Florida Underground: The Best Caverns to Visit (Yes, We Have Caves)
- Sam Truett
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
If you ask someone to describe Florida’s landscape, they will say "flat," "sandy," or "swampy."
They are wrong.
Beneath the flat surface of the Sunshine State lies a massive honeycomb of limestone. While most of these Swiss-cheese holes are filled with water (our aquifer), a few rare spots have risen above the water table to create spectacular, air-filled cathedrals of stone.
You don't need to go to Tennessee or Virginia to see stalactites. You just need to know where to look.
Here is your guide to going underground in Florida.
1. Florida Caverns State Park (Marianna)
The Only "Dry" Cave Tour in the State
This is the crown jewel of Florida spelunking. Located in the Panhandle (about an hour west of Tallahassee), this is the only state park where you can take a guided walking tour through a dry cave system.
The Experience:
You descend into the earth and walk through a series of "rooms" filled with stalactites (hanging down), stalagmites (growing up), and soda straws. The cave is lit with dramatic LEDs that highlight the formations.
The "Fascinating" Detail:
Look closely at the walls. You will see chisel marks. This cave wasn't just "found"; it was excavated by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Men working for $1 a day moved tons of rock by hand and wheelbarrow to create the passages you walk through today.
• Temperature: It is a constant 65 degrees year-round. In the summer, it feels like AC. In the winter, it feels warm.
• How to Visit: Reservations are mandatory. The tours sell out weeks in advance. Do not drive all the way to Marianna without a ticket.
• Gear Tip: You must wear closed-toe shoes. No flip-flops allowed underground.
2. Devil’s Den (Williston)
The Prehistoric Swim
While Florida Caverns is for walking, Devil’s Den is for floating. This is technically a "karst window"—a collapsed cave roof that exposes the underground river below.
The Experience:
You walk down a steep wooden staircase into a hole in the ground. Suddenly, the sky disappears, and you are standing on a platform inside a dry cave, looking down at glowing, electric-blue water.
The "Fascinating" Detail:
It’s called "Devil’s Den" because early settlers saw steam rising from the hole on cold mornings (the 72° water meeting the cold air) and thought it was a chimney from Hell. But the real history is deeper: divers have found fossils of mastodons, saber-toothed tigers, and giant sloths at the bottom.
• How to Visit: You must be snorkeling or SCUBA diving. They do not allow "just swimming."
• Pro Tip: It is incredibly photogenic, but the water is chilly if you aren't moving. Rent a wetsuit.
3. Leon Sinks Geological Area (Tallahassee)
The Hiker’s Cave System
If you want to see the geology without buying a ticket or getting wet, head to the Apalachicola National Forest.
The Experience:
The "Sinkhole Trail" is a 3+ mile hike that takes you past a series of massive sinkholes. These aren't just muddy pits; they are deep, blue pools that look like portals to another world.
The "Fascinating" Detail:
These sinks are actually "skylights" into one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The water you see in Hammock Sink eventually flows underground all the way to Wakulla Springs. Cave divers have mapped miles of tunnels connecting these dots.
• Best Time to Go: Winter (right now). The hike is bug-free and pleasant in January/February.
The "Spelunking" Packing List
Going underground requires different gear than the beach.
1. Closed-Toe Shoes with Grip: Caves are damp and slippery. Leave the crocs at home.
2. A Light Jacket: Even if it’s 90°F outside, it’s 65°F inside Florida Caverns.
3. A Fast Lens: If you are taking photos, it is dark down there. Your phone will struggle unless you have "Night Mode" turned on.
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