A longer camping trip to north Florida near Gainesville. We brought our two cats along.
When we pack up our camper we often head north. From our home in Edgewater to the Ocala National Forest area, travel time is about two hours. Some of our favorite camping spots are in that area.
We have camped at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch, in Keystone Heights, a few times before. It is northeast of Gainesville but close enough to attend events in the city. This time, my son was going to the Gator Nationals drag races.
This time we took our two cats with us. They were able to enjoy some outdoor time inside their crates. Skittle enjoyed being outside more than Fontana. She preferred to be indoors and sleep peacefully.
We were in campsite #2 this time. It is on the outside of the Sand (Sandhill) Loop. Each site backs up to a sparse pine forest and grass. The sites are spacious, but without a lot of shade – at this time of year anyway. The sites on the inside of the loop have more trees, but are smaller.
Site #2
Our site was very sunny, but thankfully the weather was not hot. We were there in March. I did spend some time inside the screen house, but it’s warm inside.
Two tall oak trees were just beginning to get their leaves. Once that happens, there may be more shade in this campsite.
Our site from the trailSkittle inside the screen houseBurned treeCharred stump
We had a good stay, without much to complain about. One couple did walk through with their dog running loose through all the sites! I was inside the camper, and so were my cats, thankfully. I thought the dog had gotten loose because they were calling and calling for it. But once the dog appeared they just scratched his head and off he ran. My cats would have been terrified if that dog ran up to them.
The cats had just been on a trip with us in January. They seem to have adjusted to camping life! I won’t say they love it, but seem content enough.
We have really enjoyed the nature that can be found at our Florida State Park campgrounds. With my senior citizens discount it only costs around $22 a night (total with charges).
Our next camping trip will be to a new spot – for us. It is a unique park known for its abundant wildlife, wild horses and bison. I will be sure to write all about our trip to Paynes Prairie near Gainesville.
Campground review of our stay at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch state park campground, located in north Florida near Gainesville. .
In March we camped at Mike Roess Gold Head so my son could attend the Gator Nationals in Gainesville. This Florida state park campground is located in northern Florida in Keystone Heights, to the east of Gainesville.
Our Site
We reserved the site a bit late for the busy racing weekend and site #14 was the only one left. It’s not a horrible site, but the neighbors were close. Compared to the other sites in this loop, ours was the small one.
The fire pit was right behind the camper. We have a 28 foot camper and our truck and RV just fit. Behind us was an open area that led to the bathhouse.
The site on the other side of us was far away, which was nice. We still had enough space to set up the screen house, which we were happy to have. At times we had beetles and little black bugs flying around. And in March, the trees are shedding so stuff was constantly falling.
Campsite #14 (left) is closeA day without neighborsSite #14Mike Roess campground site #14
The Campground
The campground has two RV and tent camping loops and one Tent Only loop. We had a site in the Sandhill Loop. The other RV loop is the Lake Loop.
Our two cats came with us because we camped for four days. Usually we are only gone two, and the cats stay home. They did pretty well, and enjoyed some outside time inside the new screen house.
Skittle in the screen house
Mike Roess campground offers lots of trails, roads, hills and lakes. It’s a pretty sweet place.
If you are into swimming with gators, there is also a little beach and roped off swimming area. Just kidding, but be aware that alligators can be anywhere. Personally, I wouldn’t swim here, but even in March people were hanging around the beach area and kids were playing in the water.
I couldn’t capture it well in photos, but the hill leading down to this lake is full of beautiful oaks. Paved parking areas hold many cars, with pavilions and picnic tables all over. I suspect this is a bustling place in summer months.
Swimming area at Mike Roess Gold Head state park in Florida
Cabins and Tent Camping
Down the road, beyond the Sand Loop, are the cabins, dump station and the Lake Loop RV campsites. The cabins were nestled under the trees and faced a lake. Possibly there is more swimming here? I’m not sure.
We drove through the Lake Loop camping area. It was more hilly, and the sites seemed close together. A few campsites had a lake view. I don’t have photos from that loop.
CabinsTent camping area showing site #25
The Tent Camping Area
The tents-only loop had some very nice, secluded sites like the one in my photo above. Back your vehicle in between overhanging trees, and camp near the picnic table in the back. All RV sites can be used by tent campers, but RVs can’t use the tent area.
I’ve noticed that the tent campsites are usually really nice at the Florida State Parks. When we stayed at Gamble Rogers, the tent sites were the only ones that were nice and shady.
Trails Within the Campground
For us, this campground was unique because of its sprawling size, and the hills! They were small hills, but still – hills! The trails meandered all over, and there wasn’t enough time to follow them all. Some went off to the lakes (I think there are five lakes here) and some cut through the forest. If you enjoy hiking, this is the place.
I followed the Loblolly Trail, which I walked to from my campsite, and meandered through the woods until I came to some flooding over the path. A beautiful, blooming thistle plant was growing just off the path. The gopher tortoise headed to his hole as I passed by while walking on the road.
loblolly trailTrail toward the lakeBeautiful thistle flowerFlooded trailGopher Tortoise
Visit the Ravine by stopping along the road that comes into the camping area. It has boardwalks and stairs. This trail also connects to the Loblolly trail.
Ravine stairsRavine boardwalk
We totally enjoyed our time camping at Mike Roess. Florida’s state park campgrounds have always been nice, in our experience. We will be returning to this one later in the year, and probably once again next March for the races.
This is a great one to visit and explore the outdoors. For that reason, I would not camp here in the heat of summer.
RV camping in the Sandhill Loop
Have you camped at Mike Roess Gold Head campground?
Camping at the O’Leno State Park in High Springs, Florida. A wonderful place to enjoy time in nature with walking and biking trails, and the Santa Fe River.
We took a quick two day camping trip to O’Leno state park the end of October to enjoy some Florida nature. This place has plenty of it.
The drive for us took nearly three hours. This part of Florida has hills, unlike the area where I live and I enjoyed the ride. The park is located in the northern part of Florida in High Springs – close to Ichetucknee (good to know). Rain came shortly after we had backed the RV into the site, but didn’t last long and we were out and about on our bikes.
We camped on the Magnolia Loop which is one of two camping loops in the park. The Dogwood Loop is near the entrance, but the Mag Loop is down near the Santa Fe River.
Rain came as we arrived at the campgroundOur campsite
The Campsites
The photos here are typical of the sites to rent around the Mag(nolia) Loop. Site #6 had a trail that led down into the woods behind the fence. Another site had 2 picnic tables. These sites can easily hold a camper, vehicle (two are allowed) and tent or screen house.
Hookups are electric and water but no sewer. There is a place to empty sewer in the campground, which we did on our way out.
The loop road is very bumpy sand and each site is sand, but very level. I think large RVs would have some trouble with close trees along the roads and backing into the sites. We saw deer behind our camper in the morning. The woods are full of big old trees.
We camped during the week and left on a Friday. After the first night, both sites on either side of us were empty! Animals are allowed in this campground, and we did hear some dogs barking during the day.
Site #6 has access to a wooded trail
The Santa Fe River
At the entrance of the O’Leno Campground follow the road back to the river area. A large parking area and picnic tables are provided along with a large roped off swimming area. The public can visit during the day.
One of the main draws to this place seems to be the suspension bridge over the river. It was closed at the time we visited, due to damage from a fallen tree (the website did announce this). This bridge is also part of the trail that leads to the River “sink” and usually makes a loop. With the bridge out, the loop can’t be completed but can still be walked.
Swimming
Part of the river is roped off for swimming. Due to the abundance of cypress trees, the water is very dark. I do not go in Florida fresh water, unless it’s a spring (Salt Springs camping). For this reason, and the fact that there are so many wonderful trails, I would not camp here during the hot months.
Swimming area in the river
Rough trail for bikingSanta Fe river with swimming area
Walking Trail to the River Sink
Another feature in this rural location is the Santa Fe River “sink” and “rise”. The sink is the area where the river water goes underground. The place it emerges again (the rise) is about three miles away.
I was looking forward to biking to see the river “rise” but the trails were too full of roots and soft sand to make biking manageable for me. As far as I know, you must walk or bike to see the rise.
Big Cypress trees along the Santa FeWalking trail to the river sink.Trail that leads past the “sink”Yes, alligators are in fresh waterThe river sink.
From the trailhead by the swimming area, we followed the trail to the river sink (we biked part way, then had to walk). This is where the Santa Fe goes underground. An amazing 900 million gallons of water flow underground here each day! On the surface, nothing is moving and green stuff makes the water seem stagnant. There is an alligator warning sign. Gators can literally be anywhere but we didn’t see any.
We drove to the Limestone Trail and took a short walk up the left side of the trail to see the old quarry. It was a hole in the ground with some protruding rocks.
Sign at Limestone TrailLimestone quarry area
History
This place is a historical location of the old town of Leno – O’Leno is short for “Old Leno”. The campground / park has lots of information about the history with parts of the old grist mills (there were two) under a pavilion – photo below.
We missed out on visiting the little museum, but the town of Leno disappeared after the railroad was built and passed it by. The deserted town became a work camp during the Great Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corp built up the area in the 1930’s and 40’s into the campground and park it is today.
Remains of buildings and the dam can still be seen.
More Info
Here are some things I’d have liked to know before booking my stay.
Wood can be purchased for $7.00 – exact change! It says nothing about bringing in your own wood, so I’m not sure if that is allowed.
There are many trails throughout the area. Some are for walking and biking and some are walking only (also equestrian). A trail map is provided at check-in (like the one linked above). The map shows the location of the “sink” and “rise”. Eventually, I figured out what that meant!
Bring bikes if you have them. The bike trails were too bumpy for me, but there are other places to ride. I rode along the main roadway and never saw a car! I’m sure there are busy times, but this was not one of them.
We took a drive to see the Dogwood Loop camping area and were glad we didn’t stay there. Those sites were on the inside of the loop, whereas campsites are on the outside at the Mag Loop. Some of the sites were pretty close and looked tough to maneuver because of trees. But, if you want to be away from everything (the playground, day visitors, and swimming) and you have a smallish camper or tent, Dogwood might be your thing.
Bathrooms are located in the center of the loop closer to the loop entrance.Bathroom on Mag Loop
The Mag Loop has a playground area and a bathroom in the center of the loop. Although we didn’t use the bathrooms, I went into the women’s side to get photos for campers who may need to use the facilities. The bathroom is located closer to the entrance / beginning of the loop, with the playground further toward the top of the loop.
Just for Fun… What’s For Dinner?
Camping food is kept simple. Grilled chicken with veggies in foil. With wine of course!
GrillingSimple camping food
Have you ever camped at O’Leno? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
