THIS SUMMER, AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES, WHY NOT CHECK OUT AN UNDERGROUND SPOT THAT’S BOUND TO STAY COOL? INSIDE THE CAVE AT THE FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK, THE TEMPERATURE’S ALWAYS ABOUT 65 DEGREES.

IN ADDITION TO GUIDED CAVE TOURS, THE SCENIC 1300 ACRE PARK OFFERS MANY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE CHIPOLA RIVER, LOCAL SPRINGS, AND NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

THE PARK IS HOME TO SEVERAL PLANTS AND ANIMALS VIRTUALLY UNKNOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF FLORIDA, SUCH AS THE MAY APPLE AND THE GRAY BAT. YOU CAN ALSO SEE MARINE FOSSILS THAT DATE TO 38 MILLION YEARS AGO WHEN THE REGION WAS ON THE SEA FLOOR. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT HUMAN BEINGS HAVE UTILIZED THE AREA FOR AT LEAST 5000 YEARS. DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS AND THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION BEGAN WORK ON MANY OF THE STRUCTURES STILL IN USE TODAY, INCLUDING THE GOLF COURSE AND THE VISITOR CENTER.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO BEAT THE HEAT, CONSIDER A VISIT TO THE FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK NEAR MARIANNA, ABOUT AN HOUR’S DRIVE WEST OF TALLAHASSEE.

Courtesy of the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources