When hiking in Florida, you will see cypress trees, blue herons, turtles, alligators, and more. Florida State Parks and hiking trails are unlike any others. So, let us help you prepare for your next adventure. Here's a preview of some of our local outdoor parks. Be sure to view our list of other resource websites below for more recreational ideas!
San Felasco Hammock State Park
Description: If you enjoy watching birds or riding your bicycle, this is the trail for you. Some of the sights you may see at this state park are limestone outcrops, hardwood trees, white-tailed deer, foxes, turkeys, and many songbird species.
Location:
13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua, FL, 32615
Hours:
8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
Fees:
$4 per vehicle
$2 pedestrians and bicyclists
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Description: What makes this 16-mile stretch unique is that it winds its way through the city of Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve, and several other local and state conservations. On this trail, you'll see iconic Florida history. Just keep a sharp eye out for those gators!
Location:
3400 S.E. 15th St., Gainesville, FL, 32641
Hours:
8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Fees:
None
Description: Would you believe this sinkhole has attracted the curious for the last 141 years? Believe it! For those looking for scenic beauty, come and enjoy the miniature rain forest at the bottom. Devil's Millhopper is also a local favorite for laps around the park or up and down the stairs for an intense cardio workout.
Location:
4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL, 32653
Hours:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
Fees:
$4 per vehicle, up to 8 visitors.
$2 pedestrians and bicyclists.
Description: Prairie Creek Preserve covers over one thousand acres of land. Here you'll see cypress swamps, blackwater streams, bald eagles, red-headed woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, alligators, river otters, black bears, and more.
Location:
7204 SE County Road 234, Gainesville, FL, 32641
Hours:
Lodge Gate, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cemetery Gate, All Week, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Fees:
All Alachua Conservation Trust preserves are free and open to the public. The only exception is JH Anderson Rick Bluff Spring, which they don't own and is currently closed due to flooding.
*Dogs are welcome.
Sweetwater Preserve Loop via Boulware Springs Park
Description: Located adjacent to the Prairie Creek Preserve and along the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rail-Trail, Sweetwater Preserve offers 3 miles of unpaved trails. Trails are for a casual to moderate hike or for bike rides. Just a heads-up, there are no picnic or restroom facilities.
Location:
309 SE 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32608
Hours:
November - April, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
May - October, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fees: None
*Not to be confused with Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
Description: At Ginnie Springs, you have the options to float on an inner tube, kayak, paddleboard, camp, and freshwater dive. The water is a clear blue and comfortable 72 degrees. There you can see manatees, turtles, tortoises, snakes, birds, and more.
Location:
7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL, 32643
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fees:
- General
- Adults "Off-Season" Rate $15.00
- Adult "Season" Rate $20.00
- Children Ages 5 - 12 $5.00
- Children 4 and Under Free
- Dive
- Certified Full Cave Divers or Equivalent $24.00
- All Other Certified Divers $32.00
- Annual Dive Pass (Cavern - Cave) $399.99
- Camp
- Adults "Off-Season" Rate $25.00
- Adults "Season" Rate $30.00
- Children Ages 5 - 12 $8.00
- Children Ages 4 and Under Free
- Electricity and water hookup (per site, per night) $11.00
*No pets or emotional support animals.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Description: Ichetucknee is a great place to spend the day on the water and take in the wildlife. Keep an eye out for beavers, otters, gar, softshell turtles, wild turkey, ducks, and more.
Location:
12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL, 32038
Hours:
8:00 a.m. until sunset
Fees:
- Admission
- $6.00 per vehicle
- $4.00 single-occupant vehicle
- $4.00 motorcycle (one or two people)
- $2.00 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
- Tram/Shuttle
- Tram service: $5.50 plus tax per person
- Shuttle service: $7.50 plus tax per person
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Description: Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park contains a collection of springs, including Little Blue Spring, Naked Spring, Kiefer Spring, and Johnson Spring. There you can see turtles, redbreast and spotted sunfish, largemouth bass, and more. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is a great place to hike, paddle, snorkel, swim, canoe, and picnic.
Location:
7450 N.E. 60th St., High Springs, FL, 32643
Hours:
8:00 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
Fee:
$4.00 to $6.00 per vehicle
Additional resources:
Alachuacounty.us: Parks and Preserves List
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: State Parks
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Springs
Floridatrail.org: Hiker Safety
Visitflorida.com: Natural Springs
Visitflorida.com: Outdoor Adventures and activities
Books and eMagazines suggestions:
