A several several years back the Genuine Florida Passport method was introduced, enabling visitors to accrue stamps at each individual of the 175 Florida Condition Parks. Even though that system has ended, you can however embark on adventures throughout the total point out of Florida with a Florida Point out Parks Once-a-year Move.
Uncover out how the once-a-year go will work and get some strategies for working day journeys and getaways with our picks for some of the ideal Florida State Parks.
Updated April 2022 by Dani Meyering
What it Is
First, let’s lament the loss of the Genuine Florida Passport. The passport alone is a 216-webpage spiral-certain booklet loaded with park information, stamp placeholders, a fold-out map and blank notice web pages to customize your experience strategies. We pass up you, boo.
Image credit rating: Florida Condition Parks through Instagram
Although the passports are no for a longer period readily available, latest passport holders can still gain stamps at choose point out parks. But even without the need of the passport method, an yearly move to the Florida Condition Parks is a fabulous strategy for partners and people. And it is extremely inexpensive.
Whether or not you are skipping the theme parks and opting for normal parks as an alternative, or you like to explore almost everything our attractive condition has to supply, it really is a superior idea to include a condition parks yearly pass to your assortment.
Related: Orlando Annual Passes with Benefits In addition to Universal and Disney
State Park Once-a-year Pass Alternatives
Person Annual Entrance Go – $60
The Particular person Annual Entrance Pass offers day-use park entry for a single, named passholder.
Additional people accompanying an Specific Annual Entrance Pass holder are admitted at $2 for every human being besides at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Point out Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where the conventional admission payment applies.
Loved ones Once-a-year Entrance Go – $120
The Family members Annual Entrance Move presents working day-use park entry for up to a overall of eight folks moving into as a group,* apart from at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs Point out Park, where the household move is superior for admission of up to two men and women, including the move holder.
A group is described as:
- All the occupants of a car or truck (up to a full of eight individuals), such as the pass holder.
- Up to two motorcycles, such as the pass holder.
- Up to a complete of eight persons entering on foot or bicycles, including the go holder.
- Presents a 33% price cut at Skyway Fishing Pier Condition Park.
Florida Point out Parks to Go to Close to Orlando
With 175 on the checklist, we unquestionably simply cannot highlight every single point out park. Nonetheless, below are some finest Florida state parks around Orlando.
We’ve noted the price tag of every single point out park under, but don’t forget with an yearly move, your entrance is integrated possibly as an individual, or a group of up to 8 folks.
Honeymoon Island Condition Park | Dunedin
West of the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island is comprised of 4 miles of wonderful shorelines. Initial, pop into the Mother nature Center to familiarize your self with this point out park. Then, check out the Osprey trail for hen-viewing, lease kayaks or bikes, geocache, swim, fish, obtain the pet-friendly area and refuel at two snack stands.
Cost entry: $8 per auto
Honeymoon Island
From Tampa Bay Date Night Manual: 5 Factors We Enjoy About a Honeymoon Island Day
Ichetucknee Springs Point out Park | Fort White
As we shared in our blog about Florida’s most effective tubing destinations, Ichetucknee Springs Condition Park is regarded the crown jewel of tubing hotspots. Well, not practically incredibly hot as drinking water temperatures regular 72 degrees yr-round. Found about 2 ½ hrs northwest of Orlando, just beyond Alachua, Ichetucknee has a cluster of nine springs that collectively gush over 200 million gallons of water every day. It was named as a Nationwide Natural Landmark as archaeologists discovered two Indian mounds and a village web-site on the grounds. Bring your own tube or rent 1 from either the park stand or an exterior vendor. Drift alongside fish, turtles and other sea-everyday living below dwell-oak and cypress trees. Other park facilities incorporate climbing trails, snorkeling, geo-trying to get, picnicking and cave diving.
Park entry: $6 per automobile furthermore an alternative for $5 tram assistance or $7 shuttle assistance
Myakka River Point out Park | Sarasota
Found 2 ½ hours from Orlando and regarded as just one of Florida’s oldest and most significant parks, Myakka River Condition Park is fairly various with 58 sq. miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. Enjoy all its elegance from a boardwalk viewing region and also a cover walkway among the trees. Aside from regular h2o recreations, be certain to climb overseas an airboat for a scenic tour. If you desire dry land, decide for the Safari tram tour. Soon after a day of outdoorsy adventures, lease a log cabin and love the rustic charms of a porch and fire.
Park entry: $6 for each automobile
Canopy Walk | Impression credit history: Stephanie Patterson
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park | Micanopy
A pinch closer to residence, about 1 ½ hrs from Orlando, Paynes Prairie turned Florida’s initially state protect in 1971 and was specified as a National Purely natural Landmark. Get started in the customer center to learn about the park’s landscape and record, and climb the 50-foot-large observation tower for panoramic sights. Then, go for a trek by using bicycle, hike or horseback. Continue to keep your eyes peeled for alligators, bison, hundreds of bird species and other wildlife.
Park entry: $6 for each motor vehicle
Paynes Prairie Maintain State Park | Picture credit: Stephanie Patterson
Sebastian Inlet Point out Park | Melbourne
Sandwiched amongst the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Sebastian Inlet Park is nestled on a barrier island concerning Palm Bay and Vero Seashore (about 1 hour 45 minutes from Orlando). Surrounded by h2o, this spot is a favorite amongst fishermen, surfers and other water sports activities-loving partners. With two museums, record buffs will get pleasure from finding out about a 1715 Spanish treasure fleet and the record of the fishing sector. You may possibly have read this region of Florida referred to as the Treasure Coastline and this is your prospect to learn why. Park rangers say this condition park is best for stargazing and, in my belief, that will make for an out-of-this-entire world date night time. Tip: Obtain the free of charge Skyview – Discover the Universe app and place your telephone up toward the sky to establish, magnify and understand about stars, constellations, planets and satellites.
Park entry: $8 per automobile
Silver Springs Point out Park | Ocala
Just over 1 ½ several hours northwest of Orlando, you can check out a very first-magnitude spring at Silver Springs Condition Park with every day water flows of over 550 million gallons. Native People in america, which includes Timucua and Seminole, and Franciscan friars after inhabited the territory. In 1878, Hullam Jones invented the glass-base boat at Silver Springs (a should-do!) and, ever given that, website visitors have flooded in to see the crystal-obvious drinking water and abundance of wildlife, these as alligators, birds, catfish, turtles and monkeys, rumored to have been launched in 1938 by a tour boat operator and unrelated to the spot filming of the ‘Tarzan’ movie in 1939. Pack your digital camera to photograph these astonishing primates, and also acquire edge of campsites, bicycling, canoeing/kayaking, a museum, cafe and equestrian and hiking trails.
Park entry: $8 per car or truck
Silver Springs State Park | Picture credit score: Florida State Parks / image by Barb Winters
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park | Weeki Wachee
With a town populace of 12 (indeed, 12!), Weeki Wachee, named “little spring” by Seminole Indians, boasts a are living mermaid clearly show which is just one of Florida’s oldest and most exclusive roadside attractions. In 1946, Newton Perry invented a free-flowing air hose which lets people (ahem, mermaids) to thrive underwater without having a scuba tank. Beyond these whimsical beings, there is a great deal to see and do in this 538-acre park. Take a boat tour, go kayaking, picnic or just beach bum it! And all of this is much less than 2 hrs absent from Orlando (straight west of the Town Stunning to the coastline).
Park entry: $13 for adults $8 for kids ages 6-12
Are you into Florida’s lovely springs? Plan a Day to Explore Springs in Florida Near Orlando
Also Attempt:
Weeki Wachee mermaids | Impression credit history: Florida State Parks / photograph by Phillip Grierson
Point out Park Weekend Getaways
Cayo Costa State Park | Boca Grande
Venture 3 ½ hours southwest of Orlando to this island hideaway, which is only obtainable through ferry from neighboring islands or by means of personal boat. But that has not deterred nature fanatics (nor really should it sway you) from visiting. In truth, Cayo Costa’s primitive cabins and tent campsites are very substantially form following and have been acknowledged to be booked as considerably as 11 months in progress. If beach front tenting is on your bucket list, prepare forward to make this transpire.
Park entry: $2 for every particular person
Florida Caverns Condition Park | Marianna
In accordance to the Florida State Parks web page, “This is one particular of the several condition parks with dry (air-stuffed) caves and is the only point out park in Florida to supply cave excursions to the public.” Nicely, that seems like a fantastic rationale to get a 5-hour highway-journey up to the Panhandle! Stroll hand-in-hand with your love on a 45-moment tour ($8) to explore limestone stalagmites (growing from the floor), stalactites (dripping from the ceiling) and other organic wonders that took millions of several years to sort. Be guaranteed to wear sturdy sneakers as the cave is somewhat damp and, consequently, the floor is slippery. While you are at Florida Caverns Condition Park, plan to bicycle, hike and boat. And there is no need to hunt for a lodge due to the fact this 1,319-acre park has 35 campsites with electric and water hookups available for RV and tent camping. And park rangers frequently guide campfire circles.
Florida Caverns Condition Park | Graphic credit history: Florida State Parks / photograph by Margaret Hester
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | Crucial Largo
As if you desired a further excuse to take a look at the Florida Keys, John Pennekamp was the very first undersea park in the United States with approximately 70 nautical sq. miles. What does that indicate? Properly, past the mangroves and tropical greenery, scuba divers and snorkelers can plunge into this drinking water wonderland of secured coral reefs. This condition park is most recognized for its Christ of the Abyss statue and sunken USS Spiegel Grove shipwreck. If you didn’t pack your swimsuit and h2o equipment, opt for the glass-base boat tour and wander the 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.
Park entry: $8 for every car, plus .50 cents for each man or woman
You can prepare your go to all around a park function. And, if you strategy to camp, test out this link.
If you happen to be headed to the Tampa Bay region, or have youngsters alongside, test out Tampa Bay Springs You Need to Investigate together with Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs from one particular of our other publications, Tampa Bay Parenting.
Element graphic credit: Florida Point out Parks (Ichetucknee Springs Point out Park)