You don’t have to go far to find fun and family-friendly things to do in Florida. State parks are a great place to spend time with your big family. Florida parks offer plenty of activities, nature trails, and beautiful locations. Florida has 175 state parks to explore, we found 15 with cabins that sleep big families of six. Only Rock Springs Run State Reserve sleeps more than six.
You can book cabins at Reserve.FloridaStateParks.org. Before you book, a few things to know:
- Cabins can be booked 11 months out and often sell out quickly.
- All state park cabins now require two-night minimums.
- Most cabins lack electronics – no phones, TV, or WiFi.
- Some cabins require you to bring bed linens, towels, and cooking gear.
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida
Bahia Honda State Park is located in the Florida Keys on the lower end of the island chain. This park features gorgeous white sand beaches with clear blue water and a tropical landscape. In 1992, the beach made Dr. Beach’s famous “Best Beaches” list. The beach can be divided into three beaches, Calusa, Sandspur, and Loggerhead. Bring your snorkel gear, you might see rays, sea turtles, and many different types of fish.
- There are three duplex cabins overlooking the bay, each with a full kitchen, pots and pans, cooking utensils, and linens. Cabins have central heating and cooling, two bedrooms, a living room with a futon, a kitchen, a dining room, a full bath, and a porch, in addition to a wood deck on ground level with a picnic table and barbecue. Two of the cabins can sleep families of six.
Cayo Costa State Park, Florida
Cayo Costa State Park is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico and is only accessible by boat. This island park features 6 miles of beautiful beaches, a variety of wildlife, and a historic lighthouse. Cayo Costa State Park is a good destination for families with young children and older travelers. The beaches at the park are calm and shallow and great for swimming. Cayo Costa State Park has a small number of activities, but it’s a great place to relax. Plan an evening stargazing as the lack of artificial lights makes great conditions for viewing the stars.
- Rustic one-room cabins accommodate families of up to six with three sets of bunk beds. The cabins have no electricity or water but outdoor grills are provided for cooking.
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
Grayton Beach State Park offers 2000 acres to explore including a shoreline, Western Lake, tidal lakes, and freshwater ponds. This park has a variety of outdoor activities, including beautiful beaches for swimming and sunbathing, and paths for hiking and biking. Grayton Beach State Park is a good destination for families with small children and older travelers due to the beaches having a gentle slope and being shallow enough for children to wade in. Dr. Beach ranked the beach at the top spot of the Top 10 Beach List in 2020. Grayton Beach State Park also hosts a number of special events throughout the year.
- Grayton Beach cabins are a mile away from the Gulf of Mexico and nestled in the pine woods. Grayton Beach State Park offers 30 duplex cabins, several sleep six with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Each cabin has a gas fireplace, central heating and cooling, a kitchen with basic cooking and dining tools, a screened-in porch, and an outdoor grill.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is located in the Florida Keys. This park is known for its beautiful beaches and lush tropical forest. The forest at the park is home to a variety of wildlife, and there are many nature trails that visitors can explore. Visitors can enjoy paved and unpaved biking, equestrian, and hiking trails along the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Canoeing, kayaking, and boating are all excellent ways to experience the park. Paid two-hour tour boat rides are available to fully explore the Loxahatchee River.
- Eleven cabins are positioned near the Loxahatchee River. All cabins are furnished, supplied with bed and bath linens, and include dinnerware and cutlery. Two of the cabins sleep families of up to six with two queens beds and a sofa sleeper in the living area. Amenities include a microwave, a full refrigerator, and a stove.
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Florida
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park is located in the Florida panhandle. This park features a beautiful spring and several trails. Over 12000 feet of underwater passageways in the park’s extensive aquatic cave system are available for scuba diving after registering at the ranger station.
- Five cabins on stilts are situated within the tree canopy along the river at the south entrance to the park. Each cabin features two bedrooms with a total of three beds as well as a pull-out couch to sleep six. Amenities include one bathroom, a kitchen/dining/living room combination, and an electric fireplace.
Lake Louisa State Park, Florida
A short 30-minute drive from Orlando, Lake Louisa State Park has 13 lakes connected by the Palatlakaha River including the park’s namesake. Explore the park’s 4500 acres by biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Kayak, canoe, SUP, and bike rentals are available. Many guided tours are available to fill your trip itinerary.
- The 20 cabins at Lake Louisa State Park look out on Dixie Lake. Cabins accommodate up to six people and feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen (with appliances), and a dining/living room. Each cabin has central heating/air conditioning, a gas fireplace, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, linens, towels, and picnic tables, in addition to rocking chairs on the porch.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Florida
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is located in northwest Florida with sandhills, marshes, ravines, and lakes. Enjoy hiking and wildlife along the park’s nature trails and a 5.44-mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Spend the day swimming for fishing in Little Lake Johnson.
- Built in the 1950s, the five available block cabins can sleep up to 6 people. The cabins have a full-size bed, a set of bunk beds, and a two-person futon/couch. The cabins have a separate bedroom, a living room/dining room, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a screened porch.
Myakka River State Park, Florida
Myakka River State Park is located in south Florida with over 37000 acres. Centered around the Myakka River, the park has 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, pinelands, and hammocks. To view the wildlife, including alligators, you can paddle the waterways of the river and Upper and Lower Myakka Lakes in canoes or kayaks or book a boat tour on the Upper Myakka Lake.
- Cabins are available to sleep six. Basic amenities include indoor plumbing, a stove and oven, a microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot, and heater/air conditioner. Basic kitchen utensils are provided.
Rock Springs Run State Preserve, Florida
Rock Springs Run State Preserve is located in north Florida near the Gulf Coast. The reserve has 17 miles of trails to hike, bike, or horseback ride. Along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River, you’ll find sand pine scrub, swamps, pine flatwoods, and pristine shoreline.
- Four-bedroom Hammock House on the Wekiva River is a gorgeous resort rental cabin. Amenities include four bathrooms, kitchen, dining area, billiards room, stone fireplace, huge decks, and two canoes available to guests.
Silver Springs State Park, Florida
Silver Springs State Park is located in Central Florida, near Ocala. The largest and last uninhabited, Silver Springs is Florida’s best-known spring. Explore the gorgeous blue springs in the 4000-acre state park. Hike one of the park’s five trails. Book a glass bottom boat tour to view the underwater life in Silver Springs. Visit Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center.
- Vacation cabins accommodate up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, and one bath. Amenities include a stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace, central cooling and heating, large screened porch, dishes, cookware, silverware, linen, towels, picnic tables and rockers on the porch.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, Florida
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is home to a museum honoring American composer Stephen Foster. Visit Craft Square to learn about quilting, blacksmithing, and stain glass making. Explore the 800-acre park by hiking or biking the trails. Enjoy the Suwanee river by canoeing or kayaking.
- Located along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, each of the five riverside cabins accommodate up to six people. These spacious two-bedroom cabins have heating and cooling, a gas fireplace, screened porch, and a kitchenette.
Suwannee River State Park, Florida
Suwannee River State Park is located in Central Florida. Rent canoes or kayaks to explore the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers. Hike one of the six nature trails. Explore the 1800 acres of nature with features such as streams, springs, and sinks. Spend the day swimming or enjoy some time at the playground.
- Located along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, each of the five riverside cabins accommodates up to six people. These spacious two-bedroom cabins have heating and cooling, an electric fireplace, screened porch, and a kitchenette. They are fully equipped with linens and kitchen utensils.
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located on the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida. The 2716 acre park has 35-foot high sand dunes, forests, and plenty of wildlife. Spend a day on the park’s sandy white beaches swimming, shell hunting, or trying to see sea turtles. Hike one of the park’s three trails. Relax and enjoy time fishing.
- Eight cabins sleep a maximum of seven people each. Each cabin has an upstairs loft containing 2 queen-sized beds, a fold-out futon sofa, and a day bed. The kitchen contains a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, basic dishes, pots and pans, silverware, and a dining table. Cabins have central heat and air, as well as a wood-burning fireplace
Topsail Hill Preserve, Florida
Topsail Hill Preserve is located in Northwest Florida and is named for its dunes which look like ship’s sails. The 1600-acre park has 3.2 miles of beaches surrounded by over 24-foot tall dunes. Explore three coastal dune lakes, 15 miles of trails, wetlands, and old-growth pine forests.
- The park has 16 cabins accommodating up to six people with two bedrooms and two baths. One bedroom has a queen-size bed, one bedroom has two twin beds. There is a queen-size pull-out sofa in the living area. Amenities include a kitchen, a living/dining area, a screened porch, picnic table, and grill.
Torreya State Park, Florida
Torreya State Park is located in South Florida. The 14000-acre park has 30 miles of trails, as well as canoeing and kayaking on the river. There are also many beautiful trees in the park, including red cedars and rare Torreya trees which only grow in the park. Enjoy the park’s high bluffs and steep ravines nicknamed the “Mountains of Florida”.
- The Cracker Cabin accommodates six people and features a queen-size bed and four bunks, air conditioning/heating, a table, chairs, and a deck.
Bonus #1 – Blue Spring State Park, Florida
Blue Spring State Park covers 2600 acres and is a designated Manatee Refuge. This park is home to one of the clearest springs in Florida. The spring is one of the oldest in the state and flows year-round. You too can enjoy the clear, 73-degree water by swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. However, swimming with the manatees is not permitted. There are also trails and a playground for kids to explore and enjoy. Blue Spring State Park also hosts a number of special events each year.
- Six two-bedroom cabins are available, however, they only have permanent bedding for four. Cots are allowed to sleep the additional two people.
Bonus #2 – Fanning Springs State Park, Florida
Fanning Springs, a second-magnitude spring, produces 65 million gallons of water daily. the 72-degree water makes it a perfect place to swim on hot Florida days.
- Spacious two-bedroom cabins are available. Although they accommodate six people, they only have three beds consisting of one double and two twins. The park allows cots to accommodate the two additional people.
Check out more big family friendly state park cabins by state.