Sweetwater Preserve — Attraction in Gainesville

Don’t forget the bug spray and wear light colors.

Great for biking and hiking; dogs are welcome too. The new parking area is nice, from there if you hike/bike the main path, cross the bridge, head uphill to the sand flats, it will put you onto the rail trail that connects Depot Park to the north (left) and Alachua Sink to the south (right).

There are approximately five different sections of terrain that split off from the main path. The creek runs alongside main path areas, but suggest staying out of the creek and avoiding any fines or doing any damage to it. The bridge is a nice stop to rest or take a break, if needed. There is a bench at the end with a sign about the possible birds you may see.

It is not the best trail for birding until you get to the end on the rail trail where the open pine forest has a lot of birding.

Areas of the trail get cooler and hotter depending upon the elevation. In the early spring (March or April) at dusk are the fireflies, don’t miss this!

Overall, the trails are not too long. You can do about 5 miles if you travel through all of them.

Like mentioned, there is not much birding, but I’ve seen a moccasin, an out of place baby gator, possum, raccoons, deer, a family of quail, animal tracks, and lots of bugs. Wear protective shoes and clothing for bugs and sometimes poison ivy. It is mostly shaded until you get to the open sand pine areas.

This is a true outdoor experience and hope you like it as much...

This park is really great to walk through! Many different sights to see! Different terrains and pathing. The only reason I am not giving it a 5/5 is because it's not very handicap friendly, even on the main fire break road in the middle.

If you go through it from its main trail head, you'll end up on Depot Park trail, which will lead into Gainesville Hawthorne trail if you take a right. Left goes to Depot Park. It's an excellent way to get to either area. This path will also let you easily Park for free while visiting the state park that intercepts the trail a mile in. Unfortunately, you'll have to bike in order to actually enjoy that whole Park.

It's a nice introduction to mountain biking with its varied terrains. But, I would not recommend unless you're confident with your very basics. This is the very first mountain biking I've done, and it was great. You'll get a variety of things, from dealing with roots to dealing with sugar sand. If you're unable to bike it properly, can always just walk it...

It's a nice enough place to park and hike for free (off 16th street) but it's very poorly marked. The good news is that it's not so big that you can get that lost. I started out on the West trail, somehow ended up on the East trail (which is prettier, sandy, and more open), tried to take a more direct way back, but ended up on the twistier way... The path crosses itself often and it's easy to make a wrong turn but if you make it far enough to the west, you can hear traffic from the road and it can help you go in the right direction! It's also super buggy--spray everything, not just your exposed skin. I got bit through my clothes. I did see one large hawk that didn't care to move, even when I walked on the trail right by her. She kept her eye...