Leon Sinks Geological Area is a National Natural Landmark in Leon County, Florida. The area is known for its sinkholes and caves. Leon Sinks has over 30 sinkholes, the largest of which is Devil’s Millhopper.
The area is also home to several rare plants and animals and is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, and camping.
Visitors can also tour some of the caves with a guide.
It is a fully-fledged karstic landscape on the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Leon Sinks Geological Area is one of the most substantial sunken cave systems in the universe. It attaches to Wakulla Springs.
It is right off US 319 south of Tallahassee.
It consists of five miles of trails directing to a sequence of karst topography big and small.
The ground in this area is carried by a veneer of mechanical sedimentary lock, wearied away and broken down by rains and the underground water to make tunnels, holes, and ditches.
This type of terrain is known as “karst” and brings about several geological characteristics like wet sinkholes, ditches, and natural bridges, and a stream that disappears.
Many well-wishers made the trails and promenade within reach for your entertainment.
The visitors need to assist in the maintenance of this unique geological makeup by staying on the trails.
Things to do in Leon Sinks Geological Area
There are a lot of fun activities that you can enjoy in the Leon Sinks Geological Area, some of the activities include:
- Walking and hiking during the day if you want to walk around the area can take either the 3.6-mile Sinkhole Trail to view the many sinkholes and geological characteristics.
- There is also the 2.8-mile Gum Swamp Trail around a cypress and gum swamp.
- The 0.5- mile Crossover Trail joins the two trails for a full 4.4-mile outer curve.
- Creation site viewing: While trekking through the geographical area, it is advisable to peep for gopher tortoises, deer, turkey, hawks, raccoons, reptiles like snakes, and salamanders. It is also a great chance to learn more about karst geology.
Sinkholes in Leon Sinks
Over some years in the past, the residents in Tallahassee had been able to see sinkholes of various sizes, some of the occurrences of the sinkholes include, January 1962.
This was a huge, egg-shaped hole that was opened at the west side area of the men’s gym of Florida State University. There was also another incidence of the sinkhole that occurred at Carson Drive in May 2014.
Boat Ride at Leon Sinks Geological Area
Some years back, the visitors could take a glass-bottomed boat ride across Wakulla Springs, exactly a few miles to the southern part of Leon Sinks.
The water clarity is now contaminated with nitrate. The nitrate is from the oozing septic tanks to lawn fertilizer works that are drained in the Woodville Karst Plain.
The Leon Sinks is a common characteristic, of one of the biggest springs in the universe.
At Leon Sinks, you will be able to see pools of water in various colors at the bottom of deep sinkholes. You can look right into a watery cave, view the aqua disappear in a losing stream, and view it appear again in a river rise.
The trail system is bumpy but entertaining.
It is full of botanical beauty, mainly in early spring!
Camping in Leon Sinks Geological Area
Camping is not allowed at Leon Sinks. The trail characteristics contain two loops-the 3.1-mile Sinkhole Trail that is blazed color blue and the 2.3-mile gum Swamp Trail that is flared up lime green and a 0.5-mile cross-trail that they twain share to make their loops.
It is good to inspect the guiding data at the beginning before the beginning of your hike.
Why is Leon Sinks Geological Area Closed?
The Leon Sinks Geological Area is presently closed to members of the public. This is because of the defective state of the footpath and gives over trail features. They are fully not secure for public use. The systematic failure of these neglect of these characteristics is connected to the neglect and aging of the managed agile that was utilized in the past.
Campgrounds and lodging near Leon Sinks
If you want to camp in Leon Sinks Geological Area there are several sites to do so. One of them is the Historic Wakulla Springs Lodge which is located 9 miles from Leon Sinks at Wakulla Springs State Park.
It was constructed in the 1930s. it consists of 27 guest rooms, each one of them with a well-spaced marble bathroom, walk-in closet, and antique or period furniture. Attempt the sauteed green tomatoes in the Edward Ball Dining Room.
- The Newport (Wakulla County) Campground is 18 miles. County-run campground with 26 sites, together with eight with full hookups that are cost $27 per night. They’re also six with water and electricity at $22 per night and 12 primitive sites that cost 11 dollars per night. Bathhouse and dump station.
- The Shell Island Fish Camp is 18 miles. The sites have water and electricity, a covered picnic table, and a dump station site. We welcome motor homes, campers, and tenants. Rates are $30 per night for campers and $15 per night for the tents. There are also cabins and motels available.
- Big Oak Park is located 19 miles away and a Private RV Park with 117 spaces within easy reach for nocturnal camping, gravel base, 30/50 amps, WIFI is also available and restrooms, showers, and laundry.
The camping site is open the whole year. pets are also permitted in the park and tents are not permitted in the park and folding campers are allowed.
You can make your bookings online.
Loop hiking at Leon Sinks Geological Area
Hiking at Leon Sinks Geological Area is another fascinating thing to do.
The Crossover trail in the Natural Bridge is the best. If you have limited time to hike, this is one of the best places where you will take the shortest time possible.
The round trip cat excludes stops and a sight-see should use approximately an hour.
The hike will lead you to Gopher Hole, over a boardwalk that cuts across a gun tree swamp, and to the attractive Natural Bridge area.
If you have some more time, be sure to hike the whole large loop, when it opens back up.
Wrapping Up…
Leon Sinks Geological Area is a great place to explore if you’re looking for something different. With its sinkholes and caves, the area is full of surprises.
Be sure to check it out next time you’re in Florida!
