De Leon Springs State Park

DeLeon Spring State Park is 625 acres, with an OGFN recognized old-growth area of 5-10 acres.

The oldest bald cypress tree, Old Methuselah, is estimated to be over 500 years old. It’s d.b.h measures 108” and is located on the north side of the park. There is a new boardwalk that was constructed in 2025 that allows visitors to view the tree without causing erosion and trampling of vegetation, that leads visitors to view the tree that escaped the cypress timbering era. You may see younger but still impressive live oaks even in the parking lot, but there’s a nice mix of large trees out on the trails, including cypresses, a variety of pines, live oaks, and red maples, among others. This area would be considered as a tropical hardwood hammock forest type. There are 262.82 acres of Hydric Hammock Forest among other natural communities including Xeric Hammock, Cypress Swamps, Depression Marsh, Upland Mixed Forest, Mesic Flatwoods, Shell Mound and even an Aquatic Cave. Some of these areas are not in public use areas.