Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

These beautiful ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923 by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay after they purchased the property for their winter home.

Lake Hall provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Boats without gas-powered motors are allowed. Pavilions and grills along the lakeshore provide the perfect setting for a picnic.

For walking enthusiasts, two short nature trails meander through the woods overlooking the lake. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy six miles of shared-use trails and five miles of designated biking trails winding through the woods surrounding Lake Overstreet, located on park property adjoining the gardens.

Peak blooming season is from January 1 through April 30, with the floral peak in mid-to-late March. During these months, a special fee is charged for visiting the gardens and the historic Maclay House.

Experiences

Bicycling
The Lake Overstreet portion of the park offers approximately five miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding. These trails afford views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine system that rivals those of North Georgia. In addition, approximately three miles of designated bike trails provide scenic biking on the Overstreet property. Lake Overstreet is for use by wildlife only, and for scenic viewing by people. The park offers a limited number of bicycles for rent. Check for availability at the Ranger Station as you enter the park. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists, and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Fishing
Largemouth bass, bream and bluegill are caught in Lake Hall. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required. Fishing is not allowed in Lake Overstreet. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.

A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geo-Seeking

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment, and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.

Hiking
The Big Pine and Boy Scout nature trails meander through the wooded hillsides overlooking Lake Hall. Novice hikers could expect to walk the distance of either trail in less than one hour. Multi-use trails on the Lake Overstreet portion of the park provide over 5 miles for hiking or jogging.

Horseback Riding
The Lake Overstreet portion of the park offers approximately five miles of multi-use trails that can be used for hiking, biking or horseback riding. These trails afford views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine system that rivals those of North Georgia. Lake Overstreet is for use by wildlife only, and for scenic viewing by people.

Mountain Biking
The Lake Overstreet portion of the park offers approximately five miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding. These trails afford views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine system that rivals those of North Georgia. In addition, approximately three miles of designated bike trails provide scenic biking on the Overstreet property. Lake Overstreet is for use by wildlife only, and for scenic viewing by people. The park offers a limited number of bicycles for rent. Check for availability at the Ranger Station as you enter the park. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists, and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Paddling
Lake Hall is excellent for kayaking, paddle boating, using small sailboats and canoeing for those with experience. Only boats without motors or with electric motors are allowed. Visitors are reminded that most of the lake's shoreline is private property. Please respect the property of others. The park offers a limited number of kayaks for rent. Check for availability at the Ranger Station as you enter the park.

Picnicking
The picnic area overlooking Lake Hall is the most picturesque in North Florida with a large picnic pavilion available for rental. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Swimming
Maclay Gardens State Park has a designated swimming area located at Lake Hall. This freshwater lake has a sandy beach that offers park guests a cool dip to escape the Florida heat. The park’s recreation area also has a rinsing shower, pavilions, picnic tables and restroom with changing rooms.

Walking and Running
The Big Pine and Boy Scout nature trails meander through the wooded hillsides overlooking Lake Hall. Novice hikers could expect to walk the distance of either trail in less than one hour. Multi-use trails on the Lake Overstreet portion of the park provide over 5 miles for hiking or jogging.

Wildlife Viewing
Maclay Gardens is home to a variety of Florida wildlife, including white tail deer, bobcat and alligators. Various species of fish and reptiles inhabit Lake Hall and Lake Overstreet, and birds of all shapes and sizes can be found throughout the entire year.

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all of its visitors.

Those amenities include:

Audio tour
Beach Mobi-mat
Beach wheelchair
Golf cart tour with advance notice
Motorized wheelchair and manual wheelchair

Boat Ramp
Launching site is located on the bank of Lake Hall recreation area.

Canoe Kayak Launch
Launching site is located on the bank of Lake Hall recreation area.

Equestrian Trail
The Lake Overstreet portion of the park offers approximately five miles of multi-use trails that can be used for hiking, biking or horseback riding. These trails afford views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine system that rivals those of North Georgia. Lake Overstreet is for use by wildlife only, and for scenic viewing by people.

Historic Site
The 1909 Maclay House has been furnished to appear as during the residence of the Maclays. The house is open for tours during high blooming season from January through April.

Gardens
First planted in 1923, the gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park are a floral masterpiece. Hundreds of camellias and azaleas mix with dogwoods, magnolias and a variety of other trees for a spectacular array of blooms from December through April. The gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, a secret garden, a reflection pool and a walled garden. The visitor center has two videos relating to the history of the Maclay family and of the park for your watching pleasure. An audio tour is also available upon request at the Ranger Station. The visitor center has a manual wheelchair and a motorized chair for traveling into the garden paths. Please request use of the wheelchair and motorized chair at the Ranger Station. A golf cart tour is also available with advance notice.

Museum
The 1909 Maclay House has been furnished to appear as during the residence of the Maclays. The house is open for tours during high blooming season from January through April.

Nature Trail
The Big Pine and Boy Scout nature trails meander through the wooded hillsides overlooking Lake Hall. Novice hikers could expect to walk the distance of either trail in less than one hour. Multi-use trails on the Lake Overstreet portion of the park provide over 5 miles for hiking or jogging.

Picnic Pavilion
The picnic area overlooking Lake Hall offers one large pavilion and several small pavilions on a first come-first served basis. The large picnic pavilion is available for rental. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. The large picnic pavilion has an accessible sidewalk that can be used from the unloading zone to the pavilion with ease.

Playground
There is a playground at the Lake Hall Recreation area with benches and state-of-the-art equipment.

Visitor Center
The visitor center has two videos relating to the history of the Maclay family and of the park for your watching pleasure. An audio tour is also available upon request at the Ranger Station. The visitor center has a manual wheelchair and a motorized chair for traveling into the garden paths. Please request use of the wheelchair and motorized chair at the Ranger Station. A golf cart tour is also available with advance notice.