Here are 12 outlandish Florida rock formations worth exploring, often requiring hikes or rough driving to access:
1. Blowing Rocks Preserve
- Location: Jupiter Island
- Formation: The preserve features a dramatic rocky shoreline with sea caves and bluffs, where waves can blast water up to 50 feet during high tide.
- Access: Hike along the beach and explore the tidal pools and limestone formations.
2. Anastasia State Park
- Location: St. Augustine
- Formation: Known for its coquina rock formations, which are unique to this area.
- Access: Short walks from the parking area lead to scenic views of the rock formations along the beach.
3. Florida Caverns State Park
- Location: Marianna
- Formation: Offers limestone caves and bluffs along the Chipola River.
- Access: Hike the Cavern Trail System, which includes a cave hike through Tunnel Cave.
4. Tate’s Hell State Forest
- Location: Carrabelle
- Formation: Features high bluffs overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
- Access: Hike the High Bluffs Coastal Nature Trail for scenic views of the bluffs and coastal pine forests.
5. Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve
- Location: Bristol
- Formation: Known for steep bluffs and ravines along the Apalachicola River.
- Access: Hike the Garden of Eden Trail for a rugged experience.
6. Torreya State Park
- Location: Bristol
- Formation: Offers scenic bluffs and ravines with unique geological formations.
- Access: Hike the Torreya Hiking Trail for extensive views of the bluffs.
7. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- Location: Micanopy
- Formation: Features a unique limestone sinkhole known as the Alachua Sink.
- Access: Hike through the prairie to reach the sinkhole area.
8. Dames Caves and Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail
- Location: Withlacoochee State Forest
- Formation: Includes natural caves and sinkholes.
- Access: Hike the 4-mile loop trail to explore these geological formations.
9. Three Sisters Springs
- Location: Crystal River
- Formation: Features a limestone spring surrounded by unique rock formations.
- Access: Kayak or swim to the spring to see the formations up close.
10. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
- Location: Gainesville
- Formation: A massive sinkhole with a staircase leading down to the bottom.
- Access: Hike down into the sinkhole to explore the unique formations.
11. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- Location: Fort White
- Formation: Features limestone formations along the Ichetucknee River.
- Access: Kayak or tube down the river to see the formations.
12. Falling Waters State Park
- Location: Chipley
- Formation: Home to the highest waterfall in Florida, surrounded by limestone formations.
- Access: Short hike to the waterfall area.
These rock formations showcase Florida’s diverse geological landscape, from coastal bluffs to inland caves and springs.
SOURCES
- https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/blowing-rocks-preserve/
- https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Visit%20Florida%20Florida%20Hiking%20Trails%20brochure.pdf
- https://floridahikes.com/blowingrocks/
- https://floridatrail.org/the-florida-trail-by-region/