Imagine places so stunning, they’ll make you want to grab your camera and explore every corner.
Florida isn’t just about theme parks and beaches; it’s a treasure chest of natural beauty waiting to be opened.
From the deepest underground caves to the endless ocean horizon, this sunny state offers more than you could dream of.
We’ve got mystical springs with waters clear as glass, majestic landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, and wildlife encounters that bring you face-to-face with some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.
Our favorites are numbers 5,7,13 and 15 on the list.
What are YOUR favorites?
1. Gulf Islands National Seashore
Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida is a stunning stretch of white sandy beaches and clear blue waters.
It’s famous for its amazing coastal beauty, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
The park also has historic forts, like Fort Pickens, where you can explore the past.
If you love nature then you’lll enjoy the chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of birds.
Whether you’re there to relax on the beach or explore the natural wonders, this seashore is a must-visit gem in Florida that you need to see for yourself!
2. Falling Waters State Park
Falling Waters State Park in Florida is home to the state’s tallest waterfall.
Here you’ll find a waterfall at the end of a boardwalk that mysteriously drops about 73 feet and disappears into a deep sinkhole.
The park is known for its unique karst landscape, with lush forests and beautiful natural scenery to explore.
💡 (Karst is a type of landscape where the dissolving of the bedrock has created sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, springs, and other characteristic features.
Visitors love hiking the scenic trails and picnicking near the waterfall’s peaceful surroundings.
The park also has a tranquil lake perfect for swimming and fishing.
It’s a natural wonder that feels like a hidden treasure, making it a perfect spot for an outdoor adventure!
3. Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park is a magical underground world full of stunning caves and cool rock formations.
It’s the only state park in Florida where you can take a guided tour through dazzling limestone caverns.
Inside, you’ll see incredible stalactites, stalagmites, and even flowstones that look like they belong in a fantasy movie.
Above ground, the park offers hiking, biking, and even canoeing on the nearby Chipola River.
Exploring this park feels like stepping into another world, and it’s well worth a visit to experience something a little different.
4. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida is a paradise for nature lovers, with miles of beautiful marshes, forests, and coastal landscapes to explore.
It’s famous for its historic lighthouse (built in 1842) and as a hotspot for birdwatching, where you can spot everything from majestic bald eagles to colorful migratory birds.
The refuge is also home to alligators, deer, and other wildlife, making every visit an exciting adventure.
With scenic trails (like the Headquarters Pond Trail and Deep Creek Trail) and peaceful waterways, it’s the perfect place to connect with nature and discover Florida’s wild side.
You can hike, fish or just soak in the views!
St. Marks is a natural wonder you won’t want to miss if you’re in the area!
5. Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs in Florida is a crystal-clear wonderland, known for its stunningly clear water that stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round.
It’s a top spot for swimming, snorkeling, and especially tubing down the lazy Santa Fe River.
The springs are also famous for its underwater cave system known as the Devil’s Spring System.
These caves are a major attraction for both open water and cave divers from around the world, so if you’re into diving then this place is a must visit destination for you.
With lush greenery surrounding the water, it’s like stepping into a tropical paradise.
Float, dive, or just relax by the shore.
Whatever you end up doing here, the crystal clear waters of Ginnie Springs need to be on your bucket list.
6. Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve in Florida is a place where history and nature come together in a big way.
It’s known for covering 46,000 acres of wetlands, salt marshes, and historic sites, perfect for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching.
The preserve also protects important historical sites, including Fort Caroline and the Kingsley Plantation, where you can learn about Florida’s early settlers and Native American history.
💡Did you know that the Kingsley Plantation is the oldest standing plantation in Florida?
With its mix of natural beauty and fascinating history, visiting Timucuan feels like stepping back in time.
It’s an amazing spot to explore the nature and reflect on the history of Florida all in one place!
7. Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest in Florida is an outdoor adventure paradise, known for its vast pine forests, sparkling springs, and miles of trails.
It’s home to some of the clearest springs in the state, like Juniper and Alexander Springs, where you can swim, snorkel, and canoe in crystal-clear waters.
The forest is also a perfect place to spot wildlife, with opportunities to spot black bears, deer, and all kinds of birds.
With its endless trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding, it’s a great spot for exploring the great outdoors.
The trails vary in difficulty and length so they cater to different levels of outdoor enthusiasts.
Ocala National Forest is a natural wonderland that offers a true taste of Florida’s wild side that you need to experience for yourself.
8. Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park in Florida is famous for its crystal-clear spring water and being a winter haven for gentle manatees.
Every year, these giant, lovable creatures gather in the warm, 72-degree spring, giving visitors an up-close view of Florida’s beloved sea cows.
Visitors can observe them from the park’s boardwalks, which provide excellent viewing opportunities without disturbing the animals.
The park also offers fantastic opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling in its refreshing waters, but only outside of manatee season.
Just note that these water activities are not allowed from around mid November through March in order to protect the Manatees.
Surrounded by lush forests, the springs are a perfect spot for picnicking and hiking along scenic trails.
Blue Spring State Park is a natural wonder where you can relax, explore, and experience some of the majestic manatees that call Florida home.
9. Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park in Florida is a wild and wonderful escape, known for its expansive wetlands, prairies, and the winding Myakka River.
It’s one of the oldest and largest state parks, offering amazing opportunities to see alligators basking in the sun and birds soaring overhead.
The park is famous for its thrilling canopy walk where you can get amazing views of the lush landscape.
The canopy rises 25 feet above the ground and you can climb a tower that reaches 74 feet for an even better view!
Boating, fishing, and hiking are popular here, with miles of trails and waterways to explore.
Myakka River State Park is a natural treasure that lets you experience the wild heart of Florida up close!
10. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Florida is a stunning expanse of wide-open grasslands, known for its breathtaking views and incredible stargazing opportunities.
It’s such a good stargazing spot that the International Dark Sky Association designated it as a Dark Sky Park.
This highlights how it’s one of the best places in Florida to see the Milky Way, thanks to its lack of light pollution that results in super dark skies.
The park is also home to rare and endangered wildlife, like the Florida grasshopper sparrow, making it a must-visit for birdwatchers and people that are into nature.
There are also other threatened birds like the crested caracara that you could spot.
With miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, there’s plenty of room to explore this peaceful, untouched prairie at your own pace.
Kissimmee Prairie is a hidden gem where you can experience Florida’s natural beauty not just during the day but also at night, and it deserves to be on your bucket list.
11. Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee in Florida is a massive freshwater lake, often called the “inland sea” because of its enormous size.
It covers 730 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the second-largest of this kind entirely within the contiguous United States!
It’s famous for fantastic fishing, especially for largemouth bass, drawing anglers from all over.
The lake is surrounded by the scenic LOST (Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail) trail, perfect for biking, hiking, and soaking in beautiful views of the water and wildlife.
Birdwatchers love it here too, with plenty of opportunities to spot herons, egrets, and even the occasional bald eagle.
Lake Okeechobee is a place where you can enjoy endless outdoor adventures and experience one of Florida’s biggest natural wonders.
12. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in Florida is a wild and mysterious swamp, often called the “Amazon of North America” because of its rich biodiversity.
It’s the largest strand swamp in North America and supports an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna.
It’s famous for being home to the rare ghost orchid, a flower that blooms high in the trees and attracts orchid lovers from around the world.
The park’s swampy trails and boardwalks offer a chance to see alligators and numerous bird species.
If you’re lucky you might even see the elusive Florida panther or a bald eagle in their natural habitat!
With its ancient cypress trees and lush, green landscapes, it feels like stepping into a secret jungle.
Fakahatchee Strand is a Florida natural wonder that’s not to be missed!
13. Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida is a vast and unique wilderness, often called the “River of Grass” because of its slow-moving waters that create an incredible landscape.
It’s famous for being the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist, and it’s a melting pot for different types of wildlife like manatees, panthers, and countless bird species like egrets and herons.
And if you want to see flamingos then the Everglades is one of the best places to see them in their natural habitat!
Airboat rides are a thrilling way to explore the park’s swamps and marshes, offering close-up views of its fascinating creatures.
The park also has beautiful trails and waterways for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.
Everglades National Park is an iconic natural wonder that showcases Florida’s wild and untamed side like nowhere else!
14. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida is a vibrant underwater paradise, famous for being the first undersea park in the U.S (established in 1963).
It’s known for its stunning coral reefs, teeming with colorful fish, making it a top spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Visitors can also take glass-bottom boat tours to see the amazing marine life without getting wet.
The park’s crystal-clear waters are perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, offering a peaceful way to explore the 50 miles of mangrove trails and calm lagoons.
John Pennekamp is a must-visit natural wonder if you want to discover the underwater treasures that Florida has to offer.
15. Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida is a remote island paradise, famous for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the historic Fort Jefferson.
It’s located 70 miles off the coast from Key West and is accessible only by boat or seaplane.
Its remote nature helps to make it one of best snorkeling and diving experiences in the U.S., with pristine beaches and underwater landscapes.
Fort Jefferson, one of the largest masonry structures in the Americas, offers a fascinating glimpse into history with stunning ocean views as its backdrop.
💡Fort Jefferson consists of more than 16 million bricks!
Visitors can often spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and even shipwrecks in the park’s protected waters.
Dry Tortugas is a true hidden gem, where adventure and natural beauty come together in a magical, off-the-beaten-path experience!
Summary
Here’s a quick summary of the places listed in this post:
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Falling Waters State Park
- Florida Caverns State Park
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Ginnie Springs
- Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
- Ocala National Forest
- Blue Spring State Park
- Myakka River State Park
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
- Lake Okeechobee
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
- Everglades National Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
So…
How many of these natural wonders will you tick off?
