Falling Waters State Park has long been a favorite destination for my family. I’ve taken my kids hiking and camping here countless times, roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire and marveling at Florida’s highest waterfall together. Towering pines and fern-covered sinkholes line the Sinkhole Trail, guiding visitors to a view that never fails to inspire awe: a 73-foot cascade disappearing into the depths of a 100-foot cylindrical pit. Its final destination remains a mystery, a reminder of the hidden wonders Florida holds.
“The State Park designation protects these huge sinkholes in this area,” says Glenda Wilson of the Chipley Garden Club. Wilson’s decades-long stewardship of the park’s butterfly garden highlights the care and dedication that help this park thrive. She explains that the native plants—black-eyed Susans, purple coneflowers, Queen Anne’s lace—require hands-on attention, from planting to watering, ensuring that both the flora and the local butterfly populations flourish.
Beyond the waterfall and butterfly garden, Falling Waters offers a quiet retreat just a few miles south of I-10. Families can picnic lakeside, swim, fish, or explore interpretive programs hosted by park rangers in the amphitheater. Hiking here is a gentle immersion into North Florida’s lush landscape, where trails wind past historical remnants: the state’s first oil well, a 19th-century grist mill, and evidence of Native American civilizations dating back 5,000 years.
Planning Your Visit
A sign welcoming guests to Falling Waters State Park. Visit Florida
A sign welcoming guests to Falling Waters State Park.
Visit Florida
Falling Waters State Park is open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year, making it an easy destination for a day hike, picnic, or overnight stay. If you plan to arrive after sunset, the park asks that you call 850-638-6130 to receive the gate combination and instructions. “Water and good walking shoes are must-haves,” Wilson says. “And if you’re coming out to see the butterflies, wait until after 10 a.m.—the dew on their wings prevents them from flying early in the morning. By late morning, you’ll see a lot of butterflies buzzing around.”
Admission is $5 per vehicle carrying two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, or $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers. Camping here starts at $18 per night plus tax. For overnight stays, the campground features 24 sites, each equipped with a picnic table, water, electric service, and a burn ring perfect for a night around the campfire.