These 12 Spots in Florida Are So Underrated, Some Locals Don’t Even Know They Exist

There Are Many Hidden Gems Right Here in Florida

Think you know every nook and cranny of the Sunshine State? These paths fly so under the radar, even the most seasoned locals are about to discover their own backyard all over again.

Blowing Rocks Preserve

Blowing Rocks Preserve is where Florida gets wild in the best way. It’s home to the biggest Anastasia limestone outcropping on the U.S. Atlantic coast.

When the tide’s high or storms roll in, waves shoot up to 50 feet through the rocks. The place stretches across the island, so you get ocean views on one side and lagoon sunsets on the other.

You can hike trails, snorkel by reefs built by worms (seriously), or observe at least 15,000 sea turtles nesting.

Garden Key in Dry Tortugas

Garden Key feels like another world. Fort Jefferson dominates the island, built with 16 million bricks, making it the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Snorkel around the moat, and you’ll find reefs, colorful fish, maybe even an artifact or two.

Sooty Terns? Over 80,000 of them nest nearby every spring. Camp out for stargazing that’s off the charts, or wander the trails. You’ll probably spot sea turtles or a few migratory birds passing through.

Bulow Plantation Ruins

Bulow Plantation is massive at 4,675 acres, combined with a rich history. The sugar mill, made from coquina, still holds up after all these years.

Audubon crashed here in 1831 while sketching birds. You can hike the trail to Bulow Creek State Park and check out the Fairchild Oak, or paddle the canoe trail through the creek.

The ruins even have a spring house, pretty rare for the time. Look up, and you might see a bald eagle or a manatee cruising by.

A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway

A1A is 72 miles of pure Florida. Two-lane roads, ocean views, and history everywhere you look.

St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the U.S., sits right on the route. Take the free boat ride to Fort Matanzas or hike through 70,000 acres at the Guana Reserve.

You can make a pit stop at Flagler Beach’s 1928 pier or climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse for killer views. It’s not just a drive. It’s an adventure at every turn.

The Old Jail in St. Augustine

The Old Jail looks like a fancy Victorian hotel, but it’s not. Built by the same company that did Alcatraz, it held 72 prisoners, including some in maximum security.

Eight men were hanged here. Guides in costume give you a tour, and yeah, they might “book” you as a prisoner.

You can explore the sheriff’s old living quarters or check out the museum’s weapon collection. Some say it’s haunted, so ghost tours run every night.

Ochlockonee River State Park

Ochlockonee River State Park is a wild mix of forests, wetlands, and history.

You’ve got 543 acres to explore, with trails like Pine Flatwoods and Ochlockonee River offering close-ups of red-cockaded woodpeckers and maybe even a leucistic deer.

The river’s great for kayaking or fishing. Bass and catfish are easy catches. Dead River hides a 1,500-year-old shell midden. Campsites have water and power, so you can stay the night and soak it all in.

Econfina Creek

Econfina Creek feels like an adventure waiting to happen. The springs stay 72 degrees all year, perfect for a swim.

The water’s got that cool blackwater vibe from tannins, but the springs are crystal clear. Kayak the eight-mile paddling trail for some steep runs and hidden spots.

You’ll see otters, deer, and a ridiculous number of birds. Wild azaleas bloom along the Florida National Scenic Trail in spring. And if you fish, bass and bream are always biting.

Matanzas Inlet

Matanzas Inlet is wild and untouched, the last natural inlet on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

The name means “slaughters,” a grim nod to the 1565 Spanish massacre of French colonists. You can hop a free ferry to Fort Matanzas, an old Spanish watchtower that still stands.

The inlet’s a mix of beaches, forests, and estuaries, perfect for spotting dolphins or sea turtles. Kayak the river, cast a line, or just take in 12,000 years of history under your feet.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens

Maclay Gardens is every flower enthusiast’s haven. Over 200 camellia varieties and 100 azalea types light up the place from January to April.

The 1909 Maclay House, once a hunting lodge, opens for tours during this time. There’s even a hidden garden, Maclay’s personal retreat.

Beyond the flowers, you’ve got lakes for kayaking, 6 miles of trails, and rare plants like the Torreya tree.

Juniper Springs

Juniper Springs churns out 13 million gallons of water every day, always at a cool 72°F. The canoe run here is one of the best in the country.

Paddle it early, and you might catch otters playing or spot blonde squirrels darting around.

Fern Hammock Springs steals the show with its bubbling sand boils, nature’s version of a lava lamp. Throw in some epic trails and the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, and you’ve got a Florida gem.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie is a wild mix of history, wildlife, and crazy landscapes. It’s Florida’s first state preserve and a National Natural Landmark.

You’ll see over 270 bird species, plus wild bison and Florida Cracker horses roaming free. The land shifts from savanna to shallow lake, depending on the season.

Hike the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail or watch gators from boardwalks. Don’t miss the Visitor Center. It’s packed with cool exhibits about the park’s plants, animals, and deep history.

Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen feels like a little slice of old Florida. It’s surrounded by Lake Powell, the Gulf of Mexico, and Phillips Inlet.

You’ve got five habitats to explore, from rare dune lakes to quiet beaches. The lodge has beams from South America and granite from Spanish ships, plus those rainbow cottages that just feel timeless.

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

Dade Battlefield feels like stepping into history. The 3,499-foot trail winds through pine flatwoods where you might see gopher tortoises or wild turkeys.

A 250-year-old oak tree still stands, probably watching over the battle back in 1835. The visitor center has a short, powerful film and artifacts from the fight. Every year after Christmas, costumed reenactors bring the skirmish to life.

And if you’re into geocaching, this place turns history into a treasure hunt.

Seabranch Preserve

Seabranch Preserve feels like stepping into old Florida. It’s one of the last untouched ecosystems south of Cape Canaveral, with rare sand pine scrub and baygall habitats.

Hike the trails, and you might spot Florida Scrub Jays or gopher tortoises. Birdwatchers will love the 270-plus species here. History runs deep too, with Native American settlements from 4,000 years ago.