Meet Old Methuselah: Florida’s Ancient Cypress at DeLeon Springs

Old Methuselah DeLeon Springs State Park

If you want to meet a living landmark, the Old Methuselah bald cypress at DeLeon Springs State Park is it. This thousand-plus-year-old tree stands beside the spring run, hollow-trunked, wind-sculpted, and still throwing shade like only an elder can.

We found Old Methuselah on a quick walk along the boardwalk while exploring the park’s sugar-mill ruins and spring area. Even from the trail, the tree’s size and age stop you in your tracks.

Why Old Methuselah Matters

  • Ancient survivor: Local accounts put the cypress at well over a millennium old. Loggers spared it in the 1930s because the trunk was hollow.
  • Big numbers: Roughly a 35-foot circumference and about 100 feet tall — a true giant of Florida wetlands.
  • Living history: The tree has outlasted hurricanes, industry, and change around DeLeon Springs, making it a natural time capsule.

DeLeon Springs: A Quick Look

Beyond the tree, the park mixes nature and history: remnants of the nineteenth-century sugar mill, CCC-era structures from the 1930s, clear spring water, and easy boardwalks through cypress and oak. It’s a compact stop with a lot of story.

Photo Walk

We visited Old Methuselah during a road trip and looped the boardwalk for views from several angles.

Know Before You Go

  • Location: DeLeon Springs State Park, Florida
  • Where to find the tree: Along the signed boardwalk near the spring run.
  • Entry fee: Collected at the gate; check the park website for current pricing and hours.
  • Accessibility: Boardwalks and interpretive areas are mostly wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
  • Nearby highlights: Historic sugar-mill ruins and the make-your-own pancake spot at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill (check current operating status).

Why It’s Worth the Detour

Old Methuselah DeLeon Springs State Park isn’t just a tree; it’s a marker of deep time. Whether you’re chasing Florida history, photographing big trees, or building a quirky road-trip list, this stop delivers an easy win.


Planning more Florida detours? Browse our Things To Do in Florida for springs, ruins, roadside oddities, and quiet trails.