Top 5 State Parks in West Central Florida
Silver Springs - Ocala, FL
Home to Florida’s oldest attraction, Silver Springs is our favorite state park in West Central Florida. The Glass Bottom Boats offer a unique view of the crystal blue springs where a number of movies were filmed. Walk the trails or take a kayak through the park keeping an eye out for alligators and monkeys. Click here to view one of our visits to this state park.
Rainbow River Springs State Park - Dunnellon, FL
Waterfalls in Florida? Yes! At Rainbow River Springs State Park you will find waterfalls as you walk through the lush Florida foliage. Hop on a kayak or paddle board and explore the beautiful, blue river. Swim in the designated swimming area on a hot day and enjoy a picnic on a day visit. Once home to an attraction park, you will find remnants of this tourist spot from back in the day. If you are looking to hike there are plenty of trails with geocaching spots throughout! Click here to view one of our visits to this state park.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Micanopy, FL
Paynes Prairie State Park is quite different from any of the other parks we have on the list. Obviously, it isn’t the dense, subtropical forests we are used to seeing. This park offers views of flat prairie land with plenty of opportunities for walking or riding. While out walking keep an eye out for birds of prey, alligators, wild horses, and wild bison. Get a bird's eye view from the observation tower! Click here to view one of our visits to this state park.
Myakka River State Park - Sarasota, FL
Further south in Sarasota, you will find another opportunity for hiking through forests at Myakka River State Park. This time, you will have the option to walk through the canopy, and even above the canopy, of the forest below. With beautiful views, kayaking, a restaurant, and more alligators this is a must-do state park. Click here to view one of our visits to this state park.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park - Cross Creek, FL
Rounding out our top five favorite state parks in West Central Florida is Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. The homestead of a Pulitzer Prize winning author who shared her experiences in Real Florida through her writings, this is a one-of-a-kind experience led by wonderful tour guides. Take a step back in time and reminisce on how life was when Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived here. Click here to view one of our visits to this state park.
Honorable Mentions
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - Homosassa, FL
Crystal River Archeological State Park - Crystal River, FL
Fort Cooper State Park - Inverness, FL
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