The River Trail at O'Leno State Park
Park Overview
O’Leno State Park is one of Florida’s first state parks constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930s. This 6,000-acre park, located six miles north of High Springs, features 11 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and biking, a recreation area, and historic CCC structures. The natural environment consists of hardwood swamps, lakes, sinkholes, and sandhills. Manmade structures include the park’s infamous suspension bridge, log pavilions, and cabins, along with a dining hall, nature center, and dedicated CCC museum.
Hardwood Swamp at O’Leno State Park
Park History
The town of Leno was originally called Keno, named after a bingo gambling game, but was later changed to Leno for religious reasons. Near the present-day park recreation area, you can check out the “Remnants from a Lost Town” exhibit, which features grist and saw mill machinery from Leno’s height in the 1860s. Once the railroad began taking passengers further distances in the 1890s, Leno became a ghost town, until the CCC developed O’Leno State Park and forestry station in 1934.
CCC Constructing Mess Hall, circa 1935 (Florida Memory)
The park was used as a forestry training camp for employees and youth groups until it was established as a state park in 1940. Original CCC structures are still preserved today, including the fire tower training building, stonework cabins, cypress log pavilions, and a small rock amphitheater. These structures are now used as rentals for family reunions or weddings with lodging accommodations nestled amongst oak, magnolia, and cypress trees along the river bank.
CCC Museum / Interpretive Center
The River Trail
Behind the recreation area, the tall suspension bridge leads to more exploring along the River Trail. The bridge, originally constructed by the CCC, spans over the Santa Fe River – a tributary of the Suwannee River. The 72-mile long river is tea-colored from natural tannins. The rising sun peaks through the hardwood hammock.
Cross the narrow swinging bridge to depart from the trailhead. This 1.4-mile loop takes you through a winding forest of oaks and pines with a saw palmetto understory. Multiple boardwalks connect the path through cypress swamp, past Ogden Pond, toward the River Sink. Watch out for those cypress knees!
Suspension Bridge Over the Santa Fe River
Follow the yellow blazes, and you’ll reach an overlook with seating to take in the highlight of the journey – where the Santa Fe River disappears underground, mixes with groundwater through a cave system, and reemerges more than 3 miles later in River Rise Preserve State Park. This natural swallet is called the River Sink or a karst, which refers to an underground stream formed by rainwater dissolving the rocks over thousands of years. Each day, more than 900 million gallons of water flow underground here. You’ll also spot lots of Suwannee cooters, egret, and blue herons.
Leaf Covered River Trail
Hills of moss spotted oaks will take you over Pavilion Creek Bridge and back toward the recreation area with more beautiful views of the historic suspension bridge.
We enjoyed hiking on a crisp morning in early winter when the foliage was bright red and orange and thick beds of leaves blanketed the path.
Boardwalk near the River Sink
Things to Do
Santa Fe River – swimming, fishing, kayak/canoe launch (canoe rentals available)
Biking (bike rentals available) – 11 miles of multi-use trails (connected to 35+ miles of River Rise Preserve hiking trails)
CCC Historical Center – preserved artifacts, documents, and photographs from this historic time period (9am to 3pm daily)
Nature Center – 10am to 2pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Camping – 61 sites with water & electric (Magnolia & Dogwood loops); primitive camping at Sweetwater Lake Camping Area (3 mile hike); youth camping; group camp; 16 rental cabins
A self-guided cellphone tour is available. Look for the tour stop signs located throughout the park.
O’Leno State Park Trails
River Trail – 1.4-mile loop (hiking only)
Limestone Trail – 0.61-mile loop through a hardwood hammock and dense pine forest with an overlook of the historic limestone rock quarry that was used for chimney construction (hiking only)
Parener’s Branch – 4.4-mile loop (multi-use)
Dogwood Trail – 1.25 miles
Explore More:
35+ miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, equestrian use at adjoining River Rise Preserve State Park:
Learn more about CCC construction of Florida State Parks:
Explore Nearby:
Bellamy Road – Florida’s first federal highway from St. Augustine to Tallahassee in 1824 (accessible from US 441, between O’Leno State Park and River Rise Preserve State Park)
Check out 15 Things to Do in High Springs:
Falling Creek Falls - a hidden gem just north of Lake City that features a 10-foot waterfall (boardwalk access from the parking lot); flows under Falling Creek Road through a deep ravine before going underground; hiking trails; historic structures from original settlement (old general store & church down the road)