Experiences & Amenities

Visitors can enjoy a leisurely bicycling experience along the park's main drive or a more adventurous ride on several of the park’s nature trails.

The park offers 11 miles of multiuse trails for hiking or biking. The O’Leno trail system also connects to the River Rise Preserve State Park trail system, providing an additional 35 miles of multiuse trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding.

• Bikes are prohibited on the River Trail (Yellow in O’Leno State Park) and the suspension bridge.

If you are planning to use the trails in River Rise Preserve, please visit the ranger station at O’Leno State Park to obtain a trail map.

• Portions of the trails may be strenuous or difficult to traverse due to sand, roots or mud. After heavy, extended rains, portions of the trails may be closed due to flooding.
• Please contact the ranger station at 386-454-1853 to inquire about current trail conditions.
• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

O’Leno State Park is a part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and offers visitors ample opportunity to bird-watch throughout the park. Bird enthusiasts might expect to see a variety of migrant songbirds, Northern bobwhite, Eastern wild turkey, barred owl, red-headed woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrows and many more.

O'Leno has two camping loops (Magnolia and Dogwood) with 61 campsites. Amenities include water, electric, in-ground grill, picnic table and a centrally located restroom. Magnolia loop has a playground for registered campers. A dump station and dumpsters are located off the main park drive across from the law enforcement office.

• The size of each site varies with a maximum RV length of 50 feet. Electrical hookups vary between 30 amp and 50 amp. Each loop has an accessible site: site 4 in Magnolia loop and site 47 in Dogwood loop.
• There is a maximum of two vehicles in addition to the camping unit allowed on each site. Additional vehicles will be required to park in the day-use area. There is a maximum of two tents per site.
• Quiet hours begin at 11 p.m.
• Hammock camping is permitted in designated sites with the appropriate equipment. Designated hammock camping sites are 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 42, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59 and 61.
• Please be advised that the campground loops at O’Leno State Park are compact in nature. The roads are extremely narrow. Additionally, fencing has been installed in Magnolia loop to assist with vegetation management in the buffer zones. As a result, larger recreational vehicles may have to engage in extensive maneuvering when arriving at the park’s back-in campsites.
• Well-behaved pets are welcome at O'Leno State Park. Please refer to the Pet Policy for further information.
• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

Sweetwater Lake Camping Area is primitive camping at its finest. Located on the banks of Sweetwater Lake, the area includes space for tent camping, a fire circle and a privy. You must hike 3 miles to the site and pack in all supplies, including water. This requires the camper to arrive at the park three hours before sunset to reach the site before dark.

The campground can be subdivided to accommodate up to 10 people and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees for primitive camping are $5 (plus tax) per person, per night.

• Due to its location, Sweetwater Lake Camping Area is subject to closure based on weather conditions. The area will be closed during extreme drought due to wildfire danger and when the park is experiencing flooding.
• The site is also closed occasionally when the park is conducting a prescribed burn.
• Please contact the ranger station at 386-454-1853 for more information and to inquire about the availability of the area.
• Sweetwater Lake Primitive Camp Rental Guide.

The developed group camp at O’Leno State Park has an overnight occupancy limit of 120 guests. The group camp is located centrally within the park. It is within walking distance of the Upper Santa Fe River, nature trails, a playground, a swimming area, a canoe launch, the nature center and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.

The following is included in the developed group camp rental:

• Three leader cabins
  • Leader one: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, sleeps 10 (1 full-size bed, 4 sets of bunk beds). Grill and picnic table. Accessible ramp, kitchen and restroom.
  • Infirmary: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, fireplace, sleeps 4 (1 full-size bed, 2 twin beds). Grill and picnic table.
  • Leader three: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, fireplace, sleeps 8 (4 sets of bunk beds). Grill and picnic table. Accessible ramp and restroom.
• Thirteen sleeper cabins (each sleep 8 on 4 sets of bunk beds).
• Two bathhouses.
• Dining hall with a full kitchen (includes tables, chairs, gas oven, dishwasher and utensils). Accessible ramp and restroom.
• Recreation hall.
• Barbecue pit.
• Fire ring.
• Basketball hoop, volleyball net and horseshoe court.
• Craft building.
• Concession building.

The buildings in this historic group camp are primitive and do not include heating or air. The three leader cabins contain restrooms; however, the 13 sleeper cabins contain only bunks and campers will need to use the centralized restrooms. There are wood-burning fireplaces located in the infirmary, leader 3, the dining hall and the recreation hall.

Guests can check out a basketball, a volleyball and horseshoes from the ranger station for no additional charge.

Individual camping units (tents, rigs) are not allowed in the group camp. Pets are not allowed in the group camp.

Reservations: The group camp can be rented up to 11 months (to the day) in advance. Reservations will not be taken before 8 a.m. 

A deposit in the amount of one night’s rental is required at the time of the reservation. Please contact the ranger station at 386-454-1853 for information or to make a reservation.

Previewing the group camp: Arrangements can be made to view the group camp between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Please call 386-454-1853 for more information. In order to prevent disturbing our guests, we will not allow viewings while the group camp is occupied.

Individual facility rental: Reservations for the rental of individual facilities within the group camp are permitted up to 30 days in advance when the group camp has not been reserved as a unit.

The park offers two primitive group camps:

• Area 1 can accommodate up to 25 people and offers a small picnic shelter, a ground grill, cold-water showers and a restroom. 
• Area 2 can accommodate up to 50 people and offers two ground grills, two small picnic shelters, cold-water showers and a restroom.

Neither camping area has electricity or hot water.

Reservations: Please contact the ranger station at 386-454-1853 up to 11 months in advance to make reservations for the primitive group camps. Fees are $2 per youth, per night (under 18 years of age) and $5 per adult, per night.

• Primitive Group Camp Rental Guide.

The Santa Fe River is an unpredictable fishing spot. Sometimes the fish bite, sometimes they don't. Come on out and take a chance.

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 
• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Explore the park in a new and challenging way. Experienced geocachers have requested permission to hide caches containing trinkets, treasures or information in various places around the park. Please check the Geocaching website for the most current and up-to-date information and clues to locate these caches. 

• Operation Recreation GeoTour 

Several trails ranging in length are available at O’Leno State Park. Trail maps are available at the ranger station.

The three most popular hiking trails are the River Trail, the Limestone Trail and Parener’s Branch.

• The Limestone Trail (0.61 miles/hiking) passes through a hardwood hammock, past a limestone outcrop and by a pine forest.
• The River Trail (1.44 miles/hiking) takes you along the Santa Fe River to where the river disappears underground. Turtles are often seen basking in the sun, and the occasional alligator makes an appearance.
• Parener’s Branch, (3.69 miles/multi-use) is a looped trail that meanders near several natural sinks that provide a window to the Santa Fe River’s underground travels.

An additional 35 miles of multiuse trails (hiking/biking/equestrian) can be found at River Rise Preserve State Park.

• It is recommended that you take items such as water, snacks, insect repellent, a trail map, compass and a cellphone out on the trails. Please enjoy the nature trails responsibly and respect the park and wildlife. 

Explore the Santa Fe River by canoe and enjoy the area's scenic beauty and wildlife. Paddlers must go up river and return, as canoeing down river is prohibited due to the location of the swimming area and the environmental sensitivity of the river sink.

• Call the ranger station at 386-454-1853 before a trip to the park to ask about water levels on the Santa Fe River. If the water levels are too high (flooding) or too low (exposed rocks), canoeing will not be permitted.

Enjoy the park’s picnic area overlooking the Santa Fe River. Covered shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

O’Leno State Park is the perfect spot for family reunions. For multiple day events, users may be interested in the park’s developed group camp facilities. Those wanting to come in just for the day may wish to rent one of the park’s two pavilions.

• Reservations: Park facilities can be rented up to 11 months (to the day) in advance. A deposit in the amount of one day’s rental is required at the time of the reservation. Please contact the ranger station 386-454-1853 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for information or to make a reservation.
• Park entry fee is not included in the facility rental price.

During the warmer months, enjoy a refreshing dip in the park’s swimming area, located on a portion of the Santa Fe River. Although the river is tea-colored from the natural tannins, the water is fresh, clean and certainly energizing on a hot summer afternoon.

Water levels in the Santa Fe River occasionally cause the swimming area to be closed. The swimming area will be closed for safety reasons if water levels are too low or too high.

Please contact the ranger station at 386-454-1853 prior to your arrival to inquire about the status of the swimming area.

• Keep in mind there is no lifeguard on duty - swim at your own risk.

Interpretive programs, environmental education programs, guided hikes and Scout programs are available upon request for groups. Please call 386-454-0723 and leave a message for more information or to schedule a program. Calls will be returned when park staff are available, Wednesday through Saturday.

O’Leno State Park offers a scenic spot for walkers, joggers and hikers of all fitness levels. Visitors can choose to walk or jog the paved path along main park drive, take a leisurely stroll through the picnic area or hike one of several hiking trails. A beach wheelchair is available upon request and can be used to access several day use areas in the park.

• Please contact 386-454-1853 or visit the ranger station for more information.
• For those looking for a little added excitement, we invite you to participate in the park’s annual Race the Tortoise 5K. The course provides the perfect opportunity for novices to try running, walking or jogging and is open to all abilities.

Those seeking a wedding venue will enjoy the scenic views and rustic atmosphere offered at O’Leno State Park. The park's open air pavilion - a large cypress structure surrounded by majestic oak, magnolia and cypress trees - offers a quaint setting for smaller ceremonies or low-key receptions.

The regal log beams and rock fireplaces in the park’s recreation hall help create an intimate setting for indoor ceremonies.

Larger groups have the option of renting the park’s group camp. A small rock amphitheater with wooden bench seating on the banks of the Santa Fe River is also available for ceremonies.

• Your Dream Wedding at O'Leno State Park.

O’Leno State Park offers plenty of opportunities to view wildlife. Rabbits, deer, turkey, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians can be seen in the park. The park is also a popular birding destination.

• Visit the nature center - open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday - to learn more about park wildlife.