Tag: Florida State Parks

First Time Camping at Mike Roess Campground

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 (whole long name of this place is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch) so my son could attend the Gatornationals – NHRA drag racing- in Gainesville. This Florida state park campground is located in northern Florida in Keystone Heights, to the east of Gainesville.

Our Site #14 Sandhill Loop

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
Campsite #14 (left) is close
Camping in florida
A day without neighbors
campsite at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch
Site #14
Campsite #14 in Sandhill Loop
Mike Roess campground site #14

About 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. The Lake and Sandhill Loops are far apart in separate areas of the campground.

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.

camping with cats
Skittle in the screen house

Mike Roess campground offers lots of trails, roads, hills and lakes. It’s a pretty sweet place. Many parts of this large campground were built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) back in the 1930’s.

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.

lake swimming area campground
Swimming area at Mike Roess Gold Head state park in Florida

Cabins and Tent Camping

Down the road, beyond the Sandhill 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.

Lake view by cabins
Cabin at Mike Roess Gold Head
Cabins
Tent camping area
Tent 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 State Park Campground, 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. (On a later visit to this park I found another gorgeous thistle plant.)

The gopher tortoise headed to his hole as I passed by while walking on the road.

loblolly trail
loblolly trail
walking trail at campground
Trail toward the lake
thistle pink flower
Beautiful thistle flower
flooded trail
Flooded trail
gopher tortoise
Gopher 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.

Mike Roess ravine area
Ravine stairs
Ravine 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.

Campground at Mike Roess Gold Head state park in north Florida.
RV camping in the Sandhill Loop

Have you camped at Mike Roess Gold Head campground?

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Camping at O’Leno State Park

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.

Dirt road through campground
camping
Grand design Imagine RV camping
arriving to camp
Rain came as we arrived at the campground
camp site at O’Leno State park
Our campsite
Campsites along dirt road

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
Site #6 has access to a wooded trail
campsite with two tables

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.

River swimming and suspension bridge
Swimming area in the river
suspension bridge closed
Santa Fe river in High Springs Florida
bike and walking trail at O’Leno campground
Rough trail for biking
Santa Fe river at O'Leno
River swimming and picnic area
Santa 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.

Florida wooded trail with bridge.
cypress trees
Big Cypress trees along the Santa Fe
Florida walking trail
Walking trail to the river sink.
Santa Fe river sink
Trail that leads past the “sink”
caution alligators
Yes, alligators are in fresh water
The 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.

Limestone Trail sign
Sign at Limestone Trail
Limestone quarry
Limestone 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!

See the park map here.

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.

Bathroom building in center of Mag Loop.
Bathrooms are located in the center of the loop closer to the loop entrance.
bathroom sinks and toilet stall
Bathroom on Mag Loop
women’s shower stall

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!

camping grilling
Grilling
Camping food
Simple camping food

Have you ever camped at O’Leno? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Camping at Florida’s Beautiful State Parks

camping trailer art
Vintage RV camper art by arti1st @ Zazzle

Most people I know visit Florida by plane.  They stay at an expensive resort in Disney World or in a condo at the beach (or both) and then head home.  Not only is that type of vacation quite costly, it means that the best parts of Florida (in my opinion) have been missed.

Of course, if you are not an outdoorsy type of person, you may be very happy to skip a trip to a state park, or chance to kayak on a river.  Campers have adventurous blood running through their veins, and they know how to find adventure while saving their cash.

As you get ready to plan your camping vacation in Florida, just remember that it is hot there.  Most of the year it is very hot, with no cool down at night either.  Camping with the luxury of air conditioning is the way to go, if you ask me, but to each his, or her, own.

When planning your trip, a great place to start is the Welcome to Florida State Parks site.  This website is full of great information about the many parks all over the state as well as the variety of campsites available.  Some places have facilities for horses and some are for boat hookups, so you can “camp” in your boat as you travel.  Some are right on the ocean, with beaches just a few steps away.  If you are truly adventurous and prefer seclusion, look for a location in the Primitive Camping area.  (You own snakebite proof boots, right?)

Navigating the site is easy.  View a state map and choose the area you plan to visit, then click on the links there.   More specific information is given on each specific park page.  I like the looks of Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach.  Park the camper right on the dunes with the ocean on one side and the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) on the other.

** At the time of writing this, there are alert notices for certain parks, and one of them (Blue Springs) is familiar to me, so I looked it up.  The notice is because the manatees have come into the spring area early so the spring has been closed for swimming.  Of course going there to view the manatees is allowed.

Camping is one of the best ways to visit the real Florida.  These are the beautiful places that Disney lovers never venture out to see.   And they are really missing out.

P.S.  Disney has camping too.
(The postcard image is from art1st’s store @ Zazzle)