Discover Florida as it was!
Gainesville's natural treasures can be found throughout our city. You can stroll along a trail deep in the woods, walk a boardwalk edging a blackwater stream, take a class to become familiar with the fascinating wildlife or step back in time to more than 130 years ago on our ten-acre Living History Farm. Visit the spring where Gainesville began or ride your bicycle or horse on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. Enjoy some of the best bird watching in
north Florida, observe butterflies busy at wildflowers and hear frogs calling for mates. Nature parks are an integral part of the reason Gainesville is one of the best places in the U.S. to live... there is a sanctuary within minutes of wherever you are in the city. See these treasures for yourself... get to know your nature parks!
- There is no fee to visit most of the city's nature parks, with the exception of Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
- Some of the parks are gated and have different hours of operations. For a detailed list, please read list below.
- Please read entrance and/or kiosk signage for specific park rules.
- Geocaching and letterboxing policy and guidelines
- When prescribed burns take place, a park may be closed. Please check this website, our Facebook page or call 352-334-5067 for updates.
- There's something for everyone in our parks! Learn about our other parks, playgrounds, pools and facilities.
- While leashed pets are welcomed in most of our nature parks, they are not allowed at Morningside Nature Center or hiking trails, the Living History Farm or Sweetwater Wetlands park. For all of our other parks, please refer to the park rules below when planning your visit, or enjoy a day at one of our designated dog parks with your four-legged friends!
- Check here if connecting with RTS bus routes and schedule.