The Uncoast Retreat 2027 comes to High Springs, Florida, February 25–March 1, 2027, at O’Leno State Park and River Rise Preserve State Park. The official Uncoast NA Retreat website confirms the five-day gathering as an annual weekend of recovery, meetings and fellowship outdoors. Uncoast Area of Narcotics Anonymous
O’Leno sits along the Santa Fe River just north of High Springs, surrounded by hardwood forest, river swamp, sandhills and the unusual karst landscape that makes North Florida’s springs country so distinctive. Florida State Parks
Stay Along the Santa Fe River
O’Leno State Park is one of Florida’s oldest state parks and was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The park sits directly along the Santa Fe River and includes camping, hiking, paddling, fishing, picnic areas and group facilities. Florida State Parks
For a recovery retreat, there is no need to build much around that.
Spend time with the fellowship.
Walk near the river.
Sit beneath the trees.
Let the setting slow things down.
See Where the River Disappears
One of the most unusual features of O’Leno is the Santa Fe River Sink.
The river flows through the park before disappearing underground into the limestone and then reappearing more than three miles away at River Rise Preserve State Park. The water travels through the Floridan aquifer system beneath the surface before emerging again. Florida State Parks
That makes this far more than an ordinary campground landscape.
You are staying in one of Florida’s distinctive karst regions, where springs, sinkholes and underground waterways shape the land.
Cross the Historic Suspension Bridge
O’Leno’s wooden suspension bridge is one of the park’s signature landmarks.
Built during the Civilian Conservation Corps era, the bridge crosses the Santa Fe River and traditionally serves as the starting point for the popular River Trail. Florida State Parks
One important current detail: Florida State Parks reports that the River Trail is presently closed, so check park conditions closer to the retreat before planning around that particular route. Florida State Parks
There are still plenty of other ways to walk through the park.
Explore the Trails
O’Leno and neighboring River Rise Preserve contain extensive hiking, cycling and equestrian trail networks through a surprisingly wide variety of natural environments.
Florida State Parks notes that the two parks together pass through 18 different natural communities, ranging from forest and floodplain to sandhill and swamp. Florida State Parks
You do not need a major hike.
A short walk through the woods can be enough after spending several hours in meetings.
Carry water.
Use insect repellent.
Stay aware of when the park closes.
Then get back to the retreat.
Visit River Rise Preserve
River Rise Preserve State Park is where the Santa Fe River returns to the surface after its underground journey.
The river emerges into a large pool surrounded by forest before continuing west toward the Suwannee River. The preserve also has hiking, wildlife viewing and more than 35 miles of trails. Florida State Parks
If the retreat schedule leaves room for a little exploring, seeing both the sink and the rise gives you a better understanding of what makes this landscape unusual.
Spend Some Time in High Springs
High Springs is the practical nearby town for food, groceries, fuel and other supplies.
O’Leno State Park is about six miles north of town on U.S. 441. Florida State Parks
That proximity is useful.
You can get away into the woods without being hours from whatever you forgot.
Take care of what you need before settling in so repeated supply runs do not keep pulling you away from the retreat.
Explore Florida Springs Country
High Springs sits in a region filled with freshwater springs and spring-fed rivers.
If you extend the trip, North Florida gives you several additional options within driving distance.
But you do not need to spend the retreat chasing springs.
O’Leno already gives you the Santa Fe River, sinkholes, forest and a landscape shaped by the same underground water system that creates the region’s better-known springs.
Prepare for a Multi-Day Retreat
Five days outdoors deserves a little more planning than an ordinary hotel convention.
Bring layers.
Bring a flashlight or headlamp.
Bring insect repellent.
Bring rain protection.
Bring comfortable shoes.
If your lodging arrangement involves camping, make sure your sleeping setup can handle cool nights and damp conditions.
O’Leno’s regular campground includes water and electric hookups at many sites along with centralized restrooms, although retreat arrangements may use different group facilities. Florida State Parks
Expect North Florida Winter Weather
Late February and early March can be one of the better times of year to spend outdoors in North Florida.
Days may be pleasantly mild, but cold fronts can still bring chilly mornings and nights.
Rain is possible.
Temperatures can shift quickly.
Pack for variety rather than assuming Florida means shorts around the clock.
Keep Wildlife in Mind
O’Leno is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and supports a wide range of birds and other wildlife. Florida State Parks
That is part of what makes the setting beautiful.
It also means respecting the environment.
Keep food stored properly.
Do not feed wildlife.
Follow park guidance.
Leave the place looking like you were never there.
Let the Retreat Be the Destination
Uncoast Retreat already happens in a place worth visiting.
You have the Santa Fe River.
Forest.
Trails.
History.
A river that disappears underground and comes back miles away.
You do not need to build a second vacation around that.
Spend time in meetings.
Talk with people.
Rest.
Walk outside.
Sit by the river.
Let five days of recovery and fellowship be enough.
Find the Event and Plan Your Visit
See Uncoast Retreat 2027 in the Dans' Custom Gifts NA Event Directory.
Official retreat information is available from the Uncoast NA Retreat.
Photo credit: Kelsey Wilkerson / Pexels