A little cabin in the Florida woods: Photos of state park cabin rentals

Florida’s state parks offer not only a natural setting and ambiance, but also a good value in its state park cabins. Ranging in price from $30 to $160 a night, there are cabins in 21 state park, all sharing one essential asset: You can’t beat their location inside a state park.

Here is a collection of photos of cabins available around Florida parks.

For prices, details and tips on reserving a cabins and other details, see our guide to Florida state-park cabins. (This gallery is a way to offer more photos to that guide.)

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key

These cabins on Big Pine Key in the southern section of the Florida Keys are about the hardest ones to reserve in the system. Here’s more on visiting Bahia Honda State Park. Here’s what the cabins look like inside and out:

 Myakka River State Park, Sarasota

These cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and with their logs made out of palm-tree trunks,  they might be the most picturesque in the system. The cabins are set back in the woods, separate from each other and away from the road. The five cabins were closed for refurbishing through much of 2015, so the cabins are probably more available now (in early 2016) than usual. (It’s well worth booking them in advance.)

We loved the big stone wood-burning fireplace and were surprised how large our cabin felt. The cabin is described as three rooms: There’s a complete, small kitchen and adjoining small room with table and chairs and a modern bathroom. All this is located in what feels like an addition to the original cabin, which is one big room furnished with two double beds, a futon and a heavy wooden dining rooms table and six chairs plus the fireplace. It’s cozy but there is not a lot of natural light. Cabins have heat and air conditioning.

There are no “extras” stocked in the cabin. No soap. No coffee filters. No corkscrew. No paper towels. We were surprised that there were sheets but no warm blankets. (We got our picnic blanket out of the trunk to stay warm.) There are dishes, silverware and pans. Beyond that, pack as if you were camping.

Please note: Because of Hurricane Ian, these cabins are closed in 2023.

Cabins in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound

These lack the ambiance of rustic cabins; they are actually new, miniature trailers/modular homes.  They are well equipped, however, and beautifully situated in the woods. Best of all. Jonathan Dickinson State Park is park full of so many recreational opportunities and great natural beauty.

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City

Blue Spring State Park, near Orlando, is popular in all seasons. In the summer, for swimming and tubing; in the winter for visiting manatees. Its cabins are big (they sleep six) and in an attractive forested area steps from the spring.

Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont

These cabins are close enough to Disney to allow families to combine a theme park and a natural park into one getaway.  Here’s more about the Lake Louisa cabins.

Silver Springs State Park, Ocala

With metal roofs and big porches, these cabins look like Florida Cracker houses. They are situated in the woods surrounded  by big trees and vegetation, separated from neighboring cabins. Out back, there’s a fire ring for campfires and s’mores.  Here’s more about Silver Springs State Park. 

Hontoon Island State Park cabins, Deland

Note: Because of Hurricane Ian, these cabins are not available in 2023.

These are not luxury cabins with all the amenities, like many others listed here. They’re only a small step up from camping. You must bring a sleeping bag and the bathroom serving all the cabins is outdoors. But Hontoon State Park’s six one-room cabins are beautifully situated in a secluded, shady hammock and make a good base for a kayaking or canoe trip on the St. Johns River. Located on the St. Johns River, the park is accessible only by boat or the free park ferry.

Cayo Costa State Park cabins, west of Fort Myers

Note: Because of Hurricane Ian, these cabins are not available in 2023.

Like the cabins at Hontoon, the cabins on Cayo Costa are rustic — and that’s their charm.  The cabins are without electricity or linens but they are situated right on the beach. The park can only by reached by boat, so this is a place to truly get away from the world. More about Cayo Costa State Park.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park cabins, White Springs

These Northern Florida cabins have a great layout, with a well-equipped open kitchen, a huge screen porch and a gas fireplace. They’re located steps from the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. More about the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, where there is a lot to see and do.

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights

This park in an out-of-the-way location in northeast Florida has two types of cabins — modern ones and historic ones built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Fanning Springs State Park cabins, Fanning Springs

Fanning Springs in northwest Florida is not close to any population centers, so it’s an area that is rural and remote. The park is built around a stunning turquoise spring that spills into the Suwanee River. Its cabins are first-rate, and because the location is out of the way, they are easier to snag that those in other parks.

Florida cabin resources:

• Florida state park cabins and campsites are booked through the park reservation system.
• For reservations, call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) or TDD (888) 433-0287, or online at Florida State Parks.