By Barbara Lindsoe
Falling Waters State Park is located 3 miles south of Chipley, Florida. It is easily accessible from I-10. Twenty-four full facility camp sights, equipped with electricity, fresh water, picnic tables and grills and a clothesline, are available for campers. The restrooms and showers have recently been updated.
Hikers can walk the beautiful trails in the park and see what Florida looked like 400 years ago when the Spaniards arrived in La Florida. They can take a swim in the lake or lay on the beach. Fishing permits are also available. There are also picnic shelters, and a butterfly garden.
The park lands have an interesting history. There was once a Civil War era gristmill, and later a distillery, on the site. Florida’s first oil well was also once on this land, drilled in 1919, but it was soon capped, due to non-productivity.
The parks special feature is Florida’s highest waterfall. You reach it by following Sink Hole Trail, which is lined with sinkholes covered in pine trees and ferns.
The sinkholes were used by Native Americans to hide, during the Seminole wars. It is estimated that these sinkholes are over 20 million years old.
Falling Waters Sink is a 100 ft. deep, 20 ft. wide pit. A small stream flows into the pit, dropping 73 ft. to the bottom of the sink.
The Mystery: The final destination of the water, is unknown!
Admission:
$5.00 per vehicle, limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 single occupant vehicle.
$2.00 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers
Camping:
$18.00 per night plus tax. Florida residents 65 and older receive a 50% discount. Open year round.
For more information on Falling Waters State Park, visit their website here : https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Falling-Waters
Or visit the Florida VISIT FLORIDA tourism informational site here : VisitFlorida-FallingWaters
If you are looking for another State Park in the southeast, we recommend Silver Springs State Park, Florida, and Cathedral Caverns State Park, Alabama.
Or, start on our Budget Trips page to find all of the state parks we have visited!
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