ravine state gardens

I love the Ravine Gardens. Beautiful for weddings. Great place to be outdoors for a walk. Natural, green, spacious, and peaceful.

It happened that it was March that we finally had a chance to get to this park. We had a beautiful warm day to drive over from St. Augustine. The Azalea Festival was coming up on the weekend, but we found the park the week before to be just about empty and very beautiful. The geography is unusual for Florida - I think it is called a "sinkhole". There are lovely trails, a beautiful pond and stone work probably done by the CCC in the 1930's and still so beautiful. The azaleas were beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! You can get a map to the park by going into the large building at the parking lot. It was honor system for paying the $5.00 entrance fee since nobody was at the gate collecting. You can park and walk the whole park - a healthy walk of probably 2 miles all the way around. You can also drive and park and get out at places of interest.

A small park, but beautiful gardens, biking and hiking trails and blooms year round. They are known for the azalea festival . . . but a lovely place to visit any time of the year. $5.00 to get in . . .bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the natural vegetation!

While this park is particularly noted for azaleas, there is a multitude of plant life and a spring fed stream which at one time served as Palatka's water supply. There is a paved loop drive which can be enjoyed by auto or bicycle or walking, in addition to several walking trails.There are extensive floral plantings at the top of the ravine. Azaleas are starting to bloom now. (March) There is a fee, or use your state park pass.

Went to a recent wedding here and it was fabulous. The grounds are kept well, the scenery is beautiful and there's wildlife to be seen. It's very peaceful so if you need to go off by yourself and think, this is the place. The setting for the wedding made it so special, we really enjoyed it. They also have a room to rent inside the facility and it worked out well. Plan on going back to walk the trails.

I took the last good day we had to re-explore Ravine Gardens State Park. To avoid the cold wind, I headed for the Spring Trail at the bottom of the ravine. Sheltered from the worst of the weather and the best of the sunshine, I found Spring. Azaleas of every clan and color- red, white, pink and purple are beginning to erupt.The occasional red bud peeks from the underbrush and there was an entire hillside carpeted with shrimp plants in bloom. A huge orange tree hung heavy with softball-sized fruit, just out of reach. It doesn't take much to see why this location has attracted human habitation since prehistory. The Agua Dulce culture were found living in and near the ravine when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. Drawn by the cold clear water flowing from two major springs, they could also shelter themselves from the chill of blustery late-winter weather as I have today.The park is not an obvious draw. A picturesque but otherwise unremarkable drive skirts the rim, but you can't really appreciate the place unless you stop, get out and walk. By April, the Azalea Trail just below the road will live up to its name, smothering the hiker in huge forests of color. Wooden suspension bridges will allow the summer hiker to explore the wet world of the ravine bottom without getting their feet wet. The only obvious historical draw is at the eastern end of the park, where Palatka's original water works stands. Again, it's pretty clear why the city's first resident drew their drinking water from here, rather than from the nearby St. Johns River. Stand close and you can wave to the passengers on board Amtraks Silver Meteor and Silver Streak pass by three times a day.The real attraction here is the plants that fill this natural theater. Banana trees mingle with the azalea understory while bearded oaks arch gracefully over the meandering creek. Cypress knees arise from the muddy bottom land and bamboo as big around as your forearm line parts of the ridge. The diversity of botanical life is truly astounding. Ravine Gardens is the kind of place one needs to slow down to appreciate. I look forward to watching the seasons progress across the landscape.

Something for everyone, whether you're into rigorous trails or quiet strolls. Late winter/early spring is peak blooming season and the park is pet friendly.

Ravine State Gardens is a nice diversion when you want someplace simple to visit. It is a different look at a Florida from long ago. It is especially pretty when the azaleas are in bloom (Late February /March depending on the weather.)There are various hiking trails to choose from. There are also some picnic tables for those that brought a lunch. Arrive early (they open at 8) to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your walk. You can also drive in certain areas but I would not think it would be as enjoyable.

If you are in the area, make sure to stop and visit the gardens. There is a ton of walking/ hiking trails. There is a lot of steps and climbing. If you are not capable of climbing stairs, there is a 1.8 mile road that goes the entire way around the ravines that you can drive with overlook spots spaced around it. There are picnic tables and bench's scattered around as well. $5 dollar fee per car up to 8 people. Open 365 days of the year starting at 8 am.

We drove around the park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Be sure to visit in the spring during when the azaleas are in bloom.

You can either drive or walk the 1.8 mile trail. We drove but stopped every now and then to look. Did go on the suspension bridge, kind of scary tho for me!!

Second time I've been to Palatka. I'm sure there are some nice areas, but we still haven't found them. I really have never said that about anywhere before. The Gardens are the only reason to come to Palatka. They are lovely and good for a drive or a walk (or jog). Beware of rocky footings, no handrails and jagged stairs off the paved road. I guess the state doesn't worry about liability.

It is a really nice place it has trails for you to walk and bridge to go over. Just really nice to go for a walk and enjoy all the beautiful flowers.

The Ravine Gardens State Park is our hidden jewel of Florida. . It is a rare sinkhole that has a 1.8 mile paved driving and walking path around it. It also has many walking paths off the roads and a hanging suspension bridge. Many joggers, walkers, bicyclists, and carloads of people enjoy the beautiful trees, flowers. and wildlife, and there are many picnic areas. It is especially beautiful when the azaleas bloom in February and March. If you're fortunate, you may find a golf ball, since the golf course is right beside it. The Ravine Gardens has been the setting of many a wedding and wedding reception, and has meeting rooms for rent.It costs $2 for someone to walk in, $3.50 for a car, and a yearly pass for a family is around $125.

My husband and I visited this Garden and state park area on a Sunday afternoon, in September. While the azaleas were past blooming, there were lovely, maintained gardens, and lots of trails, and paths to hike, or just spend time enjoying. The various trails have benches and picnic table along the way, making a rest, or lunch ( or water break to refresh), a great option.We enjoyed learning about Teddy Roosevelt's connection to land preservation here.For less active visitors, there is a 1 1/2 mile drive through the property . It is a one way drive, so no worry about pulling over to allow others to get by you. But you can pull off the road into spacious parking spots, and check out the picture spots,scenic views, and entrance to several trails there too. Or, remain in the car, and simply drive through and appreciate the scenery, sounds, and color. There are information boards, along this drive, too, explaining topography, history and interesting facts about the Native American Indians, that once lived here. Pets are welcomed. Children have several play ground and open field areas to spend time. There is also a Par 4 course, along the driving route...with parking ? Pavilions and Gazebos dot the grounds. Reserving the larger one may be necessary, in busy months with school field trips or special events happening there. A large building, at one end of the parking lot, has office and meeting rooms , ( ie- the Rotary Club meets there); bathrooms, maps of the trails that include length of trails and intensity of them. There is a deck off the back, and snack machines, restrooms, and a wall of photos and stories of famous folks who have a connection to this area of Florida.They offer a lovely area for outdoor weddings, too. Check with them for info on pricing, catering, etc. There is a other building on the property that houses the Garden Club. I have no information on how active it is, hours, etc. but imagine someone in their main office could enlighten you on that.Parking is $5.00. Well worth it.