Florida is expanding its pilot program requiring reservations for day-use admission at select state parks in an effort to reduce long lines of cars outside park gates that form during summer months when a park reaches capacity.
In addition to Wekiwa Springs State Park, which initiated a pilot program last year, day-use reservations will also be required this year at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon and Henderson Beach State Park in Destin.
Reservations may be booked up to 60 days in advance on the Florida State Parks reservations site, reserve.floridastateparks.org. Day visitors will have to pay their $6 park admission online when they make the reservation.
“If a specific day reaches full capacity, additional reservations will become available as visitors leave the park,” says Nikki Clifton, deputy press secretary for the the state Department of Environmental Protection. “We also offer a ‘Notify Me!’ feature on the reservation page, which sends email notifications when new availability opens up.”
All day-use visitors, including annual passholders, must secure an online day-use reservation prior to arrival at the affected parks.
Registered campers, pedestrians and bicyclists do not need to reserve a day-use pass, although pedestrians and bicyclists must still pay an admission fee of $2 per person at the gate. Campers are exempt from day-use fees on the dates of their campground reservations.
The day-use entry fee is refundable if the reservation is canceled, thus freeing up a parking spot. No-shows are non-refundable.
Day-visitor reservations are required at these state parks:
Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka
Reservations are now required for day-use entry to Wekiwa Springs State Park, which implemented its day-use reservation system in 2025. Park capacity is 330 vehicles. Campers do not need a day-use pass. All others can purchase their entry fee online at reserve.floridastateparks.org. Day-use fee: $6 per vehicle. Phone: 407-553-4348. Address: 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka FL 32712. Read more here.
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
Rainbow Springs State Park added the day-use reservation requirements in April 2026. Rainbow Springs has limited capacity of 250 vehicles as its lot undergoes renovations. While campers do not need a day-use pass, early check-in is not available. Check-in for camping is 3 p.m. or later on your day of arrival. All others must purchase day-use fee online at reserve.floridastateparks.org. Day-use fee: $5 per vehicle. Phone: 352-465-8555. Address: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon FL 34432. Read more about the Rainbow River.
Henderson Beach State Park, Destin
Due to overwhelming crowds on prime beach days, Henderson Beach State Park implemented a day-use reservation program on May 15, 2026. Once capacity of 233 vehicles is reached, the park will temporarily close until there are openings, which will be posted online. While campers do not need a day-use pass, it’s advisable to avoid arriving earlier than normal check-in at 3 p.m. Everybody else can purchase their entry pass online at reserve.floridastateparks.org. Day-use fee: $6. Phone: 850-837-7550. Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin FL 32541. Read more about Henderson Beach.
How to Register & Pay
- Visit the Portal: Go to the Florida State Parks Reservation Website and select “Day-Use Passes”.
- Select Your Park: Choose the specific park you plan to visit.
- Log In/Create Account: Sign in or create an account to proceed to the checkout cart.
- Pay Online: There is no additional fee to make a reservation, but regular park admission fees will be collected at checkout.
- Annual Passholders: Select “Annual Passholder” as your payment option online, but you must present your physical pass along with your digital or printed reservation receipt at the gate.
These parks fill up fast but don’t require reservations (yet)
You may purchase a day-use admission fee online for any state park, but it’s a requirement to enter Wekiwa Springs, Rainbow Springs or Henderson Beach.
- Capacity Limits: Many parks fill to capacity, particularly on weekends and holidays. If you arrive without a reservation at a busy park, you may be turned away.
- Receipts Required: You must bring your printed or digital confirmation email/receipt with you to the park.
- Refunds: If you are turned away due to capacity issues on a pre-purchased day pass, you can request a full refund by calling 1-800-326-3521.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park has high visitation on weekends and holidays during the summer. When the park reaches capacity, the park will temporarily close to all visitors, including those with rental reservations (tubes or kayaks) or digital day-passes. Visitors are not permitted to park and wait in their vehicles on the side of the road, adjacent roads or in the park entrance area for the park to reopen. Local law enforcement will issue citations if violations of this are witnessed. Day-Use Fee: $6 per vehicle. Phone: 386-497-4690. Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White FL 32038. Read more about why you should visit Ichetucknee Springs.
Cape Florida State Park is extremely busy on weekends and holidays. arrive early as the park will close once capacity is reached and will not reopen for at least two hours. When the park is closed due to capacity, there will be no entry to vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists. Due to high weekend visitation, advance shelter rentals and new annual passes must be done Monday through Friday at the ranger station entrance. Day-Use Fee: $8 per vehicle. Phone: 786-582-2673. Address: 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne FL 33149. Read more about why you should visit Cape Florida State Park.
Grayton Beach State Park frequently reaches capacity and may temporarily close. Closures occur intermittently and may last several hours. Campers with reservations will be admitted to the park when it is closed, but day visitors including pedestrians and bicyclists will not be allowed to enter until the park reopens. Day-Use Fee: $5 per vehicle. Phone: 850-267-8300. Address: 357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. Read more about why you should visit Grayton Beach State Park.
Oleta River State Park frequently reaches capacity, especially on weekends. If the park closes due to capacity, it will not reopen until the following day. It’s a good idea to call the Ranger Station before arrival to check capacity level. Day-Use Fee: $6 per vehicle. Phone: 786-756-2327. Address: 3400 N.E. 163rd St., North Miami Beach FL 33160. Read more about why you should visit Oleta River State Park.