Katrina Boler, Park Manager
Azalea season arrived early in Palatka with a rolling bloom this year due to the indecisive weather this winter. The blooms are currently around 30% so now is the time to see them as the spring winds and rain will soon do what they do best...move us forward to the next season.
When you plan your visit to Ravine Gardens State Park plan to walk the 1.8-mile loop drive and explore the ravine system. Those up for a challenge can tackle the 2.5-mile Azalea Trail, where hikers scramble over historic stone stairs, shuffle along narrow and sometimes steep paths, and face elevation changes uncommon in Florida. For visitors preferring park access by vehicle, the 1.8-mile loop drive is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Staff is busily planning the upcoming schedule of programs and events. The next one is Bigfoot Bonanza, a light-hearted evening with games, hike, and activities. This special event set for Saturday, April 13 begins at 5 p.m. and culminates with an out-door screening of Harry and the Hendersons at 8:15 p.m. Admission is $5 per person for everyone age six and over or $3 per person for Annual Park Pass Holders or Friends of Ravine Gardens Members and free to children age five and under.
On Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. join us at the large pavilion next to the Civic Center for Slithering Sensations, an educational program on an often misunderstood yet beneficial group of animals making their homes nearby.
Watch this space for more information on what's happening at your state park. You’ll love time spent with us.
