Exploring My 7 Favorite Historic State Parks in Florida
The Florida State Parks system as we know it today kicked off in 1935, thanks to a federal Depression-era program aiming to put America’s out-of-work youth to good use. Even back then, someone thought, “Hey, maybe we should actually preserve a few things.” And so, the idea of protecting Florida’s historic sites under the state park banner started to gain traction.
Fast forward, and Florida’s historic state parks now offer visitors the best of both worlds: history and nature wrapped into one—perfect for those who find the local flora as fascinating as the old forts and battlefields. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the chance to enjoy the outdoors and take a vivid dive into Florida’s past.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my top seven favorite historic state parks (yes, I’ve been selective), share a few activities and attractions that each park has to offer, and drop some tips to make the most of your visit. And if that’s not enough, I’ll throw in a few bonus parks for the overachievers among us looking to tick off a few more boxes on their Florida state parks bucket list. Shall we get started?
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Overview of Historic State Parks in Florida
When people think of Florida’s history, they often imagine it started just last Tuesday compared to, say, the colonial escapades up north. And as far as statehood goes, they’re not entirely wrong. But Florida as a European “hot spot” actually goes back to the earliest European contact in the New World, and the oldest continuously inhabited European city in the U.S. is, in fact, right here in Florida. (Sorry, Jamestown.)
Long before Europeans showed up with their ships and questionable motives, Florida’s indigenous peoples were here living lives that respected nature in ways we could learn a thing or two from today. These communities knew the land intimately—where to settle, where to hunt, where to fish—and how to do it sustainably, long before that word became trendy. You’ll find evidence of their lives in preserved shell mounds scattered across county, state, and national parks, each a testament to their relationship with the land.
Florida’s historic state parks also protect sites from more recent history—forts, historic homes, archaeological gems—that make Florida both unique and, dare I say, a little bit fascinating. Without these parks, we’d be waving goodbye to a big part of Florida’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, not to mention the stories that make it more than just beaches and theme parks.
Seven Top Historic State Parks to Visit
Florida’s award-winning state park system boasts over 175 parks, many with their own slice of history. These seven, though, stand out as personal favorites (from the parks I’ve visited, that is—still working on checking off the rest).

Fort Clinch State Park
Fort Clinch has seen it all—wars, occupations, and even a brief stint in private ownership (it’s had quite the eventful life for a fort). Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River with cannons strategically pointed at Georgia, it’s been a key player in Florida’s military history and in Amelia Island’s long, colorful past.
Fortifications here date back to 1736, starting with a few wooden structures. But it wasn’t until 100 years later that the U.S. decided to build the more serious brick-and-mortar Fort Clinch we see today. After the War of 1812, coastal defenses became a priority, though Florida didn’t even join the Union until 1845. The U.S. Army got to work on the fort in 1847, but by the time the Civil War began, the place was still missing its cannons. Oops.
During the Civil War, the Confederates initially controlled Fort Clinch, but the Union took over in 1862 and actually finished the job. Over the years, it’s seen several roles: abandoned in 1869, repurposed as a barracks and ammunition depot in the Spanish-American War, sold off in the 1920s, restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, and put to use as a surveillance and communications base during WWII.
And as if all that military history weren’t enough, Fort Clinch also helped guide sailors past the notorious shifting sands of Cumberland Sound, a stretch infamous for wrecking ships. The Amelia Island Lighthouse and mobile lights (the 1800s version of GPS, perhaps) were crucial to helping ships navigate safely. Today, visitors can still spot remnants of one of the oil houses that helped keep those lights burning.

Main Attractions at Fort Clinch State Park
Spanning 1,400 acres, Fort Clinch State Park has plenty to offer beyond its walls. Whether you’re here for the history or just looking for a scenic escape, here’s a taste of what awaits:
- The Fort: Explore bastions, guard rooms, a prison, barracks, a bakery, blacksmith shop, hospital, kitchens, storehouses, and galleries. It’s basically a historic village within walls.
- Museum: Step inside for photos, videos, and artifacts that delve deeper into Fort Clinch’s story and the “third system” forts of the era.
- Beach: The Atlantic beach offers prime spots for shelling, sunbathing, surfing, and swimming—because every good fort deserves a beach.
- Trails: With 3.3 miles of paved roads for cyclists and 6 miles of unpaved trails for hikers and off-road cyclists, there’s no shortage of scenic paths to wander.
- Campground: Enjoy the 69 campsites nestled in wooded spots with quick access to either the beach or the Amelia River, making it ideal for stargazing or a weekend escape.

Collier-Seminole State Park
One of Florida’s lesser-known treasures, Collier-Seminole State Park, has a history that deserves more than just a side note. Tucked within one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world, this park combines Florida’s wild beauty with a past worth exploring — a perfect mix for both history buffs and nature lovers.
Located in Southwest Florida, near the Picayune Strand State Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier-Seminole State Park preserves the stories of early Collier County, the Seminole Tribe, and an engineering marvel: the Tamiami Trail. Encircled by South Florida’s iconic wetlands, it’s a rare blend of history and wilderness.
During the Seminole Wars, the Seminoles escaped to these swamps, confident the U.S. Army would not risk following them into the muck and mosquitoes. It was a strategy that saved their lives and helped them survive despite decades of, shall we say, less-than-neighborly treatment.
Back in the 1800s, a rough military map labeled part of this swampy area as “palm grove.” Fast forward to the 1920s, when Barron Collier (who basically bought half of Florida’s swamp land) discovered that this so-called grove was actually a rare stand of royal palms — one of only 12 species of native palms in the state. Collier created a park here to preserve these stately trees, which would eventually become the foundation of today’s state park.
In 1947, Barron Collier’s park was donated to the state, officially becoming Collier-Seminole State Park. With over 7,000 acres, this park may not be on everyone’s radar, but it has enough unique features and views to make the trip well worth your time.

Main Attractions at Collier-Seminole State Park
Much of the park is wetlands and waterways, but here’s what’s worth a closer look:
- Historic Walking Dredge: This hefty relic helped build the Tamiami Trail, one of the gutsier projects of early 20th-century Florida.
- Seminole Blockhouse: Originally a caretaker’s cottage, now a quaint peek into the past (emphasis on quaint).
- Collier Monument: A monument Collier and the many people who died on both sides of the Seminole Wars
- Trails: Three trails include a 3.5-mile off-road bike trail, a 6.5-mile hiking trail, and a short nature trail for those who prefer to keep things casual.
- Campground: 105 campsites, giving you a “tropical outpost” vibe right at the edge of the Everglades.
- Boat Ramp: Launch your shallow-water craft into the Blackwater River and discover the surrounding waterways.
- Grocery Camp: A primitive campsite that’s accessible only by boat or kayak — because nothing says “adventure” like being nine miles from the nearest boat ramp.
- Christmas Cache: The oldest geocache in any Florida state park. Yes, this place even has history buried in Tupperware.

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
The Bulow Plantation Ruins rise from the forest floor like fingers of history clawing back to life. They’re a stark reminder of Florida’s crop-driven past, where enslaved labor fueled markets and the Seminole Wars shattered lives and livelihoods.
Bulow Plantation began in 1821 when Major Charles Wilhelm Bulow bought over 4,000 acres along a creek that now bears his name. The plantation thrived, producing sugar cane, rice, indigo, and cotton, worked by over 200 enslaved people. A small town, Bulowville, sprang up around this mini-empire.
After Charles’ sudden death in 1823, his teenage son, John Joachim Bulow, took over. In 1831, John James Audubon even visited and used Bulowville as his base to document Florida’s bird species. But in 1836, when the Second Seminole War hit, John sided with the Seminoles. Shortly after, he had to abandon the plantation, which was burned down in January 1836. John himself passed away a few months later at just 26.

Main Attractions at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Small but packed with sights, this 150-acre park along the Halifax River offers:
- Slave quarters ruins
- Spring House ruins
- Sugar Mill ruins
- Bulow Woods Trail: 6.8 miles for hiking
- Outdoor museum: artifacts and written accounts of historical happenings at the plantation
- Bulow Creek: excellent for kayaking and canoeing to explore the surrounding waterways and marshes

Fort Mose Historic State Park
Fort Mose is one of Florida’s most significant historical sites, founded in 1738 as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what would become the United States. Freedom seekers escaping slavery from the English colonies found refuge here in Spanish Florida.
After 1687, several freedom seekers braved the wilderness south to Spanish Florida, where the Spanish government provided more freedoms. By 1738, the Spanish governor chartered Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or Fort Mose, as an official settlement for the growing community. The settlers pledged loyalty to Spain, converted to Catholicism, and even served in the local militia, helping defend St. Augustine.
By 1763, Spain ceded Florida to the British, forcing Fort Mose’s residents to leave. Many fled to Cuba, though some likely integrated with local Native American tribes. Today, the site is a National Historic Landmark, commemorated as a critical piece of history.

Main Attractions at Fort Mose Historic State Park
This 40-acre park north of St. Augustine offers:
- Museum: interactive audio, video and tactile stations, paintings, historic maps, and artifacts
- Interpretive boardwalk: interpretive visual signage along the park’s main boardwalk
- Boardwalks: wheelchair accessible with vantage points for viewing wildlife

Indian Key Historic State Park
Eleven-acre Indian Key has been many things over the centuries—Native American site, county seat, and an ambitious business venture. In 1831, entrepreneur Jacob Housman bought the island to build his salvaging empire, turning it into a bustling little community.
Things took a downturn in the late 1830s. In 1838, Dr. Henry Perrine moved to the island to wait out the Second Seminole War, only to be killed in an 1840 attack by the Seminoles that left Indian Key in ruins.
The island never regained its former glory. It was used in the early 1870s as a staging location during construction of the Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Henry Flagler also used the island as a depot and staging location during construction of his Overseas Railroad.

Main Attractions at Indian Key Historic State Park
Though only accessible by boat or kayak, Indian Key offers a lot for those willing to venture out:
- Building foundations: several foundations remain
- Observation tower
- Interpretive trail: explore the recreated street system from the town’s heyday

Deleon Springs State Park
Deleon Springs State Park is rich with history and natural beauty. The park’s centerpiece is De Leon Springs, a second-magnitude freshwater spring recognized as an Outstanding Florida Spring.
The area surrounding the spring has been home to the Mayaca people for over 6,000 years. They called the spring “Acuera,” or “healing waters”. Evidence of this past can still be seen in the shell mounds scattered throughout the park.
In the late 1700s, Spring Garden Plantation took root here, and by 1832, the first water-powered sugar mill was operating on site. The Seminole Wars disrupted life at the plantation in 1835, and the Union Army destroyed the rebuilt mill in 1864. Later, from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, the area became a popular tourist attraction with a unique lineup of mid-century oddities, from a jungle cruise to a water-skiing elephant.

Main Attractions at Deleon Springs State Park
- De Leon Spring: A popular spot for swimming and snorkeling in the spring’s crystal-clear waters.
- Spring Garden Run: Perfect for kayaking, boating, and fishing.
- Trails: Enjoy a 4-mile hiking trail or a half-mile paved interpretive nature trail.
- Old Sugar Mill Pancake House: Set on the site of the original sugar mill, the restaurant is surrounded by historic ruins.
- Visitor Center: Learn more about the park’s rich history and natural features.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park
While most people head to Crystal River to swim with the famously adorable “floaty potatoes” (aka manatees), there’s another gem here that deserves attention: Crystal River Archaeological State Park. I’m an archaeology nut, and this is one of my favorite state parks in Florida. The 60-acre park is home to one of Florida’s oldest pre-Columbian sites and offers a different kind of awe-inspiring experience.
For about 1,600 years, Native Americans gathered at Crystal River, building temple mounds, burial mounds, and shell middens. The site was a bustling hub, with around 7,500 visitors arriving annually—an impressive number even by today’s standards. But like most ancient Florida sites, it fell into disuse about 500 years ago with the arrival of Europeans.
Today, the six-mound complex mostly serves as an archaeological site, with a museum showcasing artifacts and sharing the history of the area.
Main Attractions at Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Don’t rush through this spot; the views and stories here are worth soaking in. Here’s what to look out for:
- Temple Mound: Climb the stairs to the top for a breathtaking view of the river.
- Burial Mounds: Reflect on the ancient history as you walk among these sacred spaces.
- Museum: Packed with artifacts, it’s a quick but fascinating stop for anyone curious about Florida’s deep history.
Seasonal Highlights at Florida’s Historic State Parks
No matter when you visit, Florida’s state parks offer something unique each season. Here’s a quick guide:
Spring: This is the Florida high season—think March and April, when the animals are active, the plants are blooming, and you’re not yet melting under the sun. Spring is a showcase of nature at its best.
Summer: Imagine winter in most places—that’s what summer is like here: quieter. It’s too hot for a lot of wildlife to be out, and many migratory birds have flown off to cooler spots. But there’s a silver lining: summer is the perfect excuse to take a refreshing dip in one of Florida’s crystal-clear freshwater springs.
Fall: Fall is festival season in Florida, and the parks are filled with historic reenactments and holiday décor. While you won’t see autumn leaves, you will get a unique blend of seasonal fun, Florida-style.
Winter: Fewer crowds and the best hiking weather around—this is prime time for longer hikes and birdwatching. Enjoy cool, crisp days without breaking a sweat.
Best Activities and Event in Historic State Parks
From October through April, state parks host several great activities for history lovers and nature enthusiasts. Some activities you might enjoy include:
- Ranger-led nature walks
- Guide bird walks
- Park After Dark nights
- Florida Heritage Day: living-history timeline at Dade Battlefield
- Annual Fall Farm and Cane Festival at Dudley Farm Historic State Park
- Holidays on the Prairie: celebrate the holidays like it’s the 1800s at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- Dade’s Battle of 1835: re-enactment at Dade Battlefield
- Olustee Re-enactment at Olustee Battlefield
- Florida Folk Festival: 3-days of music, arts, and culture at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Tips for Planning Your Visit
You’ve picked your favorite historic state parks in Florida to explore and know what you want to see. Here are a few tips to make the best of your visit:
- Choose the right season for your visit. This is especially important if you’re planning to see something specific, like manatees (winter), a special event, or want to enjoy a certain activity (ie, hiking in summer is brutal).
- Bring the Florida essentials: a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, change of clothes, lots of water, snacks, comfortable shoes.
- Respect historic sites. When visiting historic sites, it’s important to do what you can to help preserve them for future generations. This means staying on marked trails or paths, not touching artifacts, and following the rules of the site.
- Practice “leave no trace”. Whether you’re visiting an historic site or just a nature preserve, practice leave no trace principles, such as packing trash out with you, not trampling over plants or ruins, and observing wildlife from an appropriate distance.
Other Notable Historic Parks to Explore
Many of Florida’s state parks have some sort of historic component to them. If the seven above left you craving more, here are five more historic state parks I love and think you should visit if you can.
- Silver Springs State Park: one of the world’s largest freshwater springs and Florida’s first tourist attraction
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaids and the state’s deepest freshwater cave system
- Dudley Farm Historic State Park: authenticate working farm dating to the 1880s
- The Barnacle Historic State Park: historic home from Miami’s frontier days
- Gamble Plantation Historic State Park: the only surviving plantation house in South Florida
Wrapping It Up: Historic State Parks in Florida
Exploring Florida’s historic state parks is like stepping into a story where nature and history live in harmony, creating experiences you won’t find anywhere else. From ancient ceremonial mounds to colonial sugar mills and alligator-laden springs, these parks preserve the beauty and mystery of Florida’s past and present.
So why not see it all for yourself? Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these parks offer a firsthand look into stories that have shaped Florida. Bookmark this guide as your go-to resource for Florida travel planning, and when you visit, don’t forget to share your own discoveries and stories in the comments. I’d love to hear about your adventures!
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