Marianna Florida Attractions
Marianna, Florida, the County Seat of
Jackson
County in Northwest Florida has some form of recreational activity for
everyone. You can take cavern tours, go cave diving, use the hiking, walking, &
bicycle trails, go canoeing, swimming, boating, fishing and much more.
Florida Caverns located three miles north of Marianna on State Road 166 is one
of only a few state parks with dry (air filled) caves and the only Florida State
Park that offers guided cave tours to the public. The caves have stalactites,
stalagmites, soda straws,
flowstones,
and draperies made from limestone. Florida
Caverns also offers facilities for
camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking,
canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling,
and horseback riding. Stables are available for campers with horses. Cave tours
are given every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The National Association of Cave Divers is holding their 2008 Annual Cave Diving
Workshop in Marianna, Florida on this Memorial Day Weekend of May 23rd thru May
26th. Marianna was chosen because the absolutely gorgeous cave that is fondly
called Jackson Blue is located in Merritt's Mill Pond along with seven other
caves. Edd Sorenson owns & operates Cave Adventurers which is now located on the
beautiful Merritt's Mill Pond. He offers boat rentals, tank rentals & fills, and
gear rentals to divers. This has made diving much more accessible to anyone
interested in doing so in our area. Access their website at
www.caveadventurers.com to see
what Marianna & Northwest Florida has to offer under the water. Cave divers come
from all over the world to dive these world class caves.
Citizens
Lodge near Marianna has a walking trail, lake, children's playground equipment,
and a covered gazebo for picnicking. Florida Caverns has the only hiking trail
that winds through a cave. Marianna and Jackson County have installed sidewalks
down several streets & roads for walking, running, & bicycle enthusiasts.
If canoeing is your bag, you can rent a canoe & ply the Chipola River all day
long. If you had rather boat or
fish, you can put your boat in at several landings just outside of Marianna
and go all the way to the Gulf of Mexico while just enjoying a leisurely day or
pulling in the "big" ones for dinner.
