Gonzaga Park is a new Orange County park. On this site in the earlier half of the 1900's stood the Seven Springs Mountain House, a popular retreat for vacationers. The facility would later become the Gonzaga monastery and catholic retreat center. Falling into decay in the 80's and 90's, the main facility was destroyed in a controlled burn in 2000. The property was then purchased by the county. Still visible today are the well enclosure, the large octagonal chapel once attached to the monastery, a service building, and a smaller chapel back in the woods. As a park, the county has added picnic areas and a new gaelic football field. The park also serves as a trail head for the Jessup and Highlands trails, and the re-routed Long Path. You are looking for a bison tube.
The park entrance is at the intersection of Seven Springs Mountain Road and Seven Springs Road. The park is closed off-hours and in the winter by a large fence, but if the fence is closed you can park there, just don't block the fence and leave a "hiking" sign in your windshield.
