Florida Caverns State Park is a state park of

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

in the United States, part of the

Florida State Parks There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in the U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than , providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists. Almost half of the state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non- ...

system. It is located in the Florida Panhandle near Marianna. It is the only Florida state park with air-filled

cave A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

s accessible to the public.Florida Caverns State Park, Introduction.
Florida State Parks. The

limestone caves Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms when t ...

in the park have stalagmites, stalactites and

flowstone Flowstones are sheetlike deposits of calcite or other carbonate minerals, formed where water flows down the walls or along the floors of a cave. They are typically found in "solution caves", in limestone, where they are the most common speleoth ...

s formed by the erosion of bedrock. Other formations are above ground, including rivers and springs. Florida Caverns State Park and the neighboring

golf course A golf course is the grounds on which the sport of golf is played. It consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a tee box, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole in the ground, known as a "cup". ...

were constructed by the

Civilian Conservation Corps The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a voluntary government work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28. The CCC was a major part of ...

as part of the New Deal. The park opened in 1942.Florida Caverns State Park, History and Culture.
Florida State Parks.

Park features

The park is notable for its geological features, a protected area of karst topography. This geology hosts an ecosystem with plants and animals that are adapted to the limestone substrates. The caves and waterways have blind crayfish, bats, salamanders, and other species. Native Americans inhabited the area, and it is a site of archaeological interest. The park allows nature study, exploring, and sightseeing. The 9-hole golf course is open. Other activities and amenities in the park include

camping Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home, either without shelter or using basic shelter such as a tent, or a recreational vehicle. Typically, participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more na ...

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

, boating,

horseback riding Equestrianism (from Latin , , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding (Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (American English), includes the disciplines of riding, driving, and vaulting. This broad description includes the ...

, and

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...

. There is a visitor center with interpretive exhibits and concessions. Rangers conduct several tours daily.

Gallery

File:Florida Caverns State Park Entrance Sign.jpeg, Sign at the entrance File:FLCaverns-Jan2007.jpg, Caverns File:View of the Blue Hole Spring swimming area at Florida Caverns State Park- Marianna, Florida (3326614256).jpg, Blue Hole Spring File:Water pool.jpg, Pools of Water

References

External links

Florida Caverns State Park
a
Florida State Parks
Stateparks.com. State parks of Florida Parks in Jackson County, Florida National Natural Landmarks in Florida Caves of Florida Show caves in the United States Limestone caves Protected areas established in 1942 Springs of Florida Florida Native American Heritage Trail Landforms of Jackson County, Florida 1942 establishments in Florida Civilian Conservation Corps in Florida National Park Service rustic in Florida {{JacksonCountyFL-geo-stub