Throughout Gainesville, creeks vanish into the ground, becoming part of the Floridan Aquifer. Along the two short but rugged trails that comprise this loop - the Moonshine Creek Trail and the Creek … [Read more...]
Davenport Landing Trail
The most obscure interpretive trail in the Ocala National Forest is well off the beaten path along the Ocklawaha River, accessed via a narrow dirt road. Why here? Location, location, location—in the … [Read more...]
Florida Trail, Pat’s Island to Hidden Pond
One of the most popular hikes on the Florida Trail is also one of the most interesting. Hidden Pond is an oasis in the middle of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, a designated wilderness area in the … [Read more...]
John Mahon Nature Park
Ten acres isn't a lot of land for a nature park, but in this urban setting along one of the busiest thoroughfares in Gainesville, it's plenty for a quick, refreshing walk in the woods. Established in … [Read more...]
Barr Hammock Preserve
Encompassing more than 5,700 acres, Barr Hammock Preserve includes an expansive wetland area, the Levy Prairie, that is the centerpiece of the Levy Loop Trail. Literally. Entirely atop a set of … [Read more...]
UF NATL Nature Trails
Tucked behind the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory is an outdoor classroom for … [Read more...]
Watermelon Pond WEA
On the westernmost edge of Alachua County, Watermelon Pond is a sprawling prairie complex that was once a massive lake, a haven for wading birds. Unfortunately, the dewatering effects of continued … [Read more...]
Goethe State Forest – Buck Island Pond Trail
Looping around a cypress-lined pond in the midst of pine flatwoods, the Buck Island Pond Trail at Goethe State Forest has quite a few interesting features going for it. For one, a great little … [Read more...]
Cellon Oak Park
In our North Florida explorations, one goal of mine was to visit the Cellon Oak, Florida's largest live oak (in terms of crown spread) and the current cover photo of Big Trees: The Florida Register, … [Read more...]
Florida Trail, Buckman Lock to SR 20
Connecting the Ocala National Forest and the northern end of the Cross Florida Greenway with Rice Creek Conservation Area, the Florida Trail between Buckman Lock and SR 20 west of Palatka is a … [Read more...]
