Join ACT staff for a hike under the full moon and starlit night sky. Spaces are limited so please RSVP to reserve your spot.
WHAT TO BRING
Wear comfy clothes, water, and anything you need to take a hike in the moonlight.
WHEN
Saturday, January 25th, 2025
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
WHERE
19865 N US Hwy 441, Micanopy, FL 32667
If travelling from Gainesville, head South on U.S. 441 towards Ocala and through the Town of McIntosh. There will be a Dollar General on your right and just past that, you will see two buildings and a windmill on the left.
If travelling from Ocala, head North on U.S. 441 towards Gainesville and right before the Town of McIntosh, you will see two buildings and a windmill on your right. If you drive through McIntosh, you have gone too far.
ABOUT THE PRESERVE
Located just south of McIntosh, FL on U.S. 441, the historical significance of Orange Lake Overlook (OLO) dates back to the 16th Century when it was utilized by the Timucua Indians for the village of Potano. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it became part of Florida’s prestigious agricultural scene. The entire 300-acre hill was planted with citrus, and in the 1950s, the little buildings and mill on top of the hill became the Ollie Huff Citrus Shop and packing house.
For over 30 years, O.D. “Buddy” Huff Jr. managed the groves, while his wife, Ollie, ran the orange shop, which offered fresh-squeezed orange juice to travelers passing through North Central Florida. The groves suffered a setback in 1983 from a hard freeze and were re-planted only to be decimated by a second hard freeze in 1984. Following Buddy’s death in 1984, the Huff family left the citrus business and leased the land for cattle grazing.
The now abandoned citrus shop, former packing shed, and stunning view has served as a hub for a wide range of artists and has acted as a catalyst for conserving some of the best views of “old Florida,” or real Florida, in the region through their artwork. With the threat of residential development of the land, the local community rallied to save the overlook, supporting efforts by Alachua Conservation Trust to purchase 71-acres of land and the remaining structures.
ACCESS INFO
Orange Lake Overlook provides public trails for hiking, bicycling, and nature observation.
The trails are unpaved and in some places can be muddy, uneven, or wet.
Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.
The preserve closes at dark.
Note that OLO’s trails include steep inclines and declines.
REGISTRATION
Contact Alachua Conservation Trust by email at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org to RSVP or for more information. Spaces are limited so please RSVP to reserve your spot.
