florida state parks

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Find any public beach access on the Florida Pocket Ranger phone app

State park information along with location and amenities to every public beach access TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service has updated its Pocket Ranger app for smartphones to include every public beach access point in Florida, in addition to information about its 171 state parks, and trails. Those who have downloaded Pocket Ranger for state park information now have access to locations and amenities about every public beach access point in Florida. More than 2,000 public coastal access...

Star gazing by the shore at Henderson Beach State Park Aug. 9

Time: 5:30 – 10 p.m. Henderson Beach State Park will host a star gazing program.  Volunteers from the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing of star clusters, planets, and galaxies and answer questions about the night sky. Also, prior to sunset, their telescopes will be equipped for safe viewing of the sun.  All ages are invited to enjoy an evening of star gazing.  The park will close at sunset.  All those attending the star...

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park swimming area closed due to flooding

Update: Swimming area reopened July 19 Swimming in the spring at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is currently closed due to flooding from recent rains. The area is closed from flooding on the Choctawhatchee River backing up to Sandy Creek. Park ranger Aaron Miller hopes the water will recede by early next week if no further rains affect the area. “The water started to go down after the heavy rains, but recent rains north of us flooded the swimming...

Help imperiled bird species survive along our beaches

Be mindful and respect wildlife this coming holiday weekend and every day By Jeff Talbert, Park Services Specialist Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Each year on our beaches, imperiled animals come to nest. Many visitors and residents are aware of our nesting sea turtles and even our endangered beach mice. However, most aren’t aware of our nesting shorebirds. Each year Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County beaches play host to a variety of nesting shorebirds including snowy plovers and least terns....