This was a fun walk around a garden that must have seen better days - or today was a dry day. We had fun, it was an old quarry where the owner envisioned and created a cool upper and lower path around and filled with some water, waterfalls, koi fish, swans, ducks, turtles, and oodles of plants: some unique some local- and even a Japanese stile garden with Tori gate et all. Today we didn't see the center fountain many admired, and sadly the water levels must have been low as the cascades were thin (at best). Nonetheless- we had a good time walking about and spotting an old bonsai tree, some Japanese-style bridges, and even a slithering water snake! How exciting!! In all it was a fun stop that broke our long drive from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale, so we had a good time. Entrance fee was a bit steep at $ 12 (for what was offered imho) and there is a veteran/military discounted admission ($6)but make sure you have your DD214 or Retired ID to show or else you will Not qualify. Enjoy! read more

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My friend and I went last weekend and had a nice visit. We arrived early, so dirt parking was easy, and the park wasn't too crowded. Parking was free but you pay to enter the park. Once you've paid, they hand you a map and recommend you go in numerical order, because that will take you all around the park, combining both upper and lower levels. We mostly saw azaleas in bloom, with the occasional ginger flower. Later in the season they will also have roses, and a wider variety of flowers. There were lots of cool man-made water features like waterfalls, and a big fountain at the center of the property. There is a large turtle, penned in, but other than the cows we saw near the entrance, that's the only animal. All in all it's a nice park, although it seems like it's more for just walking a full lap around rather than hanging out and spending the day. read more

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What a gorgeous park for people to visit! A former quarry, this is now a tierd garden of beautiful flora and fauna. The fountain at the bottom is truly the centerpiece. At Christmas they did a gorgeous job of lighting up in holiday lights. And if you're like me, You go looking for painted rocks ala the Kindness rocks project. read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

WOW this place is beyond out of this world!! It is right next to Devil's Den and glad came to check this place out. The man who started this and built this started small and became this big thing. Must see in person. Feels like you are in Japan. It is so beautiful and peaceful. Great place to take lots of photos and enjoy it like you are in another country read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - waterfall - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

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This is a very nice botanical gardens/park in Williston, FL about 45 mins from Ocala. It is very nice. The parking and the entrance is a dirt road and is pretty easy to access. We went on a very cold day unfortunately unprepared because it was almost 90 degrees in Tampa, FL. However, the park was still enjoyable and nice. At the front desk you pay parking is free but admission is charged and they give you a map and they suggest you to go in numerical order (1-35). The park is very beautiful. It has about 2 waterfalls and a gigantic pool-like lake. Nice and beautiful botanical gardens and trails. read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Map - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

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An excellent attraction north of Ocala. Beautuful grounds. We were able to navigate the entire upper " recommended path" other than one spot with a stepping stone over a brook that feeds a waterfall, for which she walked. Very amusing tortoise played with balls, was naughty and washed his feet in his water bowl. Emily at admissions was very pleasant and informative. Peaceful and serene. All the walls and walkways must have been very challenging to scaffold and supply. Bargain admission, worth every penny, as opposed to the rip off Orlando theme parks. 21 miles or so from the superb Silver Springs glass bottom boats, so one could fill an entire day in this area. These are rustic walls, paths, and plantings, not a formal garden of flowers, and they really do it well. read more

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One of my favorite day trips in Florida. One hour from Ocala. It feels like a hiking trip so wear closed toes shoes, bring water bottles, and even a backpack to pack snacks. Some spots are up very high with a long drop and railing a small child could easily slip under. I wouldn't recommend this place for toddlers under 4. Lots of unique plants, trees, flowers to look at. You can see cats, swans, turkeys, lots of koi fish and tortoises. I do not recommend the taco truck that shows up by the entrance- worst tacos I've ever had. read more

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A lovely garden made from a limestone quarry. I recently visited Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens in Williston, Florida. It is a hidden gem in the middle of Florida. They have converted a 110-year-old abandoned limestone quarry to a stunning 20-acre botanical paradise. The vision and decades of hard work by Dr. Raymond Webber turned a former industrial site, originally used to supply rock for nearby highways, into a very nice, peaceful oasis that feels worlds away from everyday life. It is pretty easy to find and has good signage as you approach the entrance. Parking is easy in a large open field right outside the entrance. Once inside, the shack with a volunteer to explain the garden, give you a map and take your money is just tot he left of the walkway. The map has numbered stops along the way which match up with small signs at ground level. The garden unfolds across multiple levels, offering both upper and lower views that show off the dramatic quarry walls, unique colors, and surrounding landscape. I enjoyed the koi ponds, wooden bridges, and winding paths that give you good views throughout the gardens. I really liked the small waterfall you can actually walk behind. It had the added benefit of providing a cool, refreshing retreat on a warm Florida day. Another neat feature was the majestic old oak tree (reportedly over 500 years old according to the sign). The views are from teh upper or lower section. spectacular whether you're looking down from the upper level or wandering the lower paths. Overall, Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a wonderful example of environmental reclamation and creative landscaping. The staff was wonderful. It offered lots of peaceful and visually pleasing picture opportunities. Whether you're a plant lover, nature photographer, or just looking for a relaxing day trip, I think this place is well worth the visit. Highly recommended--I'll definitely be returning! read more

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I was lucky enough to win 2 free entries to Cedar Lakes botanical gardens and I'm so glad I did! I would not have found this place otherwise. I took a friend that has lived in Gainesville for decades and she didn't know about it. We went first thing when they opened because it was going to be a really hot day. We appreciated all the trees and shade. She brought her dog on its leash and she had fun exploring too! It was quite the feat to turn the quarry into this wonderful floral landscape. We loved it in the summer. I can only imagine how wonderful it is in the spring! It can take as little or as much time as you would like and there are benches and a pavilion to stop at along the way. I'll be back again! read more

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What a beautiful spot. We definitely would not have just happened upon it. My son was looking for a place to take pictures, did a search, and found the place. Well worth the drive from Spring Hill. Plenty of parking. The staff at the admissions gate were very friendly and helpful. The grounds are beautiful. The plants, so diverse. Everything from the tiniest flowers to 500-year-old Spanish oak; Japanese garden to an orchard; and cacti to koi. The walking trails are well-maintained, and easy to follow. The map is helpful, but not really even required. This was a fantastic place to spend a couple of hours a couple of hours just wandering outside - even in 92 degree weather. read more

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What good Florida fun! Adventuring about these woods and gardens in and around this converted old quarry is about as exciting as it gets so far as gardens go. You might want to check any fear of heights or vertigo at the front door; was a touch much for one of us :) Withstanding, was some fun hiking the quarry and exploring all there is to see; cacti greenhouse, various points of interest, waterfalls, resident tortoise, and the like. Made sense to buy the membership, given you get 50% off nearby Kanapaha and I think returning within the year's a good possiblity. Light snacks and some beverages available at the front office. Shopped the plant sale. Was fun. read more

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I stopped here after going to Devils den in the morning. There looked like there were a lot of cars but it is so spread out it didn't feel like there were a lot of people or overly crowded. The gardens are about a mile walk of absolute beauty! I had such a great time, and I am so glad we added the stop before heading to lunch! It was quite hot so I was glad I brought my water bottle with me. The highlight for me was the end with a magnificent 500 year old tree. read more

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Such a beautiful and peaceful escape! This botanical garden offers a stunning mile-long self-guided at your pace tour filled with vibrant flowers, unique plants, and plenty of hidden gems along the way. It was not only relaxing, but also pretty romantic for our date--perfect for a quiet stroll with someone special. Every turn had something new to see, making it a lovely experience from start to finish. Pictures just don't do it justice to be honest. Go check it out for sureeeee read more

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Such a beautiful park with Japanese inspired plants. Tons of beautiful flowers, old trees, turtles, swans, and koi fish. A great place to just walk and enjoy nature read more

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Cedar Lakes was on my Florida bucket list and it didn't disappoint. The grounds are easy to walk. Every turn is more breathtaking than the next. There's waterfalls, bridges, gardens and koi ponds. The grounds are well kept. If you plan to visit it takes about an hour and a half or so to see the grounds. Well worth the visit. read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

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This was a wonderful experience, staff was friendly at the entrance. It is a self guided tour with an easy to follow map. The water and plants are simply stunning and if you enjoy nature this is an amazing place to stop by. I loved seeing the koi fish and the cute little painted rocks you could find if you look close enough. read more

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A little torn what to say here. It is a beautiful place to explore on a sunny, nice, day which it was during my visit. The work which has gone into transforming an old quarry site into a vibrant garden is also very impressive and if you like botanical gardens, it's certainly worth visiting. However, in places it feels a bit hodge-podge. You can tell a group of private owners did this and not the State Parks or a university in that a lot of aspects are named after or dedicated to people in a way that seems nearly like an inside story (yes, university gardens do dedications too, but a bit differently) and the system of different colored rails to follow various paths I found distracting--less-intrusive blazes would have worked just as well. In places, it's an incredibly professional, well-designed, work of landscape architecture while in others you feel like you're intruding in someone's back yard and yet in others still you find dead ends and aspects of the trails that could have been laid out better. If you compare this to Rainbow Springs State Park, which began its life also as a private tourist attraction with landscaped gardens, waterfalls, et al, Cedar Lakes seems like it could have been made even more than it is, but if you step back and appreciate the hard work, diversity of plants and views here, and the fact it really is enjoyable then it seems worthwhile. All as to say it's good, but just not quite up to as good as I expected. However, it seems a work still in progress and probably destined to only improve. Some aspects like the koi ponds already though are worth coming for, as are some of the views from higher locations on these encircling trails. read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Overview of the quarry lakes and gardens. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

This botanical garden was recommended by a friend. Of course, it's winter, it was a little cool. And a lot of the flowers obviously weren't in bloom. But there was a lot of plants, and just seeing the waterfalls, i'm walking in nature.Was very soothing. It's about a mile walk around what used to be part of a limestone quarry now turned into a botanical garden nature park. Another hidden gem in williston. I would have never known it was there had someone not told me?And i'm glad they did! Definitely worth the price of admission. Folks that work there are knowledgeable and friendly. read more

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I really liked this place! Very fun to walk around and check all the plants! Super pretty and whimsical! It's not a long walk and the swans were so pretty. Great spot to get away and enjoy nature for a bit. read more

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Definitely plan on spending a couple hours here. There were a few spots throughout the park that we easily could have missed if we were in any sort of rush. Would definitely recommend going late April to early May to enjoy a lot of the flowers in bloom! We loved finding the cat house and being greeted by some of the furry residents haha read more

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Amazing!!!!!!! Simply beautiful!!!!!! Even on the rainy day (last Friday) that I went it was breathtaking. So picturing it on a sunny day aaaaaaaaaamazing lol. The beautiful plants, flowers, trails, waterfalls, swans, Koi (fish), fountain, gazebo, staff ( including the maintenance guy who saw me leaving and mentioned the 500yrs old tree) everything about this place get an A+ . Including the cattle outside the gate A must visit. Make it a day trip read more

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Lovely place to explore. Bring a picnic lunch or even some charcoal and burgers to grill and hang out in one of the shaded patios! read more

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This was my first time at Cedar Lakes, so I'm glad we arrived while it was still daylight. I arrived a bit early to meet my group and was advised the $10 admission for the lights started at 5pm. By the time my group arrived, the price to enter had changed. The light display was phenomenal especially for $10. They do have veterans discount too. We had a gentleman in the group who used a walking stick because he is unsteady on his feet. While I wouldn't try it, it worked for him. The terrain is uneven as expected. The lights are surely more beautiful after dark, but still pretty awesome during daylight. Just see the pics. There were a couple food vendors, but I was saving room to eat Mexican food elsewhere later. The nachos looked good though. I would like to return during the daytime during regular hours. read more

About 40 minutes south of Gainesville, FL is the tiny town on Williston. In this tiny town is Cedar Lakes Wiods and Gardens. It was a beautiful and breezy day, so we decided to go and check it out. It's $12/person. it's a very easy 1-mile loop around this gorgeous property. The hiking trail is paved and there's and upper loop with a great view of the lake and waterfalls. The lower loop gets you down to the action. You can walk behind one of the waterfalls, see some swans and koi, and see a 500-year old oak tree. It's a great day trip from Jax if you're looking to get out of the city for a bit. read more

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Someone's pot addiction turned into a whole massive garden. Beautiful springs and gorgeous plants everywhere. The owner lives on site and is on top of serene springs. Waterfalls and trails this is a great little pit stop if In the area. We finished dip at the devils den and made a stop here to conclude our day. Ended up getting a year pass since we were advised the owners love Christmas and it's the best time to visit the garden. This was a beautiful walk and kids loved seeing all the plants. read more

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It's an easy walk down into an old quarry planted with beautiful plants and trees, with identification tags, leading to waterfalls and ponds. A lovely way to spend an afternoon. read more

Very cool place that is unique among gardens in the area. The elevation changes make it stand out. There are various steps and stairs to navigate the place. There are a few animals and waterfalls, and ponds. You can easily spend a couple hours here. read more

We spent a beautiful morning walking the grounds of Cedar Lakes! Between flowers blooming, the crystal blue waters, it was all so peaceful! If in the area, it's a must stop read more

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On our way to Devils Den we had some time to kill before our reservation. We found this beautiful property and attraction on the road right before Devils Den. It's a little drive on a dirt road that takes you to the main office with some cool views on the way. As we walked along the trail there were so many different flowers and plants to stop and look at. There was also a huge pond with two waterfalls along the trail as well as the owners cabin which the trail went right through his back porch. It's definitely worth the stop, not to mention they offer military discounts. read more

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Found this gem while visiting the area. It cost $12 to get in for adults. Definitely worth it! We wandered around the gardens admiring the plants and greenery and taking photos. Great place to see nature and explore! read more

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This is a really cool spot, especially for the area. Adult tickets are $12 and well worth the price. It might take longer to walk the park in the spring when everything's in bloom but, even still, my boyfriend and I spent ~90 mins here and saw a ton! There are lots of potted and in-ground plants to see, but also koi ponds, swans, and overall interesting landscape due to the park being built in an old rock quarry. If you live in Gainesville and need a day trip, this is the spot. read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Cacti Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

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Found this place through Facebook group called hidden gems of Fl. I would love to come back during spring to see the flower and trees bloom. It is such a beautiful landscape and so nice out for a stroll. Wish it was a little sunny since it was kind of cloudy and gloomy. Nonetheless it was still very nice to catch sightings of birds, ducks , tortoise, a frog , and a couple other friendly animals along our path and in the lake. For $12 you can't beat the price. I've been to other places that overprice their area and it's not even as nice as Cedar Lakes. read more

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Beautiful gardens and fascinating old quarry turned into a really fun couple of hours to explore read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

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Beautiful garden! 1.5 mile hike, that I did get lost in but partly because I got so lost in taking pictures that I didn't follow the signage lol. Friendly staff. Military discount available. Waterfalls and woods! A must see. read more

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Spectacular 64 acre with many water falls and koi ponds . This wonderful park has many places to sit and rest . It takes at least two hours to walk and if you are into plants this is the park . Great place to get married in or take nature pictures . This park is not wheel chair accessible. Cost 12 to get in and is worth it . read more

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Williston, Florida

What a Mother Nature beautiful oasis this is!!! Worth every penny, for those who enjoy and slow down to take it all in. Great place to meander. Sit awhile, here or there. The sounds of cascading and fountain waters all over. Swans, turtles, koi. Pristine maintenance of the entire gardens. read more

While visiting our daughter at UF we decided to spend the day at Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens. As we were in the area Easter weekend we called to verify their hours, which a recording provided. A few minutes later, I received a call from Lori at the Gardens asking if we had any questions. We were surprised that she would take the time to call us back. Upon arriving at the gardens Lori was the person that greeted us. She asked where we had traveled from and what brought us to that area from Homestead etc.. She gave us a map of the garden and explained the trails and what to look for in certain areas. The garden was over and above what we had expected. The level of creativity and the passion behind the creation of it was immediately evident. Upon leaving, we saw Lori,who asked us how our visit went. After a few moments of conversation she asked "arent you the family From Homestead? I believe I have your wallet, it was turned it earlier". She explained that she tried to reach my husband on Facebook to advise, but he doesn't have facebook on his phone nor did he know his wallet was missing! This act of kindness and attention to detail saved us from panic and the inconvenience it would have been had we made it to Homestead (300+ miles south) prior to realizing the wallet had been lost. In all, the experience we had at Cedar Lakes Woods and Garden was wonderful, but Lori made it special! We highly recommend this local owned establishment that is a not only beautiful, but incredibly peaceful. read more

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My husband and I visited at around 8:00am on a Monday morning and it was BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! We only got to explore for less than an hour because we had reservations next door at 9:00am and it was definitely not enough time for us!! We didn't get to explore many more hidden gems deep inside but we'll definitely visit again sometime!! read more

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We took a slow and easy two hour walk thru the gardens. It was very natural and beautiful. Many different plants. Beautiful flowers. Too bad the water features are noisy and you can hear the pumps. But they were beautiful to look at. I would definitely recommend this place. Not for little kids and some areas would be difficult for non ambulatory people. read more

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An old abandoned limestone quarry turned botanical garden. While some areas of the lower level could use a bit of TLC to transform this garden to its "full potential", we still enjoyed our morning walk through the upper and lower level paths & especially loved the waterfalls. I read some of negative reviews before visiting which I can kinda understand if the plants aren't blooming (I.e. wintertime) and if you can't access the lower level due to flooding. Lucky for us, that wasn't the case during our visit. There were flowers blooming (potted and planted), lush green pathways, bamboo & bonsai trees, & a sprinkle of waterfalls flowing. There IS algae (?) in the pond and a few things here and there that weren't flowing but if you can get past that you'll still enjoy the visit. We only encountered staff members when paying the entrance fee & an associate walked me through the map and advised there is a private residence on premises but we're still able to go through that backyard. The woods & garden is clearly marked with the recommended path as you start your hike. TIPS: - The gardens are pet-friendly (must keep your pup on a leash). - I'd recommend baby carriers instead of strollers since there's some steps along the paths. - Sensible shoes (i.e. stay away from flip flops, that's hard for Floridians, I know!) - Unpaved entrance/parking. Don't speed and watch for the signs since the initial entrance off the main road is very narrow. - Bring water & sunblock. I had bug spray handy but didn't need it. - Due to COVID, there are currently markers to keep visitors at a safe distance when waiting to pay admission. Also, only one person from your party should go up to pay. - I noticed one restroom building by the payment/entrance so use it before you start your hike or you'll have to backtrack. - The garden is located southwest of Gainesville. In fact, it's one exit south of the Archer Road exit off I-75 so you can grab a bite before or after your visit along the ever-so-busy Archer Road. Since we were in the area, we also did a quick drive through the UF campus. GO GATORS! read more

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