7 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Florida You Should Visit
Florida is a scenically-rich state with varying landscapes, from beaches to forests and many picturesque waterfalls. These are the most beautiful waterfalls in the state to enjoy year-round in the mild Floridian weather.
Falling Creek Falls, Lake City
Falling Creek Falls is a water cascade made in a joint venture between the Suwannee River Water Management and District and Columbia County. Its park setting offers myriad recreational activities, with a return to the beautiful falls for a scenic picnic. One will find all the comforts of spending days-worth in nature, with restrooms, a playground, and three picnic pavilions. For the relentless sight-seekers, there's a historical building to discover, while a beautiful elevated 0.6-mile loop boardwalk leads straight to the waterfalls themselves for an atmospheric stroll with a grand finale.
The falls are set off the I-10 neighboring Camp Branch on the Suwannee River, the home of the first settlers of the area. It is a lesser visited cascade in the state that is lovely even during the dry season. Suwannee River is a must-visit natural Florida destination to enjoy the refreshing beauty of peaceful tranquility. Despite the falls' smaller size, the unique coke cola color of the waters exudes an air of mystery in the scenically surrounding nature and limestone backdrop.
Falling Waters State Park, Chipley
Florida's largest waterfall drops scenically within the 171-acre Falling Waters State Park in Florida's Panhandle. The dramatic spectacle is easily accessible via a five-minute drive out of Chipley. The 73-feet high natural cascade is considered one of the prettiest in Florida. It was formed out of the largest and deepest sinkholes in the area. The park itself features many protected sinkholes surrounded by sky-reaching trees and lush ferns to explore around.
The fall plunges into 100 feet deep by 20 feet wide sinkhole, from which the waters seep into a large underground cave. It is best to visit the cascade after rain for the fullest flow and rainbow-reflecting droplets. One can get close and personal to the spectacle and feel the mist in the face or view the falls from a platform set further away. The state park allows overnight stays at the campground with 24 sites. A gorgeous white sand beach bounds the nearby large lake for fishing, swimming, and relaxation.
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
Rainbow Springs is located near Dunnellon just off US 41 as another artificial waterfall whose beauty has attracted visitors since the '30s. Together with the phosphate pits, the phenomenon is a remnant of the area's mining industry. The park is a hotspot in Florida that hosts weddings and offers many outdoor pursuits for the active, including snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and tubing. There are also many easy trails for relaxed hikes over some 1,500 acres of land. The incredible headspring generates up to 600 million gallons of water per day.
There's the two-mile scenic trail to the Rainbow Springs proper that is beloved by locals and tourists alike as a leisurely-active way to diversify a day with stunning sights. The brilliant-blue spring is one of the state's largest and dates back 10,000 years. It is comprised of many small vents that pump 72-degree water from the ground year-round. With a depth between 5 and 18 feet, one can swim, snorkel, canoe, and kayak, as well as spot turtles that call the place home.
Steinhatchee Falls, Steinhatchee
The "baby waterfall" is definitely worth a visit within the 1,766-acre park known for some of Florida's most pristine natural landscapes. The refreshing mix of hardwood forest calls nature enthusiasts with wildlife sightings, including the gopher tortoise, wild hog, deer, and turkey. Despite its mere drop, Steinhatchee Falls is the Sunshine State's widest, providing ample room to explore, take pictures, and have a picnic by the waters in solitude.
The few feet-tall safe falls comprise a popular family getaway, together with the endless list of scenic pursuits in the surrounding nature to enjoy on a day trip. One will find a popular 3-mile trail in the vicinity, along with camping, fishing, and canoeing opportunities in the area. The lovely falls are located in a spot that holds geological and historical significance to the state.
The Devil's Millhopper, Gainesville
The Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is a stunning national natural landmark in the state. The falls located within the park is just one of Florida's many sinkholes. It presents itself with 120 feet depth that several mini-falls trickle into via the steep walls. One will find a rainforest-like atmosphere with the landscape, falls, and sinkholes galvanizing a favorable environment for the wide varieties of plants that grow in the area.
The geological park is one of the country's most unique national parks located in the heart of Gainesville, with tens of thousands of visitors each year. The historic area is renowned for rock layers built-up over time and dotted with countless sinkholes. There are numerous stunning hiking trails strewn with beautiful flora and fauna to explore for days. The breathtaking waterfall is a perfect place to have a picnic amidst the mist with calming, gurgling sounds.
Torreya State Park/Weeping Ridge Trail- Bristol (Panhandle)
The park spreads over a unique Floridian highland in an otherwise flat-terrain Sunshine State. The waterfall sits 3,000 feet above sea level and is easily reachable via a hike along the Weeping Ridge Trail. There's also an option to backpack with camping in the area for a small fee and make the outdoors fun last for days. Nature lovers rejoice in sighting wildlife with diverse species, many of which are native and unique to the area, found nowhere else in the state. Late spring is the optimal time to visit the park for sights and activities in the mild weather, plus a quintessential opportunity to catch the breathtaking spectacle of blooming magnolias.
Torreya State Park dates back to the 1930s as one of the state's oldest, with interesting botany and geology, as well as reminders of the Civil War. There's also a plantation, Gregory House from 1849, and various waterways. The rugged park features steep inclines for conquering to the delight of the active. The 25-feet high beautiful waterfall is wonderful for scenic picnicking, pictures, or a refreshing pit-stop in-between all of the adventurous explorations in the area. The falls are reachable right from the car park via a hiking path through hardwood forest, with a campground right at a junction on the trail. Although water volume depends on the season, the eroded rock is evidence of its mighty hand. The park is set 13 miles north of Bristol in the Florida Panhandle, with almost 22 square miles calling serious hikers for the steep and some of Florida's most challenging hiking trails.
Waterfalls at Morikami Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach
The stunning waterfall in Florida's Delray Beach is entirely man-made. The beautifully delicate cascade falls within complimentary-scenic gardens. The grounds come with the Morikami Gardens and Museum, full of Japanese culture, history, and nature in one. The Japanese name for the gardens, "Roji-en" means "Garden of the Drops of Dew," while the museum comes with art exhibits and historical collections. The gorgeous site inspired by actual gardens in Japan is comprised of six gardens with many waterfalls through all.
Each garden is a delight to visit, featuring an exquisite atmosphere, design, and landscape with unforgettable flora and fauna. There are pine forests, bamboo groves, cascading waterfalls, and peaceful lake shorelines to choose from for a perfectly relaxing stroll or sit. The setting allows total immersion into nature for the most relaxing getaway where every second is pleasing to all senses. The Asian-style gardens are unmatched anywhere in the United States and transport one right to the other continent. Many artists come over to get inspired and create, while wellness seekers flee for mindfulness and meditation.
Florida boasts many scenic parks with waterfalls and adventures for a perfectly-refreshing getaway in the state. One will surely have the time of their life chasing these beautiful waterfalls in Florida.
