A good place to relax. The only problem is the mosquitoes.

Places like this make Gainesville what it is great place to gain piece of mind, get some exercise my opinion may be biased on this because I love nature

Beautiful little preserve with a few different of habitats that help make the short hike (an hour) interesting. Its dog friendly, mostly shaded, and not crowded. Three caveats: (1) you will need copious amounts of insect repellant, especially during the summer; (2) there are no receptacles for dog waste; and (3) there are a couple of places where signs say alligators are common. However, I have yet to see one, unfortunately.

Great natural area to have a walk in. Access is easy as well. Great eligators!

Great little bike and hike trails. A bit more traffic than we like but still fun. Sand and packed sandstone.

Its a nice enough place to park and hike for free (off 16th street) but its very poorly marked. The good news is that its not so big that you can get that lost. I started out on the West trail, somehow ended up on the East trail (which is prettier, sandy, and more open), tried to take a more direct way back, but ended up on the twistier way... The path crosses itself often and its easy to make a wrong turn but if you make it far enough to the west, you can hear traffic from the road and it can help you go in the right direction! Its also super buggy--spray everything, not just your exposed skin. I got bit through my clothes. I did see one large hawk that didnt care to move, even when I walked on the trail right by her. She kept her eye on me, though.

Whether you want to ride some winding, up-and-down bike trails or take your dog on a short hike through a few of Floridas habitats, Sweetwater Preserve is a great place to spend a weekday afternoon or Saturday morning

A beautiful and peaceful way to enjoy an afternoon walking. There are lots of displays with nature information and directional markers to help guide you.

Beautiful place, so peaceful. But lots of mosquitoes! Birds everywhere. Lovely creek.

Awesome place, good for biking or using a onewheel or hiking.

Sweetwater Preserve is an excellent nature park with several short meandering trails. Any of these trails connect the Williston Road trailhead to the Gainesville-Hawthorne bike trail and points beyond.In spite of their short length, the trails are surprisingly diverse ecologically. Expect to see natural communities such as mesic forest, baygall, sandhill, etc. There is an interpretive map at the trailhead that is often stocked with a one-page pamphlet.The cost is free. Daytime parking is available for free at the Williston Road trailhead or at Boulware Springs Park.

Our favorite spot to go. You will get the full feel of Florida here. Very tidy and always has staff around. 7 out of 10 times you will see the giant gators that live there.

It is beautiful, and there are several different paths. It is slightly hilly. The forest is large and there is also a creek running into it. It was very busy yesterday, mostly with people walking sweet dogs. Very nice, but busy on the week ends

I really love this park the trails are awesome and the river was cristal clear great place for mtb hiking or simple walk

Beautiful overlook at sunset

Ive been hiking since I was a kid and I absolutely love hitting the trail. Sweetwater I one of the best places to hike in Alachua county! Great for a leisurely stroll or a trail run!

Great view of the prairie and Sweetwater branch creek.

Nice trails of customizable length. Didnt see any alligators though

Amazing, my favorite nature trail in Gainesville.

Really beautiful if you are looking for an unpaved trail.

This is a very nice place to bring your Daughters or even a date. Nice looking Natural environment. Check it out

Great trail, beautiful creek.

Its okay. Trail is easy but theres not much to see. Mosquito repellent is a must. The good thing about this hike is that is mostly in the shade.

A slice of heaven. A rare example of man and nature coming together to create/enhance an ecosystem.

Great trail through Sandhills and down to a small pond, and on to Sweetwater branch Creek.

Such a nice place to get out and enjoy a bit of natural Florida! Its never usually busy and my doggies loves to get out and sniff all the wilderness smells. You can usually spot deer tracks on the trail too, which is always fun to look out for.

Combined the trails are only 3 miles. The west trail is an easy going experience and the east trail is rated at moderate. Bike and dog friendly, although some parts of the preserve are under water after it rains, so keep that in mind.

Cool trails to walk around. Trail is pretty narrow. Not always signage along the way to show which way goes where, so best to pick up map at front. Dog friendly. No trash cans at trailhead or otherwise, so be prepared to pack-in-pack-out.

Cool trails and creeks.

Nice place to unwind and go for a walk.

Always a great place to take a leisurely stroll

Fun place to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature

Beautiful place

Absolutely beautiful. Great place for photography. Excellent sights and loads of wildlife.

Lots of fun for a small place. Really neat sights. A gem in Gainesville.

Great place to go for a nice green walk. Took my daughter who is 3, I wouldnt reccomend that, this was like the west entrance and really was just a trail, not many sights to see on any of the entrances. Make sure you hit the main location which is right down the road.

Nice place for an extended walk.

Pay close attention to any turns you may make. The bike trails may throw you off. My freind and I back tracked a couple of times. A great use of space. Connects with the Gville-Hawthorne trail.

Great spot to go walk for an hour

Great trails in beautiful ecosystem.

Sweetwater Wetlands park is a constructed wetlands designed to filter runoff from Gainesville Florida creeks. There you may find wild horses, alligators, turtles, snakes and many many birds. Note: there is little shade other than a few covered benches and a gazebo so brink a hat or sunscreen. It costs $5 a carload or $2 a person to enter the park (drop box honor system). $78 for a year-round pass - Enjoy Florida Wildlife and Nature!

Sweetwater Preserve offers wonderful hiking and sightseeing. It is a great place that is totally accessible to older adults and those who may be in wheelchairs. I advise that you go here during the cooler months as it can feel more sauna like during hot summer days. @ndy

For some reason this is my favorite park in town. Even if its man made, its just so lovely.

Great for off road biking and connects to the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail

Very lovely place for a calming walk, bird watching and seeing alligators closer

Nature magnificent!

Mtly faince and I went on a biking adventure here recently and it was so much fun and its beautiful here!

I absolutely love hiking here. Very accessible wide open boardwalks and trails. Also has Pokemon go stops and gyms! Lol

Very well upkept easy to find and find your way arround

Is the very nice trail location, but it wo uh l be veryniceif the park service would better develop the parking area for this is trail. Many of the spectacular trails in the local area are hard to visit due to the lack of accessibility at the trail heads.

It was fun we walked with the children on a saturday morning however we ended up in a cemetery.. maybe need more or better signs to follow ..

Great day hike! Dogs love the river!!!

Great park to take a walk in a afternoon.

Beautiful trails for hiking or biking. Kid and dog friendly

Beautiful and scenic trails, dog friendly, great place to relax.

Very nice place, good trails and they keep them clean.

A good place to see Nature. Peacfull.

Awesome! Ive been looking for a nature park with some terrain. This park didnt have much, but it worked.

5.00 per car. Travelling from out of state, I had no cash on me, so I will never know.

Beautiful trail to hike through. The terrain is a bit rough for a hike but not impossible. Be careful at the end,this place is full of ticks!

Very beautiful, large variety of wildlife, they offer tours, make sure you wear your walking shoes bc theres miles of trailways...I love this place right on Paynes Prairie...Definitely worth the stop think its $5 a vehicle and 3.5 miles of trails.

Great hiking and biking trails

This place is great, lots of tree cover and beautiful changes in scenery. Follow the map, stay on the trail and youll see it change from a nice trail climbing up between posts 2 & 7 or head east over the new bridge and cross into the sandhills on the other side. All in all its a great, shaded trail. a great alternative to Hawthorne. Not ideal for bikes (rutting) but some still come and ride respectfully. Remember, its a preserve! Bring poop bags

Another one of Gainesville’s pleasant places to walk for an escape into a natural setting.

Nice trails through different types of woodlands. Beautiful views of the creek along parts of the trail.

Great place to see alligators and tons birds!

Great place for a run, & safe haven for containing your mental sanity.

Great set of trails, shaded for a good portion of it. I love this place.

Quite place

Is comfortable relaxing and family-orientedThank you

Nice trails, an easy place to walk for exercise.

This place is GREAT! Amazing plants and animals everywhere!

Very pleasant hiking, and the pond overlook is worth staying for awhile - bench provided!

Great place to hike!

Excellent place for nature viewing, particularly birds.

Beautiful area in gainesville

Love taking my dog for a walk here

Best breakfast burrito, great service, great location

Excellelent place for hiking or relaxing

It was nice and beautiful

Beautiful

Nice walking trail

Such a beautiful big park

Well done.

It was amazing to see

Very well maintained

Refreshing

Beautiful

Beautiful area

Just beautiful

Nice hiking trails

Amazing nature preserve

Very pretty