Wow Factor – Florida Caverns State Park

Posted On August 29, 2022

If you’re interested in exploring the air-filled caves that are found in Florida, you may want to consider visiting Florida Caverns State Park. This state park is located near Marianna in the Florida Panhandle. It is the only state park in Florida that offers air-filled cave tours. The caves are home to Gray bats and stalagmites, and are open seven days a week for cave tours.

Stalagmites form in florida caverns

A Florida State Park, Florida Caverns State Park is a stunning place to explore. You can hike and explore these caves, or take a guided cave tour. The tours are offered Thursday through Monday (except Christmas and Thanksgiving), and will provide you with a history of the cave system, geology, and wildlife. The park also has two networks of nature trails, including the Visitor Center Trail, which winds through towering hardwood trees. The Upper Chipola trail is 6 miles long and offers a great deal of exploration.

The caves in Florida caverns state park are formed from the sediments of a limestone formation, which was formed 38 million years ago by a rising sea. These sediments then solidified and formed caves. In this state park, the temperature is about 63 degrees year round, making it an ideal spot to experience nature. Visitors will find natural rock gardens and a variety of wildlife.

Florida Caverns State Park has been home to humans for thousands of years. There are mammoth footprints and pottery sherds from prehistoric times. In addition to cave formations, Florida Caverns is home to many animals, including the endangered gray bat. These bats live in several smaller caves throughout the park and are protected by the Endangered Species Act.

While visiting Florida caverns state park, you will have the opportunity to see stunning formations of calcite and calcium salts. You’ll also be able to see the formations of stalactites, which rise from the cave floor. They eventually merge to form a column. These natural rock formations are fascinating to watch and can’t be missed if you’re a geology enthusiast.

Gray bats live in the caves

Gray bats once populated many caves in the southeastern United States. However, their numbers were significantly reduced by the 1970s due to human disturbance. In North Western Alabama, the population decreased from 150,000 to 10,000, and the species was placed on the endangered species list in 1976.

The extinction of the Florida cave bats was largely due to human disturbance, including cave commercialization. While this threat has been significantly reduced over time because of efforts to protect caves from development, the number of cave bats continues to decrease in caves that are not protected. Since gray bats are highly fidelity to their caves, any disturbance will significantly impact their populations. When the environment is disturbed, they may move to less desirable areas for roosting.

Males of the species swarm in autumn and winter at their hibernaculum. They spend the day in the trees near their hibernaculum, and fly to the cave during the night to hibernate. In two studies, the males roost within 5.6 kilometers of the hibernaculum.

The Florida caves are an excellent habitat for the gray bat. Despite their widespread distribution, the endangered species is threatened by human disturbance. It is important to protect these caves from human disturbance by following these guidelines. If possible, don’t disturb them during the breeding season. The disturbance can cause thousands of flightless young to fall to their deaths. Therefore, caves used for nusery colonies should be left unoccupied until the adults emerge from hibernation at night.

Florida Caverns State Park is home to numerous caves, and visitors can explore them using a guided tour. The park also offers hiking trails, camping, and a nine-hole golf course. In addition to the bats, visitors can also admire geological formations and cave salamanders.

Cave tours are offered seven days a week

Florida Caverns State Park is an air-filled cave park located in the Florida Panhandle near Marianna. This is the only state park in the state that features air-filled caves. It offers guided tours seven days a week.

Cave tours are moderately strenuous and last about 45 minutes. They are available every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $8 per person (13 and older). Children two and under are free. Reservations are recommended as tours can sell out quickly.

Florida Caverns State Park is a popular place to visit if you’re looking for a Florida adventure. It’s the only cave system in Florida that’s accessible by foot. The park also offers hiking trails, canoe rentals, and guided birding walks.

Florida Caverns State Park is the crown jewel of the Florida panhandle. Located near Marianna, it is the only state park with air-filled caves. During your visit, you’ll experience awe-inspiring limestone formations.

Florida Caverns State Park is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park has a ticket office that sells tickets. The park’s gift shop is open nine a.m. to four p.m. CST, and it is possible to purchase a ticket in advance. However, the tour often sells out, especially on holidays and weekends.

Camping

If you’re looking for a unique camping experience in Florida, you should consider camping in Florida Caverns State Park. This unique park is part of the Florida State Parks system and is located in the Florida Panhandle, near Marianna. It’s the only state park in Florida with air-filled caves.

This park is open all year and features an abundance of outdoor activities. Visitors can see native wildlife, including bats, salamanders, blind crayfish, and catfish. There are also several hiking trails and six picnic areas. Guests are advised to make reservations if they are planning to camp in the park.

For campers who plan to bring their RVs, Florida Caverns State Park offers 35 sites with electrical and water hookups. The campground also has three RV/Trailer-only sites. For those who are staying in tents, Florida Caverns State Park offers hiking trails and a dump station. The park is also pet-friendly, and dogs are allowed on leash.

For those who wish to camp in a tent, Florida Caverns State Park offers 38 campsites. The majority of these have electric and water hookups, while three are for tent-only camping. These large and level campsites are great for families with children, and a youth camp is also available in the park.

The park offers an amazing selection of hiking trails, and you can enjoy the sights with the entire family. The state park is open from eight a.m. to dusk, and the cave tours are available daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Located three miles north of Marianna, Florida Caverns State Park can be easily accessed from I-10.

Cavern tour tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis

Visitors to Florida Caverns State Park can tour the caves seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, excluding holidays. Tickets are $5 per vehicle for two to eight people and $2 per additional person. Cavern tours are not recommended for children under eight. The park also offers RV parking at a cost of $7 a night, which includes water, electric, and sewer.

Cavern tour tickets are available at the Florida Caverns State Park gift shop, located in the Visitor Center. The shop sells cave tour tickets, souvenirs, and park information. There are hundreds of items available to purchase, as well as snacks.

Caverns are located about 45-60 feet underground. They are formed from limestone and bedrock. In the past, the area was covered with sea life. The caves also contain fossils such as shark teeth and sea biscuits. Visitors can experience the cool stillness of the caves while enjoying a tour. In addition, electric current runs through the caves, creating colorful lighting in the caverns.

Visitors who want to go on a cavern tour should book in advance. Tickets are available on a first-come, first served basis and may sell out the day before the tour. Visitor Centers at Florida Caverns State Park are open year-round, but cavern tours are not available on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

The caves are naturally dark and explorers originally walked through the caves with lanterns. This gives the cave tour an authentic feel.