Most people head to Florida to sunbathe on the beach, swim in the ocean, or visit Mickey Mouse. But did you know you can also explore Florida caves? Even Florida residents might be shocked to learn that this state also has natural caves to wander through.
What should come as no surprise is that many of the Florida cave systems are underwater. In fact, Florida is one of the most popular destinations in the world for cave divers. But there are several dry caves as well — here are just a couple Florida caves you can plan to visit on your next trip to the Sunshine State.
Florida Caverns State Park
The first stop on your Florida caves adventure is Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Located just west of the state capital of Tallahassee, here you will find the only open air cave in Florida that is open to the public year round. Dozens of limestone formations jut up from the floor and drip down from above into a dizzying array of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies. It takes about 45 minutes to make your way through this cave and it is considered moderately strenuous.
Florida Caverns State Park is so popular that cave tours fill up fast, so call ahead to the ranger station to see if you can get in on your desired day. Tours are conducted Thursdays through Monday throughout the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This park also offers camping, canoeing, fishing, and picnic grounds.
Warren’s Cave
A couple of hours south, near Gainesville, you will find Warren’s Cave. This is the longest of the dry Florida caves, with more than four miles of complex passageways. The cave is located in the Warren Cave Nature Preserve and it can be accessed by any adventurous cave lover, as long as a liability waiver is signed. Check with park officials beforehand to make sure the cave is open for your spelunking adventure.
Featured Image from Ivana Cajina/Unsplash
