O'Leno State Park - High Springs, FL
O’Leno State Park – A Dog-Friendly Adventure in High Springs, Florida
O’Leno State Park is a lush, nature-rich destination located in High Springs, Florida. Known for its heavily shaded walking and hiking trails, this park offers dog owners the perfect place to explore the great outdoors with their pets. Visitors frequently note the serene environment, abundant with trees, wildlife, and unique geographical features like the suspension bridge and the noteworthy point where the Santa Fe River sinks underground. The park’s natural beauty is complemented by well-maintained grassy areas, offering a tranquil spot to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida’s fauna and flora.
Pet-friendly trails meander throughout O’Leno State Park, providing opportunities to spot deer, birds, turtles, and more. While you’ll find plenty of shade, benches, gazebos, and rest areas along the paths, you should be aware of the park’s natural conditions—occasional muddy spots, ticks, and less-maintained natural trails are to be expected. Public restrooms, parking, shaded shelters, and running water facilities are available. O’Leno State Park is an excellent spot for dog-friendly hiking, picnics, and simply embracing the peaceful, shaded beauty of High Springs, Florida with your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs must remain on a leash at all times in O’Leno State Park.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, this park does not offer a specifically fenced dog area; all activities are on-leash and within the broader park grounds.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are benches and gazebos with seating available throughout the park’s trails and rest areas.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, thanks to dense tree coverage and shaded gazebos, there are plenty of spots to cool off out of the sun.
- Are there restrooms available for owners? Yes, public restrooms with running water are available on-site.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, there is a parking/entrance fee. Bring cash for entry.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Yes, ticks and house flies are mentioned by visitors as common, so take precautions for your pet’s health.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, O’Leno State Park features extensive, pet-friendly hiking trails suitable for leashed dogs and their owners.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the park is well shaded by trees and has gazebos for shelter.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is a parking area at the park entrance.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, there are park rangers available to assist visitors.
Reviews
Stunning section of river, the bridge is beautiful, the trails are nice, the trees are amazing.
More photos and videos on Grace Walks on FB.
The park is absolutely lush with trees. There’s also a suspension bridge right at the beginning, which is supposedly one of the “attractions.” You can hike along the trails that border the river. At one point, you reach a section that is the very definition of the word “swamp.” The seaweed is so dense that if a rock falls into it, it will cover the impact site almost instantly. At the beginning of the park, you can also swim in the river/swamp, where the water is a bit chilly.
One (and major) downside of the park is that the trail that borders the river hasn’t been cleared, so there are a lot of weeds, spider webs, and branches. Furthermore, one of the bridges on this same trail was also somewhat rotten and slippery. All of these factors make the hike dangerous and difficult. Therefore, I would say that if this is your first time hiking in natural parks, be careful when hiking this trail.
Cool place to take a hike. This is where the Santa Fe River sinks down in to the Florida aquifer runs under ground for 3 miles before reappearing in the River Raise Preserve. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. Worth checking out if you are a nature lover.
We go out here once or twice a month usually. Good walking trails by the water. We’ve seen deer, gators and turtles here. We’re so happy that the suspension bridge is open again.
Love this state park, stayed in site 31 three years in a row. Would have given 5 stars but the house flies were legion and the ticks were too friendly! Saw deer, birds, squirrels, no gators but they are everywhere I’m sure. Great state park where one can see where the Santa Fe river goes under ground.