River Rise Preserve State Park - High Springs, FL
River Rise Preserve State Park, located in High Springs, FL, is a fantastic dog park in the area offering pet-friendly trails and dog-friendly hiking experiences. This park features a variety of activities including hiking on scenic trails that wind through old growth hammocks and along the Santa Fe River rise. It’s an ideal spot for dog owners looking to enjoy nature with their pets, as dogs are allowed on the trails and the environment is welcoming to four-legged friends.
The park is well-equipped with amenities such as barbecue grills and picnic tables, making it perfect for family outings that include children and pets. Visitors can enjoy quiet, extensive trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and exploring local flora and fauna. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful day hike or a fun outdoor adventure with your dog, River Rise Preserve State Park offers a unique and serene setting that stands out among dog parks in Florida.
FAQ for River Rise Preserve State Park in High Springs Florida:
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? The information specifies that dogs are allowed, but does not state if they are permitted off-leash.
- Are dogs allowed at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed at River Rise Preserve State Park and are seen leashed on trails.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are extensive hiking trails including a 1.5-mile trail to the river rise, trails to Sweetwater Lake, and connections to O’Leno State Park.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, the park has amenities including barbecue grills and picnic tables for visitors.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, there are park rangers present to provide information and assistance, as noted with the interaction with Park Ranger Josh.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is noted to be good for kids with kid-friendly hikes.
- Is the park open year-round? The park is described as a great all-season day hiking park, which indicates it is open year-round.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Visitors are advised to bring cash to pay for parking, indicating there is a parking fee although no membership is mentioned.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? There is no specific mention of wheelchair accessibility, so this cannot be confirmed.
- Are restrooms available for owners? The information does not specify restroom availability.
- Is there shade or shelter available? The park has old growth hammocks and forested areas which provide natural shade along the hiking trails.
- Are horses allowed at the park? Yes, horseback riding is allowed and there are horse trails available.
Reviews
We made our way here immediately following a visit to the river sink 3 miles north of the rise, and walked the 1.5-mile trail head (3 miles there and back) to the rise.It was definitely worth the hike, but we regret not taking some fishing poles with us.
This is my actual favorite Florida State park- the west side (entrance on US 27) is mostly sandy horse trails and has primitive campground and pretty ok “hiking” IMO.However the best part of park is River Rise East entrance- accessible from US 441 on east side about 500 yards after the bar- this is where you can hike under old growth hammocks to the actual Santa Fe river rise or if you are adventurous through some of the best old growth forests to reach O’Leno State Park of which this park is directly south of- can also be accessed from entrance on Old Bellamy Rd. All kinds of local fauna and flora- usually very quiet – Truly a great all season day hiking park Mostly locals because the map brings you to entrance on 27.
Nice park for horseback riding. There are campsites available here as well. Very clean and small. The hiking trails were blocked from the recent hurricane. If you are looking for a quiet place to camp this might be your spot.
Great for MTB or FatBikes. Or even horses.We arrived and got great help from Park Ranger Josh who provided lots of details – very generous with his time and friendly.The maps at the start provide good directions and there are many other side trails too. Suggest bringing cash to pay for parking.Depending on the trail you can have a lot of loose sand or bumpy ride on horse tracks but you have lots of choices to get a good ride and long so you can pick what is best for you. My loop had a little too much loose sand – suggest staying away from the trails that run along the park boundary – they seem sandiest.
Extensive trails lead you to where the river rises back out of the ground, Sweetwater Lake, and all the way to O’Leno State Park. I hiked it, but mountain bikes and horses are also allowed on the trails. I saw two leashed dogs as well.