HIDDEN GEMS

Some believe the only “gems” Northwest Florida has to offer are the white sand beaches, emerald-green waters, and the bushwhacker served at the tiki beach bar. However, Northwest Florida is a diverse region of the country that boasts not only beaches but also rivers, dense forests, caverns, springs, and much more.

FALLING WATERS STATE PARK 1130 STATE PARK ROAD, CHIPLEY, FL

So, Florida has waterfalls too. Yep, that’s right and the largest waterfall in Florida just so happens to be just a couple hours away. This gem, located right off of I-10 in hiple , lorida, is a serene state par filled with eautiful scenery. The main attraction is of course, the waterfall. The waterfall drops 73 feet into the Falling Waters Sink, which is 100 feet deep and a nearly 20 feet wide cylindrical pit. What happens to the water after that... is a mystery, although it is assumed the water enters the Florida aquifer. The raised boardwalk trail allows visitors to see the waterfall from many different vantage points, from the bottom to the top, as well as other sinkholes that have formed throughout the years. Falling Waters State Park also has the unique appeal of having hills, yes...actual hills, that can make their trails a little more challenging than other parks.

Besides hiking their trails, Falling Waters State Park also offers camping, with both primitive and traditional sites available. There is a large three-acre lake that attracts swimmers and fisherman ali e. The par is also a designated bird watching park as it’s been listed in the Great Florida Birding Trail, with over 100 different birds calling Falling Waters State Park home.

FLORIDA CAVERNS S TATE PARK 3345 CAVERNS ROAD, MARIANNA, F L

If you need a little break from the Florida heat, the Florida Caverns State Park is a perfect day trip. Located in Marianna, Florida, this state park offers a unique attraction for those who want to experience something a little different. The main feature at the park is the cave, a magical area filled with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies. These caves were formed millions of years ago when the area was covered by an ocean. Coral, shells, and sediment hardened into limestone which was then dissolved by acidic groundwater that created crevices below the surface. While these caves were large enough to walk through, they were helped along by the Civilian Conservation Corp, established in 1933, who enlarged the passageways by hand so visitors to the park could stand upright and move throughout the caves. Today, guided tours are available daily at the park, complete with an LED lighting system. For those not able to make the trek into the caves, a guided cave tour video is available in the visitor’s center.

Florida Caverns State Park also offers camping, swimming, paddling, and trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Including a challenging 6.8-milelong trail for those outdoor enthusiasts. Of course, the Florida wildlife and bugs abound, so plan ahead to bring bug spray and keep your eyes open for bobcats, deer, snakes, and more.

BLAC KWATER R IVER S TATE PARK 7720 D EATON BRIDGE ROAD, MILTON, F L

Sometimes you just have to “go on down to the river” and the Blackwater River has all you need for a day of river fun. Located in Milton, Florida, this park is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Despite the name, the river is more of a golden brown with contrasting bright white sandbars throughout. The river runs through forested areas and has the largest contiguous longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem remaining in the world, which some say is more rare than a tropical rainforest. Kayaking, canoeing, and floating the river are the most popular activities, with outside companies available for rentals and shuttles. Hiking trails are aplenty with a few different trails to choose from based on desired view, length, and skill level. Campsites are available with everything from RV hookups to sites for tent camping.

Wildlife is in abundance at the Blackwater River. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with wading birds making their way through the shallow waters to hunt. Florida favorites like deer, alligators, and snakes also enjoy all the Blackwater River area has to offer.

Destin Chamber’s 10th Annual