Falling Waters State Park is located 3 miles south of Chipley. It was established in 1962 and is 171 acres in Washington County. The park contains a 73-foot waterfall, the highest in the state of Florida. The hours are 8am to sundown, 365 days a year. With it being only a few miles south of I-10, the park provides travelers with a quiet, serene stop on your journey. You can see beautiful native and migrating butterflies in the butterfly garden, take a dip in the lake, or have a picnic with family or friends. Hikers can experience the verdant, gently sloping landscape of North Florida. Park Rangers host interpretive programs in the amphitheater and they have a full facility campsite. The more it rains the fuller and stronger the waterfall flows.
The park serves many purposes but the primary function is to protect a series of sinkholes, particularly the chimney sinkhole that Florida’s highest waterfall cascades into before disappearing into the park’s network of terrestrial caves. The park also highlights the historical legacy of the region due to its ideal location and resources while providing resource-based recreation and preserving the unique natural features.
You can go hiking(3 short nature trails), geo-seeking(all you need is your hand-held GPS device), fishing(2 acre lake, just take fishing gear and a Florida Freshwater License), swimming(white sand beach and a place to shower to rinse off afterward), picnicking(they have picnic tables next to the bathrooms), camping(on one of the highest hills in Florida), bird watching(over 100 birds currently listed as viewed in the park), family reunions(2 pavilions can be reserved),wildlife viewing(you may see deer, fox, squirrels, lizards, turtles, and snakes), and a playground.
Domestic pets are permitted in designated day-use areas in most Florida State Parks. Pets must be kept on a hand held lease 6 feet or shorter at all times and be well-behaved. As always please remember to put your trash in the provided cans and also pick up after your pets.It is just $5 a car to get in and they do except credit cards.
Call 850-638-6130 for more information and availability.
