🧭 Off the Beaten Path in Florida’s Panhandle 🌴💦🌌 Exploring the Magic of Falling Waters & Cavernous Wonders at Florida Caverns 🕳️✨

March 18, 2024

Florida is often associated with its sunny beaches and world-famous theme parks, but tucked away in the Panhandle are two unforgettable state parks offering unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else: Falling Waters State Park and Florida Caverns State Park. Whether you're a nature lover, history enthusiast, or road tripper, these destinations offer rich history, natural beauty, and serene adventures that showcase a lesser-known side of the Sunshine State.

🌊 Falling Waters State Park: Florida’s Tallest Waterfall Disappears Underground

Located in the quiet town of Chipley, Falling Waters State Park is home to the tallest waterfall in Florida — a 70-foot cascade that vanishes mysteriously into a massive sinkhole. That’s right: instead of ending in a river or pool, the waterfall disappears into a limestone cave below the surface.

💡 Historical Significance

Long before it became a state park, this area had a colorful and industrious past. Native Americans lived in this region thousands of years ago, and arrowheads and pottery from the Weeden Island culture have been found here.

Later, in the 1800s, a Civil War-era gristmill powered by the waterfall was built on the site, and by the 1890s, a distillery had also taken advantage of the location's natural resources. But perhaps the most intriguing chapter came in 1919 when Florida’s very first oil well was drilled here — based on little more than local folklore and a 400-year-old Spanish diary. Although the well never produced commercially viable oil and was capped in 1921, it remains a fascinating piece of Florida’s industrial past.

🚶‍♂️ What to Do at Falling Waters

Aside from the main waterfall attraction, the park offers scenic nature trails through pine forests and down into sinkholes, perfect for a peaceful hike. Birdwatchers and wildlife lovers will find plenty to enjoy, and there are campsites for overnight stays. Whether you’re a history buff or nature enthusiast, Falling Waters makes for a unique stop on your Florida road trip.

🕳️ Florida Caverns State Park: An Underground Adventure Awaits

Just 30 miles east of Falling Waters, near the town of Marianna, lies one of Florida’s most surprising natural wonders — Florida Caverns State Park. This is the only Florida state park where you can take a guided tour through air-filled limestone caves filled with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies.

🏗️ Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, transformed the area into a destination for public recreation. CCC workers excavated passages by hand and developed trails, the visitor center, and other infrastructure that still stands today. The hard work of these young men made the park accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.

🧭 Inside the Caverns

Guided tours take visitors 60 feet below ground into a labyrinth of cool, damp caves. The temperature inside remains a comfortable 65°F year-round — a welcome relief on hot Florida days. Tours last about 35 to 40 minutes and are offered Thursday through Monday. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the park’s gift shop.

The experience is fascinating and informative, offering a chance to see Florida from a completely new angle — underground.

🏞️ Beyond the Caves: Trails, Campgrounds, and More

Florida Caverns State Park offers more than just caves. With 35 campsites featuring full hookups and three primitive tent sites, the park is a great basecamp for exploring the surrounding area. Trails wind through forests recovering from Hurricane Michael, which devastated the park in 2018, taking out over 90% of its tree canopy.

Some of the trails are suitable for mountain bikes with fat tires, while others, especially those near the visitor center, are best enjoyed on foot.

🚣 Kayaking Merritt Mill Pond: Crystal Clear Waters

While we could have kayaked on the Chipola River, just steps from the campground, we chose instead to explore Merritt Mill Pond, just 7 miles away. This four-mile-long spring-fed body of water is known for its astonishing clarity — the result of several freshwater springs, including Jackson Blue Spring, a first-magnitude spring.

The pond, which was dammed in the 1800s to power a gristmill, is now a serene destination for kayaking, paddleboarding, cave diving, and fishing. Even on a dreary day, paddling here feels surreal — as if gliding across glass.

It was the first time I’d taken the kayak out on this trip, and it reminded me just how peaceful the water can be.

🌲 A Final Hike Before We Move On

Before leaving the area, we hit one last trail in Florida Caverns State Park — and it turned out to be my favorite. Quiet, scenic, and rich with nature, it perfectly wrapped up our stay in this peaceful part of the Panhandle.

I can’t say enough good things about this campground. Between the lush surroundings, convenient amenities, and easy access to both natural beauty and history, Florida Caverns State Park has quickly become one of my favorite state parks to date.

🧳 Planning Your Trip: Tips and Visitor Info

📍 Falling Waters State Park

• Location: Chipley, FL

• Hours: Open daily, 8 AM to sunset

• Entrance Fee: $5 per vehicle

• Attractions: Waterfall, hiking trails, picnic areas, historical remnants

📍 Florida Caverns State Park

• Location: Marianna, FL

• Hours: Day-use area open 8 AM to sunset

• Cave Tours: Available Thursday–Monday, first-come, first-served

• Tour Fees: $16 adults (13+), $9 children (3–12), Free under 3

• Camping: 35 RV-friendly full-hookup sites + 3 primitive sites

• Other Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking (Chipola River or Merritt Mill Pond)

🌅 Final Thoughts

Florida’s Panhandle offers so much more than beaches and tourist traps. Falling Waters and Florida Caverns State Parks are immersive, affordable destinations full of beauty, history, and adventure. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, exploring underground, or paddling on crystal-clear waters, this part of Florida has something unforgettable for every type of traveler.

Join us next time as we head south into Suwannee River Country — and continue this journey through the quieter, wilder side of the Sunshine State.