Situated just five miles from St. Augustine and just a little further south of Jacksonville, Anastasia State Park is one of the best State Parks in Florida for families.
Located on northeast corner of Anastasia Island, Anastasia State Park offers four miles of uninterrupted, pristine Atlantic beach. And the park is teeming with family-friendly wildlife experiences, including the chance to see bald eagles, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles.
Enjoy a hike along the sand dunes on the well-kept boardwalk or cycle along the beach. You can even rent kayaks to paddle through the inshore pond.
Anastasia State Park also has some gorgeous camping opportunities that include 139 campsites split between large RV sites and tent and hammock camping in a forest setting away from the wind.
This protects you from salt spray and blowing sand without leaving you too far away from the attractions. Each campsite has electrical and water hookups.
We’ve made no secret about our love of caves and caverns. In fact, our piece on the coolest caves you can visit with kids is always getting new additions.
Florida Caverns State Park is an incredibly unique Florida State Park. In fact, it’s the only state park in Florida that offers guided tours of dry caverns.
These 45-minute adventures let families get up-close and personal with stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating cave formations.
The tours aren’t as easy as a stroll along the boardwalk, which is part of the reason that we love them. You’ll be doing a bit of climbing and scrambling through some tight areas. So make sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
The cave tours last about 45-minutes. You’ll have plenty of time to experience other things to do at Florida Caverns State Park such as enjoy the six miles of hiking trails, sinkholes, fishing, and even horseback riding.
There are 35 campsites, all with electrical and water hookups. And it’s a popular spot for RV camping in Florida. You’ll also find a pretty fantastic kids’ playground at the park.
We couldn’t feature the best Florida State Parks for families without adding a little kitsch in the mix. And the mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park definitely fits that bill.
This popular underwater display has been a family favorite for almost 75 years. And families and couples alike regularly pack the 400-seat amphitheater to take in the mermaid spectacle and animal encounter show.
But it’s not all live theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, this park is also home to the deepest known freshwater cave system in the United States.
Families can kayak or canoe along the Weeki Wachee River, take guided riverboat tours, and even enjoy the gorgeous white sand beach lining clear turquoise water.