Florida Caverns State ParkAbout Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park is a state park near Marianna in the Florida Panhandle that includes show caves with dripstone formations accessible on guided tours. The park combines cave tours with surface recreation along the Chipola River.
The park’s guided cavern tours reveal stalactites, stalagmites, columns and flowstone along developed walkways and stairways. Above ground there are picnic areas, trails, camping and canoe access to the Chipola River for paddling and fishing.
The park’s visitor facilities and cave access were developed in the 1930s with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps; the caves have been managed as a public attraction since mid-20th century and remain one of Florida’s established state-park destinations.
The park lies near the town of Marianna in Jackson County in northwest Florida, accessible by road from regional highways serving the Florida Panhandle.
- Unique caves: It is the only Florida state park that features publicly accessible limestone caves formed by groundwater erosion, and cave tours are guided with limited group sizes.
- Practicalities: Cave interiors are cool and have uneven steps and low clearances; wear sturdy shoes and expect restrictions on flash photography during tours.
What to See#
- Show Caverns: Guided tours of show caverns with visible stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formations; tours use constructed trails and require stair and uneven-surface access.
- Chipola River: The Chipola River runs beside the park and provides canoeing and fishing opportunities along with riverside picnic and trail access.
- CCC-era structures: Park buildings, trails and structures developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s remain and are part of the visitor experience.
Best Time to Visit Florida Caverns State Park
Spring and fall are ideal for combining cave tours with pleasant surface hiking conditions; cave temperature is a constant ~60°F (16°C).
Weather & Climate near Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1429 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 4° - 16° | 8° | 130 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 5° - 18° | 12° | 128 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 22° | 15° | 138 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 12° - 26° | 19° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 16° - 30° | 23° | 105 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 139 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 33° | 27° | 168 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 21° - 33° | 27° | 141 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 115 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 73 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 84 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 5° - 18° | 11° | 112 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Florida Caverns State Park
Located near Marianna, Florida. From Marianna drive northwest on FL-166/US-90 then follow signs to Caverns Road (County Road 167). The park is about a 25-30 minute drive from downtown Marianna.
Tips for Visiting Florida Caverns State Park
- Book a guided cave tour - the limestone rooms with stalactites are accessible only with a ranger-led group.
- Arrive early in summer to avoid school groups and afternoon crowds.
- Pair a cave tour with a walk around the park's trails to see rare karst features and seasonal wildflowers.