Outdoor Adventure
Shallow area for kids. Crystal clear water. State parks can reach capacity - don't try to arrive later in the day during the summer or you'll be disappointed.
407 locals recommend
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W French AveShallow area for kids. Crystal clear water. State parks can reach capacity - don't try to arrive later in the day during the summer or you'll be disappointed.
Tubing the crystal clear spring fed river! Rental on site or bring your own.
179 locals recommend
Ichetucknee Springs State Park- Southern Entrance
U.S. 27Tubing the crystal clear spring fed river! Rental on site or bring your own.
Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park
7400 SW 41 PlBig playground. Walking Trails. Lots of shaded picnic areas.
A lovely place for a walk. Do not expect high manicure of Kanapaha Gardens, but it is beautiful and worth it.
41 locals recommend
Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens
4990 NE 180th AveA lovely place for a walk. Do not expect high manicure of Kanapaha Gardens, but it is beautiful and worth it.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 Southwest 58th DriveA truly beautiful botanical garden.
UF Bat Houses
Museum RoadA great sight to experience at sunset daily.
San Felasco Mountain Bike Trailhead
Creek LoopMountain Biking! Yes, Florida has that.
This park has a little bit of everything. There's food. There's walking trails. You can roller blade. There's a large playground and splash pad. And so much more!
115 locals recommend
Depot Park
874 SE 4 StThis park has a little bit of everything. There's food. There's walking trails. You can roller blade. There's a large playground and splash pad. And so much more!
Alfred A Ring Park
1801 NW 23rd BlvdA great walk in the woods in town.
Not right in town, but worth the drive. You may want to call to see if you need a reservation.
9 locals recommend
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
County Road 225Not right in town, but worth the drive. You may want to call to see if you need a reservation.
Want to get some exercise in? Climb these stairs! Feels like you're in the mountains, but you're really in a hole.
94 locals recommend
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4732 Millhopper RdWant to get some exercise in? Climb these stairs! Feels like you're in the mountains, but you're really in a hole.
A long, paved biking path. It is out and back - I learned that the hard way 15 years ago.
15 locals recommend
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Gainesville-Hawthorne State TrailA long, paved biking path. It is out and back - I learned that the hard way 15 years ago.
Lubee Bat Conservancy
1309 NW 192nd AveA really neat experience!
Several hiking trails and camping. You can see gators, birds, wild horses, and wild bison.
102 locals recommend
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah BlvdSeveral hiking trails and camping. You can see gators, birds, wild horses, and wild bison.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
325 SE Williston RdMy favorite spot for birdwatching and spotting gators.
A short, quick walking/biking trail. I prefer it on my bike. The water is treated wastewater so there is a residual odor by the creek.
6 locals recommend
Sweetwater Preserve
309 SE 16th AveA short, quick walking/biking trail. I prefer it on my bike. The water is treated wastewater so there is a residual odor by the creek.
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 Northwest 83 StreetA zoo! In town!
The water usually flows clear, but sometimes is browned out. Local rentals for canoes and kayaks are available. Rum 138 is one option.
10 locals recommend
Santa Fe River
The water usually flows clear, but sometimes is browned out. Local rentals for canoes and kayaks are available. Rum 138 is one option.
Tu Viện A Nan
2120 SE 15th StA lovely place for a short walk to look at large, beautiful Buddhist statues.
Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
5390 NE 180th AveReally unique scuba spot!
This is NOT in Gainesville but is worth the drive! Mind the weight limits for kiddos so you don't waste your time.
137 locals recommend
The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park
8045 NW Gainesville RdThis is NOT in Gainesville but is worth the drive! Mind the weight limits for kiddos so you don't waste your time.
Not technically outdoors - but the Knot is a great place! They operate based on membership, though, so if you want to go, let me know and I can take you. Each extra guest is $10/visit.
The Knot - Climbing Gym
704 South Main StreetNot technically outdoors - but the Knot is a great place! They operate based on membership, though, so if you want to go, let me know and I can take you. Each extra guest is $10/visit.
Needing to cool off and don't want to drive to a spring? This pool even has a slide!
H Spurgeon Cherry Pool
1001 NW 31 DrNeeding to cool off and don't want to drive to a spring? This pool even has a slide!
Use a search engine to look for "352 walls walk" and you'll find info on the self-guided tour. I cannot post links here.
352 Walls 2015 Kural
Use a search engine to look for "352 walls walk" and you'll find info on the self-guided tour. I cannot post links here.