Hidden gem! We loved swimming and my boys enjoyed climbing the palm tree…read more We did a short trail and saw plants and bugs! We had a picnic at a table but moved to the sun because the boys were cold.

One of my favorite springs. All the wildlife, the 72 degree year round water. Feels so good on a…read morehot summer. Only bad thing is that they charge $15 a person. Used to be $5 a person. During the busy season you have to make reservations

Nice park with a view of the lake and a few picnic tables. This is a nice place to come chill for a…read morebit.

If you are driving around the local state roads you could be completely oblivious the massive Santa…read moreFe Lake which is on the outskirts of Melrose. Santa Fe Lake Park allows free access to the lake, an area to picnic, playground, and restrooms. There is a channel that goes from the boat ramp to the lake. I highly recommend if you do access the lake to make a note of where the channel to the boat ramp is as it is easily lost due to the many cypress trees that can hide it. Parking is ample as well. The park itself does not offer a view of the lake or any water activities other than the boat launch, it is a nice place to have a picnic. I launched my kayak from the boat launch, and enjoyed the park especially since it is free.

While waiting for our dog at UF small animal hospital, we decided to spend some time touring around…read moreand we happen to cross Millhopper State Park. And we noticed that there was a sink hole that promised a beautiful view. It was a long way down in a long way up, but the scenery. The view was very beautiful, clean fresh air, and it seemed to be a very popular place. If you haven't been here I would highly recommend you give it a look. It's very well worth a walk and the exercise and fresh air is good for you. The only thing that kind of bothered me was the honor system for people to go down and visit the sinkhole. It's only two dollars per person or four dollars a car load. People were not donating or picking up after their dogs. The park is beautiful but I bet it would be stunning during spring.

Such a great attraction and landmark to visit! You really feel one with nature and history standing…read moreat the bottom of this sinkhole! Low cost and safe! There are a lot of stairs so unfortunately not accessible for those who cannot climb up and down stairs but the nature park is still pretty!

Such a fun time last night at Camp Chowenwaw!…read more We stayed in one of the treehouses, number 5 to be specific. There was so much wildlife to be heard throughout the night including owls, woodpeckers, and what we think were crickets or maybe lubbers. The bathrooms and shower areas were very clean for a park/camping area. There are different trails to explore along the path to the treehouses, which we didn't have a chance to do. We suggest bringing a sheet or blanket to cover your mattresses. Each treehouse has 2 twin sized bunk beds (total of 4 mattresses). They are VERY uncomfortable, so if you need extra support, you should probably bring a mattress topper/padding. The grills were pretty clean, just need some dusting off before cooking, though, nothing out of the ordinary. Upkeep for everything was great!

Ever slept in a tree house cabin? If you are interested in camping, picnicking, kayaking,…read morecanoeing, swimming, fishing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, outdoor photography, and hiking--Camp Chowenwaw Park is the place to go! Their trail systems through the uplands and the wetlands offer scenic tracts for the hiking enthusiast. Camping facilities include 15 tent sites, two lodges with bunk beds sleeping 16 people per cabin, 9 tree house cabins, each accommodating 4 people, and 7 cabins with bunk beds sleeping 4 - 8 people. Each campsite has a bathhouse with full restroom accommodations and a unit house with electricity including a stove and refrigerator. Located throughout the park and at each campsite are picnic tables and grills for use by campers and park visitors. Just note: Vehicle access is limited & all camping sites and cabins are accessed by walking trails. The park is ideally suited as a natural outdoor environmental education facility when you consider the setting, location, and proximity of diverse upland and wetland ecosystems. Classes and naturalist programs for organized groups and the public will be available in outdoor and indoor classrooms. This is one magical place off the beaten path where you can still interact with wildlife, get a little exercise, enjoy nature, explore the unknown, cool off in the water and at the end of the day, sleep in a tree and still be close to home! How can you not love that?!!

Such a great place to visit & spend time if you are looking to refresh your soul, heart, spirit,…read moreand mind! My favorite part: Little Lake Johnson! It was clean, tranquil, beautiful, and peaceful! We chose the day pass option - only $5 per vehicle (up to eight people per vehicle)! In the future, we're looking forward to renting one of the cabins!

Really well-maintained park. There are a lot of good walking areas and trails. The rec center has…read moreclean bathrooms and a playground. There's also a bunch of picnic tables. It's nice and spread out. We took our two dogs and they did really well with these trails. Definitely a nice area!

One of our top 5 favorite springs to visit, perfect for the family and great spot to visit when you…read moretrying to cool down from the sun. You can rent kayaks here and go down the Santa Fe. Lots of parking but sometimes can reach capacity on the weekends. No inflatable floats in the spring is kind of lame but you can bring noodles.

This is a small and very accessible park that has one swimming hole open currently. It was quite…read morewarm the day we were there and don't was pretty crowded. Water is a bit chilly but you get used to it. The blue hole (spring source) is about 20-25 feet down - a pretty easy snorkel. Not a lot of current. Shallow areas are good for kids and there is kayak/canoe rentals to paddle downstream to the Santa Fe River. Bathrooms were a bit disgusting. Smelled of raw sewage. A good place to spend a few hours.

This is a very tranquil place. The entrance is on a fast curve, so you have to be careful turning…read morein!! If you are on foot, or bike, you can enter from the sidewalk on 16th Ave, as you go down the hill past Colony Park. Colony Park is the subdivision with the curvy brick wall. As you go down the hill, on the right, you will see a small grassy area. There is no sign, so you'll have to be sharp!! This park is so very peaceful. There is a lazy creek that snakes though it. There are at least ten man-made bridges and decks that let you enjoy a nice stroll through nature. Lots and lots of birds will be sounding out, especially in the morning. You can walk your dog, bring some hot coffee, binoculars, camera, etc. You won't believe that you are in the middle of the city!! The word "enclave" comes to mind, as the mood in this park is almost magical and surprisingly isolated. You feel safe and peaceful. I am definitely going back. They even have doggy bag dispensers!!

Alfred A Ring Park is very close to town; it's a nice walk getting here :-)…read more Tip: The funds to preserve this small bit of greenery were donated by Mr. Alfred A. Ring, which is why the park bears his name There's bridge from the parking lot into the park proper which very much reminds me of Costa Rica; there are some pretty nice views to take in when you cross it.

I had been coming to this park since middle school and since moving back, I wanted to switch up my…read moregym routine with some outdoor walks on a trail. When driving into the parking lot, the parking lot is sufficient especially if you go in the early morning or afternoon. In the last 10 years, they have done some renovations where they have added these beautiful memorial plaques dedicated to fallen soldiers. What I thought was super cool is that I walked up to the World War II plaque and saw my great uncle's name! It was definitely a heartwarming touch and just proud moment. The plaques range from the American Revolutionary War to more recent times. I'm a huge history buff, so for me it's a plus for me. The park has a walking trail that's paved and smooth to walk on, that starts from the parking lot and has different workout station areas along the trail. There's a playground area and multiple pavilions with grills which are great for parties and cookouts/family gatherings. Also, there's a softball field, basketball courts, soccer fields, and also a roller hockey rink. I think this park is great for everyone, singles and families as there's something to do or just enjoy the great outdoor area.

Very civilized park that caters to many local groups and the Gainesville community. It's a perfect…read moreplace to go for exercise without having to pay the gym memberships all while enjoying the great outdoors. They have basketball courts, volleyball, BBQ grills and covered tables for parties, a playground, hiking trails, and more all surrounded by wild animals and nature. The amenities offered at Kanapaha Park are free and great for neighboring communities to enjoy. FYI, there are peak times usually in the summer. The hours are: Mon - Wed: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Fri - Sun: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

The Welaka mud is soooo amazing!.. You can walk, run and do…read moreexercise, bike and walk dog around there.. The pool is very cold omg and your body feel nice when you get out of the water.

Absolutely beautiful spring. A short mile and a half hike to the beautiful spring. Well worth the…read moretrip

Biven's Arm Nature Park is all the way down at the very end of South Main St. People speed down in…read morethis section, so be extra careful in coming and going! Once you get in the park, there is plenty of parking along with restrooms and a water fountain, as well. The picnic area, where you can rest or have a meal with friends and family, also has a large swing for recreation. This park feels somewhat isolated because of its location, and that adds a nice feeling of privacy. There is a large, covered deck with seating for about 50 people to have meetings, gatherings or even a wedding, if so inclined! The deck seems to have an overlook towards the end, but there is no view because of the overgrowth of vegetation. There is a lake there, but you have to go on the trails to get a good look at it. Bring a water bottle and fill it up, before you go hiking, as it gets pretty hot, depending on the season. It's not an amazing place, but it is quite peaceful and well-kept. If you are lucky, you might see a hawk or large woodpecker, as well as smaller birds.

I have driven by this park countless times over the years and today, I finally took the time to…read morecheck this park out. Overall, this park is a nice enough place and while not a huge park, it was a nice enough respite from the day to day grind and hustle of the modern world. I enjoyed the nature trail and the overall feel of the place. It also had adequate parking. I would definitely recommend here and I will give it five stars overall. Go check it out for yourself if you find yourself in Gainesville, Florida.