Located
just southeast of
Chipley, Falling Waters
State Park is home to
Florida's tallest
waterfall
and a wide variety of
other points of
interest.
The
waterfall is created by
the combination of a
small stream and a
fascinating cylindrical
sink. The
water tumbles over the
edge of the sink and
falls more than 70 feet.
A paved
trail and boardwalk
leads visitors down into
the sink for an "up
close" view of
the
waterfall and a chance
to glance over the rail
into the 100+ foot deep
sink. The water
disappears from the
bottom of the sink by
flowing into the mouth
of a large cavern.
Other
caves and sinks are
visible along the
boardwalks and trails at
the park, giving
visitors
a chance to experience
the unusual geology of
Florida. The limestone
that
underlies
parts of the park has
been eroded away over
thousands of years by
running and
dripping
water, creating caves
and sinks.
Falling
Waters State Park also
preserves the site of a
1919 oil drilling
effort. One of the first
commercial attempts to
find oil in Florida, the
well produced natural
gas, but the wildcatters
were not able to find
oil in commercial
quantities.
Over the
years, Falling Waters
Hill has been the scene
of a number of other
unique
industries. A water mill
operated here during the
years before the Civil
War and in later
years a
legal distillery was
operated near the
waterfall.
In
addition to its historic
and natural features,
Falling Waters State
Park also offers picnic
facilities, a seasonal
butterfly garden, hiking
trails, a swimming lake
and more.
The park is located
three miles south of
Chipley.
If you are coming from
Interstate 10, please
leave the interstate at
the Chipley Exit, turn
south on State Highway
77 and look for the sign
and left turn onto State
Park Road,
which leads to Falling
Waters.
From U.S. 90 in downtown
Chipley, turn south on
State Highway 77 and
pass
Interstate 10 then look
for the sign directing
you to turn left onto
State Park Road.
Falling Waters State
Park is open from 8 a.m.
until sundown, year
round.
One note, the waterfall
flow changes with the
seasons and ranges from
a raging torrent to
little more than a
trickle. If you are
making a trip
specifically to see the
falls, you might call
the park at (850)
638-6130 to make sure it
is running.
