LOCAL AREA ATTRACTIONS
LOCAL AREA ATTRACTIONS
Things to do
NEAR MARIANNA, FLORIDA
Your Basecamp for North Florida Adventure
Florida Caverns RV Resort sits in Marianna, Florida, a small North Florida town built around springs, caves, and a 19th-century downtown. Within 15 minutes of the resort, guests can tour the only public caves in the state, kayak or dive in spring-fed water clear enough to see straight to the bottom, and walk a historic district of more than 180 buildings. It’s a lot of ground to cover for a town this size, and you’re parked right in the middle of it.
GOOD TO KNOW
Quick Answers About The Area
How far is Florida Caverns State Park from the resort?
About 12 minutes via FL-166 and Highway 90. It’s the only park in Florida with public cave tours.
What springs are near the resort?
Jackson Blue Spring and Shangri-La Spring, both about 12 minutes away, feed Merritt’s Mill Pond, which borders the resort.
Is there kayaking nearby?
Yes. Get Up & Go Kayaking runs guided tours on Merritt’s Mill Pond, 10 minutes from the resort.
What's in Historic Marianna?
Over 180 historic buildings from the 1800s, ghost tours, and the Bellamy Bridge Tour, 8 minutes from the resort.
Can you scuba dive or freedive near the resort?
Yes. Shangri-La Spring on Merritt’s Mill Pond is a known freediving and scuba spot, with gear rentals through Cave Adventurers.
Where can I get a full local itinerary?
Grab our free 3-day and 7-day itineraries at the bottom of this page, sent straight to your inbox.
Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park is home to the only public cave tours in the state, 12 minutes from the resort. Guided tours run every 45 minutes year-round (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas) through limestone rooms of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and draperies.
Above ground, the park backs up to the Chipola River, with fishing, boating, and canoeing for anyone who wants to stay outside a little longer.
Kayaking on Merritt's Mill Pond
Get Up & Go Kayaking runs guided tours on Merritt’s Mill Pond, 10 minutes from the resort, through water clear enough to see straight to the bottom. Routes pass cypress trees, limestone cliffs, and underwater caves, with your guide sharing the aquifer’s history along the way.
Tours include spring stops for swimming and photos, a solid half-day out for couples, families, or anyone who wants to see the pond up close.
Photo from Get Up & Go Kayaking on Facebook
Historic Marianna
Marianna’s historic district, designated a U.S. Historic District in 1997, sits 8 minutes west of the resort. Over 180 buildings line Davis, Park, Jackson, and Wynn Streets, including antebellum homes like the Theophilus West House, the 1840 House, and the Ely-Criglar Mansion.
History buffs can add the Bellamy Bridge Tour, the Spanish Heritage Trail, or an after-dark ghost tour. A self-guided tour map covers all three.
Jackson Blue Spring
Jackson Blue Spring, a First Magnitude Spring, feeds the 202-acre Merritt’s Mill Pond and has been a local swimming spot for over 40 years. The recreation area has a sandy beach, volleyball court, playground, boat docks, and pavilions for rent.
Limited scuba training and cave exploration are available on-site for the more adventurous, 12 minutes from the resort.
Shangri-La Spring
On the west side of Merritt’s Mill Pond, Shangri-La Spring is one of the area’s best-known freediving and scuba spots. Rent gear or get local advice from Cave Adventurers, or check Cave Atlas for dive type and location details.
Jackson County, Florida
Florida Caverns RV Resort sits in Jackson County, an hour west of Tallahassee and an hour north of Panama City. The county’s eleven municipalities cover spring-fed rivers, caves, historic homes, and rolling hills under canopy oaks.
See the full list of local attractions at Visit Jackson County Florida.
Time to Book Your Stay!
From the moment you pull in and catch your first glimpse of Merritt's Mill Pond, you'll know you made the right call. Go ahead and book your stay. Your North Florida escape is waiting!
Plan Your Trip
Get our free 3-day and 7-day itineraries, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and everything else on and off the resort, mapped out for you.