Depot Park's Blue Grotto splash pad, Sweetwater Wetlands ($5 a car), Bivens Arm, Loblolly Woods and the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. City park details come from the City of Gainesville’s parks directory; state park hours and fees come from Florida State Parks. Hours change with the seasons and the weather, so check the park’s page before a long trip.

Gainesville runs 54 parks, nature parks, pools and community centers, according to its parks directory, and three state parks sit inside or just outside the city. The best-known are Depot Park downtown, Sweetwater Wetlands Park for birding, and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where wild bison and horses roam just south of town.

Who to call

  • City of Gainesville main line: 352-334-5000 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays)
  • Sweetwater Wetlands Park: 352-554-5871; tours 352-262-6670
  • Boulware Springs Nature Park: 352-334-5067
  • Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail: 352-466-3397
  • Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park: 352-955-2008

City parks at a glance

Park Address Hours Good for
Depot Park 874 SE Fourth St. Play area 7 a.m. to sunset; lit areas to 11:30 p.m. Splash pad, playground, events
Sweetwater Wetlands Park 325 SW Williston Road 7 a.m. to sunset daily Birding, wildlife, boardwalks
Bivens Arm Nature Park 3650 S. Main St. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round Nearly 2 miles of shady trails
Loblolly Woods Nature Park 3315 NW Fifth Ave. Dawn to dusk Creekside path, bikes, leashed dogs
Boulware Springs Nature Park 3300 SE 15th St. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Oct. 1 to March 14); 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (March 15 to Sept. 30) State trail access, picnics
Abby Wambach Park 4501 SW 20th Ave. See city page Sports fields, off-leash dog parks

Depot Park

The 32-acre park downtown has the Blue Grotto splash pad and water-play area, a playground, a pavilion that can be rented for parties, walking paths and a stormwater wetland area that cleans runoff from 47 acres of downtown, the city says. The restrooms are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Its biggest night is Sparks in the Park on New Year’s Eve, with fireworks, and holiday lights fill the park in November and December.

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater covers 125 acres just south of downtown and is the city’s top spot for seeing alligators and wading birds. Entry is $5 per car or $2 per person on foot, bike or bus; pay with exact change or the Passport Parking app, or buy an annual pass at the Thomas Center B parks offices on weekdays. Bikes must stay at the rack by the restrooms. The Alachua Audubon Society leads a free bird walk (with park admission) at 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday from September to May.

Bivens Arm and Loblolly Woods

Bivens Arm Nature Park (81 acres) is one of the city’s oldest nature parks, with nearly 2 miles of trails, a marsh overlook and a playground. Loblolly Woods Nature Park (159 acres) is one of 10 parks that make up the Hogtown Creek Greenway, with a broad path shared by walkers and cyclists. Leashed pets are welcome. Collecting fossils and shark teeth is banned in city parks under city ordinance.

State parks and trails

Park Address Hours Fee
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy 8 a.m. to sunset daily $6 per vehicle
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville 8 a.m. to sunset daily $4 per vehicle; $2 on foot or bike
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail Trailhead: 3300 SE 15th St., Gainesville 8 a.m. to sunset daily Free

Paynes Prairie was Florida’s first state preserve. Wild bison and horses roam it, and nearly 300 bird species use it, according to Florida State Parks. Devil’s Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark: a limestone sinkhole 120 feet deep and 500 feet across. The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is a paved, 16-mile former rail line from Boulware Springs through Paynes Prairie, with a grassy horse trail beside it. The Boulware Springs trailhead parking is run by the city.

What this means for you

  • With small children: Depot Park’s splash pad and playground are free and open from 7 a.m.
  • For wildlife: Sweetwater Wetlands and Paynes Prairie, both on the south side, are the surest bets for alligators and birds. Bring exact change for Sweetwater.
  • For a long ride or run: start at Boulware Springs and pick up the state trail.
  • With a dog: keep it leashed in nature parks; use the off-leash areas at Abby Wambach Park.

Related: Gainesville farmers markets, fall festivals and pumpkin patches and getting around Gainesville.

Frequently asked questions

Does Depot Park in Gainesville have a splash pad?

Yes. The Blue Grotto splash pad and water-play area is part of the children’s play area at Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St., open 7 a.m. to sunset.

How much does it cost to visit Sweetwater Wetlands Park?

$5 per car, or $2 per person for bicyclists, pedestrians and buses. Pay with exact change or the Passport Parking app. The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily.

Where does the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail start?

The Gainesville trailhead is Boulware Springs Nature Park, 3300 SE 15th St. The paved trail runs 16 miles through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park toward Hawthorne.

Are dogs allowed in Gainesville parks?

Leashed dogs are welcome at many city parks, including Depot Park, Loblolly Woods and Boulware Springs. Abby Wambach Park at 4501 SW 20th Ave. has off-leash dog parks.

What are the hours at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park?

8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. Entry is $6 per vehicle, according to Florida State Parks.