One of the South's Largest Live Oak Trees

The Fairchild Oak has been around since the era of settlers and Seminoles -- about 800 years. Surrounded by sugar plantation ruins safeguarded as archeological sites, the tree stands in Bulow Creek State Park on Florida's east coast, between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.

First Area Adopted Under the Environmental Save Our Coast Program

Henderson Beach State Recreation Area, along the Gulf of Mexico, opened in 1991. In an area that is becoming more resort-like -- Destin, near Fort Walton Beach in the Panhandle -- this park preserves 208 acres of natural sand dunes and the wildlife and vegetation that depend on them.

Focus of One of the Earliest Public Environmental Campaigns

In the early 1930s, Sebring residents rallied to save what would become Highlands Hammock State Park from becoming farmland. In fact, it was one of the first Florida State parks. Like in many of the early state parks (Torreya, Florida Caverns, Ft. Clinch, Gold Head Branch, O'Leno, Hillsborough River and Myakka River), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the facilities there. But Highlands Hammock has the special distinction of being the park to house the Florida CCC Museum.

South Florida's Oldest Building

The Cape Florida Lighthouse in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area was built in 1825, then restored in 1846 after being demolished by Seminoles. You can take a guided tour of the lighthouse, or play, fish, swim or sun along the waters of Key Biscayne, off the coast near Miami. This park's sandy beach ranks among the top 10 in the U.S. This is also one of the most popular parks, with about half a million visitors each year.

Largest and Most Unusual Swamp Forest

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve stretches across an estimated 60 to 100 square miles. (Note: This is actually the largest chunk of land administered by the state park system, but we chose to list Myakka as the largest park because Fakahatchee is actually a preserve.) This drainage channel off the Big Cypress Swamp boasts North America's largest stand of royal palms and largest concentrat ion and variety of wild orchids. Go for a day hike or walk along the boardwalk in this park in the Everglades.

Most Famous

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is so fabulous that we had to list it twice. According to Wayne Stevens of Florida State Parks, "On a given day, you're apt to find royalty, diplomats and heads of state visiting the park."

Most Mystifying

The Santa Fe River flows underground through three miles of O'Leno State Park before resurfacing. A trail takes you to the spot where the river, a Suwannee tributary, disappears. This park, north of Gainesville, is another old park developed by the CCC, which built a wood suspension bridge there. Walk through the hardwood hammock or take your mountain bike out on the trails.

O'Leno is also the site of Florida's first telegraph office, first dry kiln and portions of Florida's first railroad built by the Federal government, Bellamy Road, which stretched from St. Augustine to Pensacola.

Most Memorable

Composer Stephen Foster's song "Old Folks at Home" made the name of the river running through Suwannee River State Park a household phrase. (Too bad he didn't spell the river correctly in his song.) From the park in Live Oak, you can begin the Suwannee River Canoe Trail, going all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. An overlook gives you a view of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers coming together.

Farthest Distance Apart By Car

Now, this is a strange little factoid, but we had to include it. Big Lagoon State Recreation Area near Pensacola is closer to Chicago, Ill., than it is to Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site off Key West, in the same state.

Florida state parks have so much to offer naturalists and sporting enthusiasts. Which one earns the nomination of being the best? You decide.

Written by

Jan McDaniel is a freelance journalist and author.