O'Leno

Heather Stone

We just had a very short stop today- looks like a beautiful park, but like others have reported, the suspension bridge is still closed. It didn’t look that amazing anyway, so it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, although I think it might foul up the route on one of the hiking trails, because we had to turn around and go back the way we came on the loop hike. Other than that, it’s a really interesting park with some cool history and even a little museum! We weren’t going to stop in the mini museum but noticed it had air conditioning so we stopped for that but I was really glad we did because it was really interesting! I enjoyed seeing the war time rationing book! Very neat! We didn’t check out any of the camping areas so I cannot comment on that. The only other thing I would recommend is to bring bug spray and spray ankles/shoes well because we did find a tick dropped off one of us when we were getting back into our car 😱 - we hadn’t hiked very much today but managed to still find one. I’ve never found a tick on me in a Fl park before (and I always check because I’m originally from the northeast and know the dangers of ticks!)

Nicole Grot

We have camped on the Dogwood loop all week. We have enjoyed hiking, exploring the ground where Leno once stood and kayaking on the Santa Fe river. Although the campground is older, it is lovingly maintained. The Dogwood sites are on the smaller side and close together. We did explore the Magnolia loop. The sites seemed bigger and there was a chance of a little more privacy if you pick the right spot. There is also a playground on that loop. Most everything is tree covered, so we have not roasted in the sun. We have been battling ticks all week, but it’s just a few minutes every evening picking them off. Mosquitoes have been minimal and easily managed with bug spray. There is poison ivy everywhere, but as long as you stay on the well-groomed paths, you should be fine.

Melissa Ginoza

We came camping and was truly enjoyed both the campsite and various activities available. There are numerous hikes and wide range of natural scenery, including a river. Though we didn’t get to go inside, there is also a museum. We camped on a busy day. While our campsite was close to a few others, we were among one of the quietest and respectful camping neighbors. Highly recommend this place for both camping or just enjoying nature!

Billy Swinson

This is a nice Fl State park positioned on the Santa Fe River. This is a large wooded area with lots of trails and lots of worries about ticks from others and warning signs on the bathhouses by the campground. We were in cooler weather and didn’t encounter any but didn’t stray too far from normal pathways. Bridge area is under repair still but otherwise a beautiful and peaceful spot.

D G

This less known state Park is well worth a visit for camping or fun on the river. The forests in this area are lovely and I've been regenerating for many decades. The park was acquired by the state after the original settlement faded away and became a ghost town. The park itself has nice campgrounds and well built facilities for accessing the river. The grounds are well managed with designated fire pits. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. The area offers several good hikes and, at least during our visit with a scout troop in late 2024, there were still quite a few trees down from the sweep of hurricane Helena earlier in the year.