Florida State Parks has announced the winners of its 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest, which highlighted images taken across the state’s parks. The contest featured five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters—a new category added to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Thousands of entries were submitted from around Florida. Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks, said, “Every year, our visitors capture breathtaking moments that remind us why our state parks are among the most treasured places in the country. Thank you to everyone who shared their images. I invite all Floridians to get out and discover our state parks and maybe even grab that perfect shot.”
The Grand Prize winners for each category are:
– Landscapes: Shane Carrol for “Not Alone” at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park in Sanderson.
– Waterscapes: Dawn Campbell for “Early Dawn” at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala.
– Wildlife: Michelle Huguet for “Eyes of the Forest” at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.
– Park Adventures: Heather Bossowski for “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers” at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach.
– Historic Encounters: Valleri Ames for “Echoes of Bulow Plantation” at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park in Ormond Beach.
All winning photos—including Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice—are available on the contest’s webpage. Each Grand Prize winner received a $1,000 B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Annual Pass, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hammock.
The winning photographs will be displayed at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park during its Winter Waterland celebration this month.
Florida’s state park system includes 175 award-winning parks, trails, and historic sites that offer diverse wildlife and natural settings suitable for photographers of all skill levels. The photo contest is organized with Tyler Technologies, which manages reservations for overnight stays at these parks.
Photographers can begin capturing images starting January 1, 2026. The submission portal will open in November 2026 so participants can spend the year taking photos before submitting them. Florida State Parks encourages both photographers and nature enthusiasts to visit parks and submit their own views of what they call “…the Real Florida.”
The Florida Park Service has received four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association—in 1999, 2005, 2013, and 2019—making it America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner.
Florida’s park system covers more than 815,000 acres with over 101 miles of beaches and more than 3,024 miles of multi-use trails. Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore these areas throughout the year. More information about Florida State Parks is available at www.FloridaStateParks.org.
Further details can be found on the official announcement: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3fe6d71
