About two weeks ago Hubby and I went spelunking at
Florida Caverns State Park. On the drive home we realized we'd be passing
Falling Waters State Park, and with plenty of daylight left it would be a shame to skip the opportunity for a state park 2-fer.
So here's the photo journey through Falling Waters State Park:
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| Falling Waters State Park |
The park includes a series of elevated boardwalks over the limestone sinkholes. The walkways allow hikers to get close to the pits without falling in.
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| Placard explaining why you can't just hike through this forest... |
The photo angles don't do justice to the size of the sinkholes. They could easily swallow a car and many are a hundred feet deep or more.
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| Sinkhole (one of many) |
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| Another sinkhole and placard explaining the Karst formation |
It was nearly impossible to get a photo that showed the depth of Florida's highest waterfall. The falls start at ground-level, and cascade down 100 feet into a limestone tunnel. A set of stairs with decks allow visitors to get about halfway down the falls.
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| The top of the waterfall |
If you ever needed any perspective about how very
flat Florida is, consider that the state's tallest waterfall doesn't cascade off of the side of a mountain or even a steep hill... it tumbles into a cave.
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| Waterfall information |
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| On a deck about halfway down the waterfall |
The park also has a short series of nature trails and a pretty-looking swimming area. (
Note: Even though the swimming area was much nicer-looking than the "Blue Hole" at Florida Caverns, Hubby and I still didn't go for a swim. By the time we arrived, thunder clouds were moving in.)
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| Trail between the waterfall and the lake |
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| Lake at Falling Waters State Park |
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| Lake and swimming area (far side of lake) |
Near the trailhead parking area there is a butterfly garden...
In the spirit of full disclosure, we spent as much time chasing butterflies as we did hiking in this park.
What's your favorite state park or wilderness area?
