Deep in the rolling hills of the Florida Panhandle — far from the neon coastlines and tourist-packed theme parks — lies one of Florida’s most surprising natural wonders: a waterfall. And not just any waterfall. Falling Waters State Park, just outside the small town of Chipley, is home to the tallest waterfall in Florida — a 73-foot plunge into a mysterious, cylindrical sinkhole.
This isn’t the Florida you see on postcards. It’s a quieter, older Florida — full of towering longleaf pines, wildflowers, fern-draped ravines, and ancient limestone mysteries. It’s a place where the sound of rushing water replaces the buzz of highways, and where each footstep along the trail feels like an invitation to slow down.
What It Is
Falling Waters State Park is a 171-acre slice of North Florida wilderness located in Washington County. The centerpiece is the namesake waterfall, where water spills from a spring-fed stream and vanishes into a 100-foot deep sinkhole whose bottom has never been fully explored.
But the park is more than just its famous fall. It’s a botanical wonderland, geological oddity, and time capsule all rolled into one. Lush hardwood forests, rare terrestrial orchids, and karst topography — the same limestone foundation that forms caves, springs, and sinkholes across the state — give the area a distinct, almost Appalachian feel.
It’s a hiker’s paradise, a birder’s playground, and a photographer’s dream.
How to Explore It
Start at the Waterfall Trail
This short but dramatic boardwalk trail leads you through a shady ravine, across bubbling streams and limestone ledges, and ends at an observation platform overlooking the waterfall. The sound grows louder with each step until — boom — the cascade appears, spilling into a sheer, mossy shaft in the Earth.
During rainy seasons, the waterfall flows powerfully. In drier months, it may reduce to a trickle, but the sinkhole itself is still a visual marvel.
Extend Your Hike on the Sinkhole Trail
A longer loop winds past several collapsed sinkholes, shaded by magnolias and sweetgum trees. Interpretive signs explain the geology and ecology of the region, including how water carves caverns into limestone over millennia.
Wildflowers and Wildlife
Spring and fall are the best times to see native wildflowers, including blazing star, pitcher plants, and milkweed. The park is home to white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, and dozens of species of birds and butterflies.
Binoculars are recommended — red-headed woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, and migratory warblers are commonly spotted here.
Camping and Stargazing
Falling Waters has a peaceful 24-site campground with electric and water hookups, plus restrooms and showers. It’s a favorite among RV travelers and tent campers alike, with easy access to all trails and picnic areas.
On clear nights, stargazing is sublime. This is one of the darker corners of the Florida Panhandle, free from major light pollution. Bring a blanket, lie back, and trace the Milky Way from your fire ring.
A Short History of a Long-Forgotten Place
The area surrounding Falling Waters was once home to members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Later, settlers arrived and built a gristmill powered by the waterfall’s flow. In the early 1900s, an oil drilling rig was installed at the site, though no oil was found. Its rusting remnants can still be spotted off one of the side trails.
In 1962, the land was acquired by the state and became one of Florida’s early efforts to preserve natural landscapes in the Panhandle.
Good to Know
- Address: 1130 State Park Road, Chipley, FL 32428
- Hours: 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year
- Admission: $5 per vehicle
- Pets: Allowed on leash in most areas (not on boardwalks)
- Accessibility: The waterfall trail is ADA accessible
Florida State Parks Official Page
What’s Nearby
Downtown Chipley
This small-town hub offers Southern charm with antique shops, diners, and murals. Grab lunch at Javier’s Mexican Grill or a hearty breakfast at Judy’s Place.
Florida Caverns State Park
Just 30 minutes away in Marianna, this park features guided cave tours through underground limestone passages — a perfect geological companion to your waterfall visit.
Seacrest Wolf Preserve
Located in Chipley, this nonprofit preserve allows guided interactions with rescued gray and Arctic wolves. Advance reservations required. Seacrest Wolf Preserve
Why It Matters
In a state dominated by beach tourism, waterparks, and urban sprawl, Falling Waters offers something rare: vertical drama and ancient stillness. It’s a reminder that Florida isn’t just flat. It’s textured, layered, and full of secrets.
The park is a haven for solitude and self-reflection, where kids can scramble over rocks instead of staring at screens, and where grownups can trade email pings for the sound of wind through pines. It invites curiosity — not just about nature, but about the Florida that existed long before expressways and outlet malls.
This is the Sunshine Republic at its quietest — and most profound.
Here’s What I’d Do:
Arrive mid-morning, when the mist has burned off but the crowds haven’t arrived. Walk the waterfall trail first, then linger at the sinkhole rim. Take the long loop through the woods. Pack a picnic — there are shaded tables near the trailhead. If you’re staying overnight, bring a telescope or just your eyes. The sky puts on a show here.
I once saw a child shout “WHOA!” so loud at the sight of the waterfall that every bird in the forest scattered. It was honest awe. And isn’t that the whole point?
