Gainesville trails: the paved 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, Paynes Prairie's La Chua and Cone's Dike, Sweetwater's 3.5 miles and the Hogtown Creek Greenway.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Distances, hours and rules come from Florida State Parks and the City of Gainesville’s park pages, linked below. Trails can close for weather, fire or flooding; check the park before a long outing. Paynes Prairie and the state trail: 352-466-3397.

Gainesville sits at the north rim of Paynes Prairie, and its best trails run from town into it: a paved 16-mile rail trail, a short boardwalk walk to see alligators, and an 8-mile dike into the middle of the prairie. In town, the Hogtown Creek Greenway and the boardwalks of Sweetwater Wetlands Park are shady, short options.

Trail picks

  • Longest paved ride: Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, 16 miles, free
  • Short walk with wildlife: La Chua Trail, about half a mile round trip
  • Boardwalks and birds: Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 3.5 miles, $5 per car
  • Shady in-town loop: Loblolly Woods on the Hogtown Creek Greenway

Trails at a glance

Trail Length Surface Bikes Dogs Start
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail 16 miles one way Paved, with grass horse trail Yes Leashed Boulware Springs, 3300 SE 15th St.
La Chua Trail, Paynes Prairie A little over 0.5 mile round trip Path and boardwalk No No 4270 SE 15th St.
Cone’s Dike Trail, Paynes Prairie 8.25 miles round trip Earthen dike, little shade Yes No Visitor center parking, 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy
Chacala Trail, Paynes Prairie 6.5 miles of loops Level, natural Yes, and horses Check park Paynes Prairie main entrance
Bolen Bluff Trail, Paynes Prairie See park map Natural Yes Check park Off U.S. 441 south of Gainesville
Wacahoota Trail, Paynes Prairie 0.25 mile round trip Hammock path to a 50-foot tower No Check park Visitor center
Sweetwater Wetlands Park 3.5 miles Gravel and boardwalk No No 325 SW Williston Road
Loblolly Woods Nature Park Main path plus side trails Broad path Yes, shared Leashed 3315 NW Fifth Ave.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

The state’s 16-mile trail follows an old rail bed from the city’s Boulware Springs Nature Park through Paynes Prairie and other conservation lands to Hawthorne. It is paved for bikes, skaters and walkers, with a grassy equestrian trail beside it, and is open 8 a.m. to sunset with no fee.

Trailhead parking:

  • Boulware Springs Nature Park, 3300 SE 15th St., Gainesville; run by the city, with seasonal hours (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in fall and winter, to 8 p.m. from March 15 to Sept. 30)
  • Rochelle, at county roads 234 and 2082 (Prairie Creek Preserve)
  • 7902 SE 200th Drive, off County Road 2082 west of Hawthorne
  • 2182 SE 71st Ave., Hawthorne

Leashed dogs are allowed on the state trail.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie has eight trails and is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day, with a per-vehicle fee at the main entrance, 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy. Wild bison and horses roam the prairie, and alligators are common; for that reason, pets are banned on La Chua and Cone’s Dike.

  • La Chua Trail leaves from the north rim at 4270 SE 15th St. and runs a little over half a mile round trip to the Alachua Sink. It opens at 8 a.m. and closes an hour before sunset. In drought, vegetation can limit the wildlife view, the park says.
  • Cone’s Dike is an 8.25-mile round trip on an earthen dike into the center of the prairie from the visitor center parking area. It is flat, open and has little shade.
  • Chacala Trail is 6.5 miles of level loops through pine flatwoods, hammock and old fields, shared by hikers, cyclists and riders. Jackson’s Gap Trail, 1.3 miles, links it to Cone’s Dike.
  • Bolen Bluff Trail starts off U.S. 441 south of Gainesville, for foot and bike traffic. The park says most of its trails need fat-tired bikes, and helmets are highly recommended.
  • Wacahoota Trail is a quarter-mile loop from the visitor center to the 50-foot observation tower.
  • Lake Trail runs a little under a mile from the Lake Wauburg parking area to Savannah Boulevard.

In town

  • Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Road: 3.5 miles of gravel trails and boardwalks through 125 acres of wetlands, with viewing platforms. Open 7 a.m. to sunset; $5 per car or $2 per person on foot, bike or bus (exact change or the Passport Parking app). Bikes stay at the rack; no pets, no drones.
  • Loblolly Woods Nature Park, 3315 NW Fifth Ave.: 159 acres where Possum Creek meets Hogtown Creek, one of 10 parks on the city’s Hogtown Creek Greenway. A broad, bike-friendly path runs through it, with side trails to bluffs above the creeks. All trails are shared with cyclists; leashed pets are welcome.
  • Bivens Arm Nature Park, 3650 S. Main St.: nearly 2 miles of shady trails and a marsh overlook, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St.: paved walking paths around the stormwater ponds downtown.

Collecting fossils or shark teeth is banned in city parks under city ordinance.

What this means for you

  • For a long ride, start at Boulware Springs and check its closing time before you set out.
  • Bring water and sun protection on Cone’s Dike; there is little shade.
  • Leave dogs home for La Chua, Cone’s Dike and Sweetwater; take them to the state trail or Loblolly Woods instead. See our dog-friendly guide.

Related: parks and trails, getting around and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail?

It is 16 paved miles from Boulware Springs Nature Park, 3300 SE 15th St., through Paynes Prairie to Hawthorne, with a grassy horse trail alongside. It is free and open 8 a.m. to sunset.

Where can I see alligators on a trail near Gainesville?

The La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie, a little over half a mile round trip from 4270 SE 15th St., and the 3.5 miles of trails and boardwalks at Sweetwater Wetlands Park are the best-known spots. Pets are not allowed on either.

Can I ride a bike at Sweetwater Wetlands Park?

No. Bikes must be left at the rack by the restrooms, and pets are not allowed. Walkers and mobility devices are welcome from 7 a.m. to sunset.

Where can I bike on a trail in Gainesville?

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is paved for cycling, Loblolly Woods Nature Park on the Hogtown Creek Greenway has a broad path shared with cyclists, and Paynes Prairie allows bikes on Cone’s Dike, Chacala and Bolen Bluff.