DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — Florida officials have announced the opening of Shoal River Headwaters State Park, the state’s newest park, offering public access to more than 2,400 acres of protected land in Northwest Florida.
On Friday, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert was joined by State Representative Shane Abbott and the Trust for Public Land to announce Shoal River Headwaters State Park.
The 2,480-acre park is located just west of DeFuniak Springs and features rolling sandy hills, mesic flatwoods, and floodplain forests along tributaries of the Shoal River.
The park is now open for passive recreation, including hiking and wildlife viewing.
Visitors may see a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, snakes, skunks, and gopher tortoises.
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Shoal River Headwaters State Park lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape, which officials say helps protect natural resources while supporting military readiness.
The property also connects with nearby conservation lands to form wildlife corridors and protect habitats for threatened and endangered plant and animal species.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
Admission is $4 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists. Vehicles are not permitted on trails, and parking is limited to five spaces.
Shoal River Headwaters State Park is located at 2239 King Lake Road in DeFuniak Springs.
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Visitors are encouraged to review the “Know Before You Go” section on the park’s webpage for real-time updates before arriving.
For additional information, the park can be reached at 850-983-5363.
