On my Gainesville, FL real estate website, I have a tab for Food and Recreation.  I have done several Gainesville area restaurant profiles and have written an article for my recommended places to eat in Gainesville.  I also comprised a list of places to play golf in Gainesville and golf course communities.  It is high time I transfer my list of State Parks from my website to Localism and Active Rain in an effort to gain more exposure for these places! 

Gainesville is a very "green friendly" community and is home to a wealth of trees not commonly thought of when one envisions a "typical" Florida city.  Gainesville more closely resembles what people envision when they think of Georgia or North Carolina, NOT Florida.  And guess what?  We have hills!   Please view my blog index for Gainesville and Alachua Co. Slideshows and Photos!

Below are just a few of our wonderful local State Parks and Springs.  Don't miss Ichetucknee Springs State Park if you want to have a real blast innertubing down the river in the middle of a gorgeous shady hammock!

 
Devil's Millhopper

Awesome sinkhole you can walk down into with the stairs provided.  Trails surround the sinkhole.  The only downside is the climb back up the stairs!

San Felasco Hammock

San Felasco comprises two distinct parks separated by a creek.  The strictly hiking trailhead is located off of Millhopper Road and the biking and equestrian trail head is located off of 441.  Miles of trails through gorgeous preserve land where you will more than likely see a deer or five!

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha is a 62 acre facility home to not only the state's largest display of bamboos and other plants, but it is also the site of the popular Kanapaha Annual Arts festival with tons of vendors, food and live entertainment!

Paynes Prairie

Hawthorne State Trail

Morningside Nature Center

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Ginnie Springs

Poe Springs

Blue Springs

Devil's Den

Gum Root Swamp - 741 acre conservation area

Alfred A. Ring Park - Located off Glen Springs Road, this 19 acre park comprises trails through hammocks and passing Hogtown Creek and picnic areas

Dudley Farm State Park - Home to 18 buildings representing a late 1800s farm which includes staff in period clothing, the original family farmhouse complete with furnishings and even a functional cane syrup complex.

OLeno State Park - Oleno is approx. 6 miles north of High Springs, but worth mentioning as it is located along the Santa Fe River, has multiple sinkholes, hammocks and is near River Rise State Preserve.  You may canoe, hike, bike, fish and picnic here and even camp at the full-facility campground.

Find more parks at www.floridastateparks.org

Angela Elliott is a licensed Florida REALTOR® with Century 21 Classic Properties in Gainesville, FL. Please visit my profile for more about me and browse my Gainesville, FL real estate website for additional Alachua County information and listings. Your phone calls are always welcome at (352) 256-7038 as are your e-mails to angela.elliott1@century21.com.  A portion of all my closed sales will be donated to the Alachua Co. Humane Society (View my mission statement).