Last updated on July 23rd, 2025 at 03:28 pm
Every year, Florida State Parks invites visitors to submit their personal photos for a chance to win prizes and see their photos published online and in calendars.
There are two groups of winners — Grand Prize winners selected by a panel of judges and People’s Choice Award winners selected by public vote. (See our gallery of grand prize winners here.)
Here are the talented winners of the People’s Choice Awards from each of eight categories:
2024 People’s Choice Award winners
Category: Park Adventures
‘Fishing at Curry Hammock’
Curry Hammock State Park, Marathon
“I grew up in the Tampa area but now live out of the state. I do miss being in Florida and believe the state parks in Florida are some of the best in the country. These parks are preserving everything that is great about the state and need to be protected.”
Read about Curry Hammock State Park: Great camping, kayak trails, beach
Category: Wildlife
‘Sunbathing Baby Gator‘
Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka
“My husband and I are on a mission to visit every Florida state park and to camp at every single park that offers camping. This particular paddle at Wekiva Springs State Park was to try out the primitive kayak camping up river. Along the way we saw an otter, an abundance of turtles and a variety of birds. We hadn’t seen too many gators until we found momma and her babies with this sweet little one sunbathing on a lilly pad. The momma gator also had several babies lying on her back. It was a wonderful sighting, but we kept it brief and kept our distance.”
Read about Wekiwa Springs State Park
Category: Landscapes
‘Touching The Rainbow‘
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon, FL
“Rainbow Springs State Park is one of the most beautiful places in the State of Florida and there are many. I hadn’t been to the park in years, but that day was just right with bright skies, mild temperatures, low humidity and a slight breeze. I love Rainbow Springs State Park and I hope everyone that goes there loves it as much as I do.”
Read about Rainbow Springs State Park: It’s like kayaking in an aquarium
Category: Plants / Flowers
‘Fragile Beauty‘
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key
“Photography is a rewarding experience and much of my time is spent capturing the beauty of the Keys. Bahia Honda is especially blessed with an abundance of naturally occurring opportunities, especially along the Sandspur Beach area. The delicate flowers pictured were growing just along the roadside and brought color and fragility to the hardier surrounding vegetation. It was a moment not to pass up. Just another example of the enjoyment of making the most of Florida’s fine State Parks.”
Read Bahia Honda State Park has it all
Category: Small wonders
‘Golden Hour‘
Bald Point State Park, Alligator Point, FL
“Fall in Florida has its own special ‘foliage’ that happens to fly through our area in north Florida… The Monarch migration is always fun to watch as hundreds of thousands stop on their journey to South America. It was late in day and lighting was just right as I was walking around with my camera on one of Bald Point State Park trails. I came across a small group of Monarchs that allowed me to get super close and capture this picture.”
Read about Bald Point State Park
Category: Waterscapes
‘Pennekamp Reef Scene‘
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, FL
Read this story: Snorkeling, kayaking, camping at Pennekamp State Park
Category: Birds
‘Honey’s Unexpected Journey‘
Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin, FL
“When Hurricane Idalia swept through, it brought with it an unexpected visitor — a flamingo far from its native home. Thought to have flown in from Cuba, this vibrant traveler found refuge at Honeymoon Island State Park. For weeks, “Honey” became a local legend, resting and feeding amidst the serene beauty of the park. A symbol of resilience and the power of nature’s surprises, Honey captured the hearts of everyone who came to see the rare sight.”
Read Honeymoon Island: Spectacular natural beach with charming Old Florida history
Category: Parks Overnight
‘Perfect Harmony‘
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, Apalachicola, FL
“Photography helps me relax, and many times I do it when most people are sleeping. I named the picture “perfect harmony” since it clearly shows how earth interacts with heaven in a perfect way and that perfect harmony cannot be the result of randomness. St. George Island State Park is one of the top spots for astrophotography in Florida. Happy Trails!”
Read Apalachicola & St. George Island: Delightful town; spectacular beach
2025 Florida State Parks Photo Contest: Submissions for the 2025 contest are being accepted through September 1, 2025. For more information, go to photocontest.floridastateparks.org
Related: Amazing wildlife to striking landscapes, photo contest winners ‘Capture the Real Florida’
