Leon Sinks Geological Area

Karst Landscape Features

This unique natural site is located in the Apalachicola National Forest, just south of Tallahassee, Florida. The area showcases the distinctive karst topography of the region, characterized by limestone bedrock that has been eroded over time by water, creating an array of geological features.

The most notable feature is Big Dismal Sink, which is the largest and deepest sinkhole in the area. Visitors can also observe a disappearing stream and a natural bridge among the numerous wet and dry sinkholes that dot the landscape.

Trail System

The park covers approximately 5 miles of trails, leading visitors through sinkholes of varying sizes and depths. Some sinkholes are filled with aquamarine water, offering a striking visual contrast to the surrounding forest.

Educational signage along the trails provides information about the geological processes that formed the sinkholes and the local ecology. The area serves as an outdoor classroom for those interested in karst landscapes and the unique ecosystems they support.

Underground Connections

Leon Sinks is part of an extensive underwater cave system that connects to Wakulla Springs, forming one of the largest known underwater cave systems in the world. While cave diving is prohibited for safety reasons, the surface features provide ample opportunity for geological study and appreciation.

Flora and Fauna

The park's ecosystem supports a diverse array of plant and animal life. The trails wind through longleaf pine forests, beech-magnolia forests, and cypress swamps.

Wildlife in the area includes gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, various bird species, and occasionally black bears.