Introduction

Bridging natural wonder with historical significance, O'Leno State Park invites adventurers to witness a landscape where geological mysteries, ecological diversity, and human history converge. From its remarkable river sink to its carefully preserved CCC-era structures, the park offers a multifaceted journey through Florida's environmental and cultural heritage.

Background

O'Leno State Park is a geological and ecological marvel that challenges visitors' understanding of natural hydrology. The park's most stunning feature is the Santa Fe River's mystifying underground journey, where the river seemingly vanishes into a limestone sink, only to re-emerge miles downstream. This karst landscape provides a unique window into Florida's complex groundwater systems. Extensive trail networks wind through diverse ecosystems, from dense hardwood hammocks to riparian zones, offering visitors an immersive exploration of North Florida's natural diversity.

History

Founded in the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program, O'Leno State Park represents a profound chapter in American conservation history. The park's infrastructure, including its iconic suspension bridge, was hand-built by CCC workers during the Great Depression, serving as both an employment program and a monumental landscape restoration effort. Originally known as the town of Leno, the area was transformed from a small settlement into a remarkable ecological preserve, symbolizing humanity's capacity to restore and protect natural landscapes.

Address: 410 SE Oleno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643Get Directions

Total Trail Length: 13 miles

Fees: Vehicle Entrance Fee: $5

Hours: 8:00 AM - Sunset (365 days a year)

Phone: (386) 454-1853

More Info: Florida State Parks