O'Leno State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids O'Leno State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Santa Fe River
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 O'Leno State Park
Location in Florida
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| Location | Columbia County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | High Springs, Florida |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
O'Leno State Park is a cool Florida State Park located on the Santa Fe River. You can find it about six miles north of High Springs on U.S. 441. Many of the buildings and structures you see in the park were built a long time ago in the 1930s by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. They helped build many parks across the country!
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Discover O'Leno State Park
A Town Called Old Leno
Did you know a town used to be where O'Leno State Park is now? It was first called Keno, which is also the name of a gambling game. This town had a cotton gin (a machine that separates cotton) and a sawmill (where wood is cut).
In 1876, some local leaders and business people decided to change the town's name. They wanted to make the town's reputation better, so they changed Keno to Leno. The park's current name, O'Leno, means "Old Leno."
Later, a railroad was built, but it didn't go through Leno. Because of this, people started to move away, and the town slowly became a ghost town.
The Park's Unique Landscape
O'Leno State Park has a very interesting landscape! You'll find many sinkholes, which are holes in the ground that form when the land above an underground cave collapses. The park also has areas of hardwood hammocks (forests on slightly higher ground), river swamps, and sandhills.
The Santa Fe River flows right through the park. What's really cool is that the river actually disappears into a sinkhole here! It then flows underground for about 3.5 miles before reappearing at River Rise Preserve State Park. This creates a natural land bridge where the river goes underground. A very old road called the Bellamy Road once crossed this unique land bridge.
Animals You Might See
O'Leno State Park is home to many different kinds of wildlife. If you're quiet and lucky, you might spot white-tailed deer walking through the woods. You could also see busy squirrels, slow-moving turtles, and clever raccoons.
Keep an eye out for alligators near the water. The park is also a great place to see gopher tortoises, which are special turtles that dig long burrows in the ground.
Fun Things to Do
There are lots of fun activities to enjoy at O'Leno State Park! You can explore more than 13 miles of trails. These trails are perfect for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding.
If you want to relax, there are picnic pavilions where you can enjoy a meal outdoors. The park also has a full-facility campground. This means you can go camping with your family, or even with a youth or group if you plan ahead.
When to Visit
O'Leno State Park is open every day of the year, including holidays. You can visit between 8 a.m. and sundown.
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