Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park

Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is a true classic, centered on the deep ravine from which waters bubble to form Gold Head Branch. This fern-lined grotto, encircled by a nature trail, is filled with tiny springs and feeder streams that come together in a symphony of clear water that, over the millennia, dug a deep valley now filled with deep shade. The surrounding sandhills are a very different place, more open and punctured by deep lakes formed inside sinkholes. This is a family-oriented park, with two campgrounds anchoring swimming and canoeing activities on Little Lake ...

Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is a true classic, centered on the deep ravine from which waters bubble to form Gold Head Branch. This fern-lined grotto, encircled by a nature trail, is filled with tiny springs and feeder streams that come together in a symphony of clear water that, over the millennia, dug a deep valley now filled with deep shade. The surrounding sandhills are a very different place, more open and punctured by deep lakes formed inside sinkholes. This is a family-oriented park, with two campgrounds anchoring swimming and canoeing activities on Little Lake Johnson, where an exhibit about the Civilian Conservation Corps explains their influence on Florida’s state park system. Cabin rentals include cozy, original CCC log cabins as well as more modern, ADA-accessible log homes perched above the lake. Several miles of hiking trails snake through the park, and the park road is a popular place for families to bicycle together.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.