Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Park bench overlooking creek in ravine

Blues Creek Ravine Preserve

A pair of loop trails connected by a bridge over Blues Creek wander rolling landscapes under the shady canopy of an upland hardwood forest.

Gainesville (29.718222, -82.418028)   2.1 miles  

One of several Alachua Conservation Trust properties open to the public around Gainesville, Blues Creek Ravine Preserve showcases a densely forested ecosystem found only in northern portions of the state.

Open to hiking and bicycling, the preserve provides a set of loops trails accessed from a linear trail at the entrance.

Although parking is not allowed at the trailhead, the property is only a short distance down a quiet dirt road, and the extra half mile of walking is well worth the effort.

Blue diamond trail marker on tree in shady forest Blue diamonds mark the way

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Five Star Trails Gainesville Ocala book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Gainesville
Length: 2.1 miles
Trailhead: 29.717972, -82.415278
Address: NW 69th Ave, Gainesville
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Alachua Conservation Trust
Phone: 352-373-1078

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Although a sign at 69th Ave says “Private Drive” the road is publicly accessible and signs for the preserve point the way to the trailhead.

Directions


 
From Interstate 75 west of Gainesville, exit onto SR 222 (NW 39th Ave). Head east 3.3 miles before turning left onto NW 43rd St. In a mile, make a left onto Millhopper Rd, then turn right at NW 71st St after 1.9 miles. In a half mile, the parking area is to the left on the side of the road.

Hike

Crossing over NW 71st Street to 69th Ave, follow the dirt road for 0.2 miles to an inviting trailhead with a bike rack and map kiosk.

The trail parallels a chain link fence for another tenth of a mile before delving into the woods. Fallen leaves crunch underfoot. A harmonious blend of bird chirps echo in the distance.

Entrance kiosk and signage Preserve entrance

Sparkleberry, American holly, and clusters of saw palmetto dot the grassy understory as the trail passes a picnic table before beginning a gradual descent toward the ravines.

Several attractive signs along the route provide information and pictures about wildlife and habitats within the preserve.

picnic table in shady forest Shaded picnic table

Turning right at the first loop in 0.4 mile, follow diamond shaped red blazes for a short distance to a side trail leading toward the creek.

A trickling waterfall empties into the tannic stream at the end of the spur, where a thoughtfully placed bench provides a tranquil spot to rest.

Park bench along a horseshoe of a creek Creek bench

Reaching a junction of trails near the half mile mark, cross over the creek on a sturdy wooden bridge before climbing away from the water on a small switchback.

Blue blazes lead the way along the eastern loop as traverses a contoured landscape, passing a few shallow sinkholes before reaching the edge of a steep ravine.

Wooden bridge over ravine in folded landscape Bridge crossing

Tracing along a creekside bluff, the trail offers unique vantage points of miniature valleys below.

Damselflies dance above the fern lined water’s edge as the slow process of erosion reveals limestone rocks hidden under the surface.

Rocks in trickle of creek between limestone walls Exposed limestone

Returning to the creek bridge at 1.5 miles, the Blue Trail ends where the second half of the Red Trail begins.

While you follow the rim of a small sinkhole depression, the undulating terrain steadily becomes more level before reaching the trailhead at 1.9 miles.

Continue west along the dirt road for 0.2 mile, finishing the hike at the parking area alongside NW 71st Street.

Sharp horseshoe in a creek in the woods Blues Creek

Trail Map

Blues Creek Ravine Preserve Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

A walk through Blues Creek Ravine Preserve

Nearby Adventures

Devils Millhopper stairs down Devils Millhopper Geological State Park It's the trickle of water that catches your attention, the steady drip and splash down the rocky rim and into the depths of one of Florida's largest sinkholes at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
Broad path through tall trees in open forest San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park Florida's weird karst geology meets a forest of towering hardwood trees in this botanically significant preserve on the edge of Gainesville.
Fancy bridge with grated floor across a deep stream Mill Creek Preserve Slip through a curtain of pine plantation to discover a folded karst landscape with towering American beeches, spruce pines, swamp chestnut oaks, and a small waterfall on a 5.3 mile hike.
Alfred Ring Park Trail Alfred A. Ring Park Featuring a dense slope forest along Hogtown Creek with old-growth trees and rare wildflowers along Appalachian-style ravines, this is a scenic hike in the heart of Gainesville.

Official Website

Chris Stevens
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