Full of history and attractive arrangements, Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens is the site of one of Florida’s original Spanish land grants.
Built in the 1830s, the Dunlawton Mill was operated for a short period around that time and again in the mid 1800s.
The land was used as a camp during the Civil War and then became a short-lived tourist attraction named Bongoland in the mid-20th Century.
The dinosaurs were sculpted by Manny Lawrence in the early 1950sVolusia County acquired the property in 1963, and the botanical gardens were added in the 1980s.
Today, the gardens are a peaceful, family-friendly spot that showcases historical relics alongside a fantastic collection of plants and side trails for birding.
In the lush hardwood hammockResources
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Overview
Location: Port Orange
Length: 0.6 miles
Trailhead: 29.140861, -81.006278
Address: 950 Old Sugar Mill Road, Port Orange
Fees: Free, donations appreciated
Restrooms: Near the entrance
Land manager: Volusia County
Phone: 386-257-6000
Open 8 AM – 5 PM. No pets allowed.
Directions
From Interstate 95 south of Daytona Beach, head east on Dunlawton Ave for 2.1 miles before turning left onto Nova Rd. In 0.8 mile, turn right onto Herbert St. Stay to the left in 0.1 mile to turn onto Old Sugar Mill Rd, and the parking will be on the right side of the street.
Hike
From the parking area, head across the street to the main entrance.
Follow a brick walkway through wrought iron gates to a stone kiosk displaying information and a detailed map of the gardens.
Entrance gatePick up a paper map from a mailbox on the left side of the kiosk and turn right.
A crushed shell path winds towards the sugar mill ruins, passing a butterfly garden.
Human sundialCome to a curious human sundial. It shows the time of day based on which stone is stood upon.
A ramp leads up to an elevated boardwalk that showcases the machinery of the sugar mill as its history is revealed through several interpretive signs.
Sugar mill ruinsHead back down the ramp and turn right, following the path as it passes between the historic molasses holding area and an ancient live oak.
A branch splits off to the east to join the deeply shaded Audubon Trail.
Audubon TrailVarious tropical plants line the trail alongside native wild coffee, beautyberry, and cabbage palms.
The Florida Hammock Trail branches off deeper into the hardwood hammock at an intersection at 0.3 mile, grazing the property boundary.
Florida Hammock TrailTurning left at the junction, find a triceratops hiding amongst the lush jungle, one of several remnants from the Bongoland attraction.
Continuing past this herbivorous dinosaur, the trail winds alongside a chapel, sugar cane mill, and native plant garden.
Triceratops statueCross a tiny stream, following concrete bordered pathways to the western side of the property.
As the crushed shell pathway rounds a corner to enter the children’s garden, a little library sits next to an inviting bench within view of a large stegosaurus.
Stegosaurus and dinosaur eggsFollowing a wide path southward, pass a flock of bird of paradise, a bubbling fountain, and a dimetrodon en route to the flower circle.
It’s an open courtyard that serves as a gathering space during events.
Flower circleTowards the entrance, an impressive set of cactus and succulent gardens border the flower circle to the east, across from clusters of colorful bromeliads.
Next to the restrooms and tables of plants for sale, a quaint historic building known as the Gardener’s Library stands alongside a brick pathway.
Gardener’s LibraryBefore leaving, follow the path to the left towards the center of the gardens to check out the fern grotto and a small pond with a charming water wheel and stone bridge.
Turning towards the exit, visitors are greeted by one more statue, a giant ground sloth hiding under the shade of a nearby tree.
Water wheelTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
Slideshow
See our photos from Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
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