Prairie Creek Bridge Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

Travel this meandering 16-mile trail for scenic vistas, wildlife sightings and glimpses of railroad history

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Effective Oct. 1, 2024: The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is passable with cleanup still ongoing. Trail users should exercise caution and watch for hazards.

Hours

8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year

Fees

No fee required

Location

3400 S.E. 15th St.
Gainesville FL 32641

Get directions

Contact Info

352-466-3397

Welcome to Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city of Gainesville's Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other local and state conservation lands.

On this historic rail bed turned greenway, you will pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture. Overlooks and stops of interest tie together a rich story of small railroad towns, locomotives and human activity along this corridor. 

The recreational trail is paved with a grassy equestrian trail running alongside.

Parking is provided at four trailheads:

  • Boulware Springs City Park, 3300 S.E. 15th St., Gainesville (managed by the city of Gainesville. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily).
  • Intersection of county roads 234 and 2082, Rochelle (at Prairie Creek Preserve).
  • 7902 S.E. 200th Drive, off County Road 2082, west of Hawthorne.
  • 2182 S.E. 71st Ave., Hawthorne.

Plan Your Visit

Kevin Patton, Manager
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Manager's Message

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail provides a wonderful opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy cycling, walking, inline skating or horseback riding through a variety of plant communities.
Group of runners on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
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Get Park Fit on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

This trail, with its 10-foot wide paved path, is an optimal outdoor spot to get fit. The therapeutic sounds of nature will surround you as you clear your mind and reinvigorate your body. 
Cyclists on the trail
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Explore by bike

With a paved surface, test your endurance or choose to slow down and appreciate the numerous sites along the way.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Fishing
Fishing
Hiking
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Equestrian Trail
Equestrian Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail Photo Gallery

Alachua Lake Overlook
Alachua Lake Overlook Gainesville Hawthrone Trail
Riders at Gainesville Hawthrone Trail

Gainesville Hawthrone Trail, in Gainesville

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Sweetwater Overlook at Gainesville Hawthrone Trail

Sweetwater Overlook at Gainesville Hawthrone Trail, in Gainesville

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Coreopsis flowers bloom near Grove Park
American lotus in bloom from Sweetwater Overlook
Box turtle on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
People fishing at Prairie Creek
Orange Grove, FL postcard
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History of the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

This historic route, a “trader’s path” stretches back to the days of William Bartram, Seminole Indians and Florida’s first people. As you make your way down the trail, trade modern life for citrus groves, small railroad towns and locomotives.
Hawthorne Train
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Trains that Once Rumbled

Most of the Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail follows an abandoned rail bed. Along the trail today, reminders of the historic railroad activity include concrete mileage and whistle markers.

People Make the Parks

Park Attendant Nels Parson.

Staff Spotlight

After a year of retirement, Nels felt the pull of working again in parks and on trails. When he saw the opportunity to return to his roots with the Florida Park Service and maintain the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, Nels jumped at the chance.
Volunteer Thomas Wronski

Volunteer Spotlight

With a lifelong interest in the outdoors and wildlife, it seemed only natural for Tom to become a volunteer at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park during his retirement.
Florida State Parks Foundation

Florida State Parks Foundation

The statewide nonprofit partner meeting critical funding needs for universal access, conservation, education and preservation.

Park Map

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