Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Florida, USA

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park combines formal gardens with wooded lake trails in Tallahassee. Choose the garden paths for a short visit, or allow more time for the Lake Overstreet trail system. Lake Hall has a separate recreation area.

Highlights

Explore the historic ornamental gardens and brick paths.
Walk or cycle the wooded Lake Overstreet routes.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Topic	Details
Entrance fees	Park admission is USD 6 per vehicle for up to eight people, USD 4 for a single-occupant vehicle, or USD 2 for pedestrians, cyclists and extra passengers. January–April garden entry costs an additional USD 6 per adult or USD 3 per child aged 2–12. Check the operator fee categories before travel.
Opening hours	The park and historic gardens open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Maclay House museum opens January–April, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Confirm special-event schedules separately.
Seasonal access and closures	The recreation area operates year-round. January–April is the main blooming season, with the floral peak usually in late February. Check current access notices before planning a water activity.

Safety information

Carry drinking water, wear suitable walking shoes, and use insect protection on wooded trails. Choose a route that matches your group and the conditions.

Visit responsibly

Keep to the visitor paths around the historic landscape. Pets, food and drinks are not permitted inside the formal gardens. Working service animals are welcome throughout the park. Respect private property along the Lake Hall shoreline.

Reservations and permits

Request a guided group garden tour at least three weeks ahead. Contact the park for event and large-pavilion rental arrangements. Confirm mobility-equipment needs before the visit.

Maps, location, and access

The main visitor address is 3540 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32309. The state management plan describes access from US 319 north of I-10. Confirm the appropriate entrance for your activity; the formal gardens and trail system serve different visits.

Nearby parks

Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park is another Tallahassee stop, at 3600 Indian Mounds Road.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is a longer regional drive south of Tallahassee, to Wakulla Springs.

Things to do

Take a garden walk to see seasonal flowers and the designed landscape.
Use the Lake Overstreet routes for a longer walk or bike ride. Keep the lake itself for wildlife and scenic viewing; fishing is not allowed there.
Plan a Lake Hall picnic or paddle from its recreation area. Confirm water access before bringing equipment.

Facilities and accessibility

Lake Hall has picnic pavilions, a launch, restrooms, changing rooms and a rinsing shower. Restrooms also serve the garden entrance, and water fountains and a bottle-refill station are available. Ask at the ranger station about a manual wheelchair, motorized scooter or audio tour. Golf-cart tours require advance notice. The operator facility guide gives the options; confirm equipment and route suitability before arrival.

About this park

History

Alfred B. and Louise Maclay began planting the gardens in 1923 after buying the property as a winter home. Louise donated the original property to Florida in 1953. The Lake Overstreet addition followed in 1994. The state management plan records this history.

Wildlife and habitat

Wooded ravines and freshwater lakes support varied wildlife. The operator reports white-tailed deer, bobcats and alligators. Watch from a distance and leave animals undisturbed.

Contact

Call 850-487-4556. The official park website provides visitor notices and event details.

	Temp max	Temp min	Rain	Snow
Jan	17 °C 63 °F	7 °C 45 °F	88 mm 3.5 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Feb	19 °C 66 °F	10 °C 50 °F	90 mm 3.5 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Mar	22 °C 72 °F	12 °C 54 °F	94 mm 3.7 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Apr	26 °C 79 °F	15 °C 59 °F	94 mm 3.7 in	0 mm 0.0 in
May	30 °C 86 °F	19 °C 66 °F	68 mm 2.7 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Jun	31 °C 88 °F	22 °C 72 °F	165 mm 6.5 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Jul	32 °C 90 °F	23 °C 73 °F	166 mm 6.5 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Aug	31 °C 88 °F	23 °C 73 °F	157 mm 6.2 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Sep	30 °C 86 °F	22 °C 72 °F	110 mm 4.3 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Oct	27 °C 81 °F	17 °C 63 °F	54 mm 2.1 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Nov	22 °C 72 °F	12 °C 54 °F	60 mm 2.4 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Dec	19 °C 66 °F	10 °C 50 °F	97 mm 3.8 in	0 mm 0.0 in

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Florida, USA - map and visitor information