Tomoka State Park sits where the Tomoka and Halifax Rivers meet in Ormond Beach, making it one of Florida’s most scenic river parks. Established in 1945, this 1,800-acre preserve protects a landscape of tidal marshes, hardwood hammocks, and coastal waterways that once served as home to the Timucuan people for thousands of years.

Kayaking and canoeing steal the show here. The Tomoka River basin offers calm, sheltered paddling through corridors of overhanging oaks draped in Spanish moss, with manatees, dolphins, and wading birds as regular companions. A canoe/kayak launch sits right in the park, and outfitters nearby rent gear if you don’t have your own.

Beyond the water, a paved multi-use trail winds through the park — great for biking or a morning run beneath a canopy of live oaks. Fishing is productive year-round, with redfish, snook, and flounder drawing anglers to the river banks and a small fishing pier. The Fred Dana Marsh Museum showcases the area’s deep history, from Timucuan artifacts to early Florida settlement.

The park’s campground offers full-facility sites tucked among the trees, though availability details are worth confirming with the park directly before planning your trip.

Visit between October and April to dodge the worst of the heat and mosquitoes. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms and thick humidity, but early mornings on the river remain magical.

With a 4.6-star rating across nearly 3,000 reviews, Tomoka consistently delivers for paddlers, history buffs, and anyone looking for Old Florida charm just minutes from the coast.

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