Florida State Caverns sustained sever damage when Hurricane Michael came through as a category 5 hurricane on October 10, 2018. Approximately 90% of the trees of the park’s thick forest fell. The day after the hurricane, park staff from around the state arrived to help with chainsaw’s and heavy equipment. The community has rallied around the State Cavern’s and volunteers continue to help clean up. Assistant Park Manager, Billy Bailey, has said that he has noticed changes to the wildlife and there has been changes to the forest canopy and other ecological shifts have begun to attract new species. He has seen a northern harrier, a rare barn owl, and has noticed more wading birds, turkeys, and fox squirrels. Florida Caverns located at 3345 Caverns Road in Marianna is the only State Park in Florida where visitors can take a guided tour through a large cave system and see some spectacular examples of cave formations including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstone.
They are planning to re-open with limited use Monday, July 1, 2019. Flashlight cave tours will be available from 9am to 4pm. Park fees will apply. For more information please contact Florida Caverns State Park at (850) 482-1228.