Leon Sinks Geological Area

Florida Panhandle


More than 6 miles of trails and boardwalks marked with interpretive signs wind past sinks and swamps in this fascinating place. Be sure to stay on the trails, as the karst is still evolving, and new sinkholes could appear any time. At Big Dismal Sink you’ll see ferns, dogwoods and dozens of other lush plants descending its steep walls.

The sinks are at the eastern end of Apalachicola National Forest, just west of US 319, about 10 miles south of Tallahassee.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Florida Panhandle attractions

1. Wakulla Springs State Park

5.51 MILES

Glowing an otherworldly aqua and overhung with Spanish moss, the natural spring at the center of this 6000-acre state park feels like something from the…

2. Tallahassee Museum

7.14 MILES

Occupying 52 acres of pristine manicured gardens and wilderness on the outskirts of Tallahassee, near the airport, this wonderful natural-history museum…

3. Silver Lake

7.6 MILES

You can sunbathe on the white-sand shores or swim in the waters of this gorgeous lake, surrounded by cypress groves, palmetto fronds, hardwood hammock and…

4. Meek-Eaton Black Archives

9.05 MILES

The Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center & Museum was a forerunner in research on African American influence on US history and culture…

5. Museum of Florida History

9.72 MILES

Florida's history is splayed out in fun, crisp exhibits, from mastodon skeletons to Florida's Paleo-Indians and Spanish shipwrecks, the Civil War to 'tin…

6. Florida State Capitol

9.77 MILES

The stark and imposing 22-story Florida State Capitol's top-floor observation deck affords 360-degree views of the city. In session the capitol is a hive…

7. Florida State University

9.81 MILES

A liberal-arts school of more than 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Florida State University specializes in sciences, computing and performing…

8. Florida Historic Capitol Museum

9.82 MILES

Adorned with candy-striped awnings and topped with a reproduction of its original glass dome, the 1902 Florida capitol building now houses an interesting…