Shoal River Headwaters State Park opens near DeFuniak Springs

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Florida State Parks has added a new destination to its system with the opening of Shoal River Headwaters State Park, a 2,480-acre preserve just west of DeFuniak Springs.

The park, located at 2239 King Lake Road, features rolling sandy hills, mesic flatwoods and floodplain forests along tributaries of the Shoal River, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection news release. It is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert said the new park reflects the state’s continued focus on conservation while expanding public access to natural areas.

“Shoal River Headwaters State Park highlights our commitment to protecting Florida’s natural treasures while providing new ways for visitors to explore, experience and enjoy the outdoors,” Lambert said in the release, adding that Florida’s park system continues to set a national standard for conservation and resource-based recreation.

The park currently offers hiking and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Florida State Parks officials said they will work with the public to develop long-term recreation and land management plans for the site.

State Rep. Shane Abbott, R-DeFuniak Springs, praised the preservation of the land, calling it an investment in the county’s future.

“This new state park will ensure that future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy the natural Florida that I did growing up,” Abbott said in the release.

Shoal River Headwaters State Park is part of the Upper Shoal River Florida Forever project and was acquired through a partnership that included the Trust for Public Land. The property lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape, where conservation lands help protect habitat, support aquifer recharge and maintain the health of wetlands and waterways, according to the release.

Melissa Hill, senior project manager for the Trust for Public Land, said the park’s creation was the result of collaboration among multiple conservation groups and state partners.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Florida’s newest state park and the communities who will now have a place to gather, explore and connect with nature,” Hill said, noting the land will remain protected to safeguard water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come.