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Florida
301

Florida State Parks

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USA Parks
Florida
North Central Region
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
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Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Park sign
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © ThreeIfByBike / CC BY-SA 2.0
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © Tim Ross / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee FL, USA Lake Hall in background
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park NRHP plaque
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park © Bibby / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Reflection pool at Maclay Gardens
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ALFRED B. MACLAY GARDENS STATE PARK
ALFRED B. MACLAY GARDENS STATE PARK
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida   32309

Phone: 850-487-4556
These beautiful ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923 by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay after they purchased the property for their winter home. A masterpiece of floral architecture, the gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, a secret garden, a reflection pool, a walled garden, and hundreds of azaleas and camellias. Lake Hall provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Only boats without motors or with electric motors are allowed. Pavilions and grills along the lake shore 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 five miles of multi-use trails winding through the woods surrounding Lake Overstreet, located on park property adjoining the gardens. High blooming season is from January 1-April 30 with the floral peak in mid-to-late March. During these months, the Maclay house is usually open daily, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The park is Located one-half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319.
Nature of the Area
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.
History of the Area
Alfred B. Maclay, a New York financier, purchased the property in 1923 for his winter home. He and wife Louise developed extensive gardens on-site until Alfred's death in 1944. In 1953, Mrs.Maclay donated part of their estate to Florida as a state park named after her husband. The remaining area was given over by son George Jr., expanding it further into what is now known as Lake Overstreet trail system.

Passes
Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.
Swimming
Swimming

Swimming is available in designated areas of Lake Hall Recreation Area.
Boating
Boat Ramp

A boat ramp is available. Gasoline motors cannot be used from the park boat ramp.
Canoeing
Canoeing & Kayaking

Lake Hall is excellent for canoeing, kayaking, and small sailboats. Only boats without motors or with electric motors are allowed. Visitors are reminded that most of the lake's shoreline is private. Please respect the property of others.
Fishing
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.


Location
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is located near Havana, Tallahassee

Day Use Area
Playground

There is a playground within the park, which has state of the art equipment and benches to sit on.
Horse Area
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. 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.
Picnicking
Picnicking

The picnic area overlooking Lake Hall is the most picturesque in north Florida with a large picnic pavilion available for rental.
Bicycling
Bicycling

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. 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.
Guided Tours
Garden Tours

Self-guided garden tours are aided by a Gardens Walking Tour brochure, available at the Ranger Station. Guided group tours are available upon request, with a three weeks notice to allow for scheduling. During the peak blooming period, guided tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, depending upon availability of staffing and volunteers.
Trails
Nature Trails

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 of trails for hiking or jogging.
Birding
The park offers birding opportunities with over 160 species recorded. It features a diverse range of habitats including lakes, woodlands and gardens which attract different types of birds throughout the year. Birders can spot waterfowl on Lake Hall or songbirds in the woodland areas during migration season. The garden's flowering plants also draw hummingbirds and butterflies.


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Area Campgrounds
Tallahassee RV Park
6504 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL
850-878-7641
Big Oak RV Park
4024 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL
850-562-4660
Lakeside Travel Park
6401 West Tennessee Street
Tallahassee, FL
850-574-5998
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Sweet Magnolia Inn - Saint Marks, FL
BBs / Inns
Our historic inn is located in historic Saint Marks, one of the oldest settlements in North America. First settled in 1527, Saint Marks is a historic little city at the confluence of the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge, it is located just 20 miles south of Tallahassee.
24.7 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com
Pets
- Pets must be kept on a handheld leash that is six feet or shorter at all times.
- Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of waste in trash receptacles.
- Pets, excluding service animals, are not allowed inside any buildings within the park premises.
- Dogs should have current rabies vaccinations; proof may be requested by Park staff members.
- Aggressive behavior from pets will not be tolerated; such instances could result in expulsion from the park area.
- Noisy or disruptive pets might need to leave if they disturb other visitors' peaceful enjoyment of the park facilities.
- Pets cannot enter designated swimming areas including beaches and surrounding waters under Florida law regulations.
- Dogs can only swim in non-designated bathing areas while still remaining leashed for safety reasons.


Directions
Directions from Tallahassee, Florida to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park:

- Start on Monroe St heading north.
- Turn right onto John Knox Rd.
- Continue straight until you reach Thomasville Road and turn left.
- Keep going for approximately 1 mile then make a slight right onto Maclay Road.

From Jacksonville, Florida:

- Begin by getting on I -95 S from N Ocean St
- Follow FL - 9B S and US -301S to SE Hawthorne Rd in Gainesville
- Get on I -75 South
- Take exit 384 for FL -24 toward Archer/Gainesville
- Use the middle lane to keep left at the fork follow signs of Interstate Highway/Interstate highway
- Turn Right into SW Williston road/SW Wacahoota road continue following SW williston rd
- Follow NW County RD till NE state route
- Take Us Hwy North /US Route south towards E Noble Ave
- Slight Left unto East noble Avenue
- Merge with SR100 West via ramp leading towards Starke
- Destination is located within your vicinity

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Florida
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Florida State Parks

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