea levels and is actually made up of sea sediments (including shells, coral, etc.) that hardened when sea levels began to fall.

The actual caves themselves formed just over the past million or so years, give or take when the acidic groundwater created crevices below the surface that eventually led to larger passages.  And above and below these passages, a variety of drip formations formed, and are still forming, drop by drop as the naturally acidic water dissolves.  Visitors will see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, draperies, soda straws, and more spectacular works of nature while touring these caverns in the Florida panhandle.  

History of the Florida Caverns

There is a rich history here as well.  These caverns were used by Native Americans for generations, and even more recently, during the Seminole Wars, many Native Americans were forced to hide in these caves.   And then, in the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps came in and made the park what it is today.

I mentioned this last week in my Instagram stories, but I am in awe and grateful for everything that came out of the CCC New Deal initiative.  There have been many times that we were enjoying a park and learned that it was a result of that.  The decades of use that came from all of that hard work are astounding, and many of these buildings still stand today.  I tell Matt at least once a month that we need to do that again.   It was such a great way to give jobs and create something wonderful for fellow humans to enjoy.

Anyway, I can talk about this forever, but they were the ones who went in there and expanded the pathways and made them accessible for people like us today!

When we visited, it was raining, and we didn’t really get to explore the rest of the park, but if you want, you can read more about it here.   The park boasts a fresh-water spring swimming hole, magnificent bluffs, a campground (currently closed), swimming and canoeing ( the Chipola River actually runs underground through part of the park and then reemerges above ground nearby), and of course, the caves.

What to Expect When Visiting Florida Caverns State Park

We didn’t really know what to expect, so wanted to share what the tour experience was like for us.  And make sure to check out the Florida Caverns State Park map before your trip.

First, you are in small groups for the cave tours, and each group has its own tour guide.   You meet up at the museum just before your scheduled tour time and then take a short walk over to the cave entrance.

The tour itself lasts around 35-45 minutes and takes you through various rooms, like the wedding room with its wedding cake-like formation, and each room is well-lit to show off the geological features it houses.  We didn’t feel rushed and enjoyed the commentary from our friendly guide, Trent.  He pointed out interesting things, such as a shark tooth that you would visibly see in the ceiling; remember how that limestone was created above?

There are a couple of times when he would even turn off the lights for a very short time so that you could experience just how dark and silent these caves were for generations past.  The beautiful lighting they have throughout the caves now is a treat but obviously doesn’t accurately portray what life was like back in these for the Native Americans seeking shelter here.

At the end of the tour, you will exit at the other end and then are free to take the scenic route back or the paved path.

At that point, I would recommend heading back to the gift shop and the small museum.  The gift shop has all kinds of goodies, and the museum, while small, is full of interesting information bout the park, including the endangered animals that call it home and the history of the area.  So, leave time for this after or spend some time enjoying these areas while you wait for your tour to begin.

Our Nebo Flashlights

We recently received a package from NEBO with several of their rechargeable LED flashlights, and the kids were excited to bring the smaller two lights with them on this trip.  Jake was carrying the 500 Lumen Slyde King for this trip and was able to see so many cool things!  If you are looking for a gift idea, Matt loves their Emergency Prep Kit.

Tips for Your Cave Tour at Florida Caverns State Park

• Wear closed-toed shoes, preferably waterproof, as it’s dark and some water tends to pool at the bottom.
• Leave your purse/bag in the car.  They will ask you to carry backpacks on your front, so just leave them in the car.
• Use the bathrooms first.
• Bring flashlights.  Be courteous, and don’t point them at people.
• The cave is around 65 degrees year-round, so dress accordingly.
• Ask questions!  The tour guides love sharing what they know.
• Grab a bite at Mashawy afterward.  It’s a family-owned fine-dining restaurant under a mile away.  They serve Mediterranean food and was so good.  Great service too!

Plan Your Visit to Florida Caverns State Park

Our initial visit to Florida Caverns State Park and our Florida Caverns Tour was Sunday, December 13th, 2020, when pandemic protocols were in place.  This post has been updated on April 1, 2023, and all information is current as of then.

Please visit the Florida State Parks Website here for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.

Florida Caverns State Park Location

Location:  3345 Caverns Road, Marianna,  FL 32446

Florida Caverns State Park Hours

Hours:  The park is open from 8:00 am until sundown, 365 days a year.  Cave tours are not available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Florida Caverns State Park Cost

Park Fees:  $5 per vehicle to enter the park. 

Cave Tour Fees:  Children 2 and under are free.  Ages 3 to 12 are $5 per person.  Ages 13+ are $10.75 per person.