Florida Caverns State Park

Useful Information

Location:	5 km north of Marianna. From I-10 Take Marianna Exit 136 or 142 North and follow signs to the park. Off of U.S. 90 on S.R. 166.
Open:	MAR to SEP Mon, Thu-Sun 9-16:30, last tour 16. OCT to FEB daily 9-16. Flashlight Tour: 27-MAR-2006 to 02-SEP-2006 Sat 17:30. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Visitor Center opens 8:15. [2011]
Fee:	Park Fees: per vehicle USD 5. Cave Tour Fees: Adults USD 8, Children (3-12) USD 5, Children (0-2) free. Groups (25+): Adults USD 4, only prebooked, two weeks in advance, prepaid, not on weekends or in holidays. Plus tax. [2011]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	T=16 °C.
Guided tours:	D=45 min., L=490 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Florida Caverns State Park, 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, FL 32446, Tel: +1-850-482-9598. Reservations, Tel: +1-850-482-1341.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1942	Visitor Center completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, cave opened to the public.

Description

Florida Caverns has extraordinary formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, columns, rimstone pools, and draperies. The Visitor Center contains a small museum focussing on the history of the park and the caves. A film offers visitors a glimpse of the wonders that await them on the tour. It runs continually throughout the day.

While electrically lit the cave has no paths, as the floor is mostly level. However, the ground may be uneven and sometimes slippery.

The State Park contains numerous caves, but Florida Cavern is the only developed show cave in the park. Florida Park Service permits are required to enter any other caves in the park. Some are open for scientific research only, visitors are asked to respect the off-limits status of these caves. Blue Hole Spring is a karst spring and it is possible to swim in the clear, aquamarine water.