Falling Waters State Park-Chipley, Florida
Posted in Day Trips & Overnighters on May 25, 2009
The view of the boardwalk from above the waterfall
We have a day trip category with nothing in it! While a little bit lengthy for my tastes, Falling Waters State Park qualifies as a day trip! It is a fun place to take your nature lovers. A visit to Falling Waters State Park is about 4 hours, round trip in the car. We camped over night so that made the trip much easier on us. Falling Waters has a wonderful campground and is in a beautiful spot. What does Falling Waters State Park have that other parks around us don’t? Well…falling waters, of course! Falling Waters State Park is home to Florida’s highest waterfall. The waterfall, which depending on the season is a slight trickle to a mild flow, flows 73ft into a sinkhole. Because it had rained for almost the entire month, there was water flowing. There are boardwalks over several of the sinkholes so you can go for a walk. There is a small lake where you can cool off. On Saturdays, the park rangers give fireside chats in the camping area. We got to see live snakes that are indigenous to the area. The park has a $4.00 admission fee per car, but if you camp, admission is included in the cost. If you visit, don’t forget to get your Real Florida Passport stamped! 
The sinkhole warning!
One of the sinkholes
Checking out the boardwalks
We wanted to go to Falling Waters but no waters were falling. However we discovered a true gem not much further down I10. Blue Springs Recreation Area is a natural spring with slides, a diving board, picnic areas, a playground, beaches and even an underwater cave! It was truly an awesome place and well worth the drive(about two hours). You take exit 137 in Marianna off of I10. Go north on SR71. Take a right on Blue Spring Rd. It’s easy to find. The cost is 2.00 per person (children 2 and under are free). They are opened Tues.-Sat. 11:00-6:00. They also have paddle boating and canoeing starting at 5.00 an hour. The parks number is (850)482-2114. I highly recommend this place! My kids are begging to go back!
Thanks for sharing Heather…we are headed to JAX this summer and I am going to try and stop there now!