Acquired by Alachua County and the Alachua Conservation Trust in 2019, Fox Pen Preserve protects sensitive habitats in the Orange Creek Basin.
Upland sandhill communities within the preserve are undergoing restoration efforts after years of fire suppression, returning the landscape to a more natural state.
While the trail showcases this ecosystem transition, portions of the route can have rough footing, especially when following along the firebreaks.
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Overview
Location: Hawthorne
Length: 1.9 miles
Trailhead: 29.556611, -82.061889
Address: 10777 Holden Park Rd, Hawthorne
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Alachua Conservation Trust
Phone: 352-373-1078
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From the junction of SR 20 and SR 26 east of downtown Gainesville, head southeast on SR 20 for 14.3 miles. Turn right onto US 301 southbound. In 0.8 miles, make a left onto 75th Ave, continuing for 1.7 miles before reaching the parking area on the left side of the road.
Hike
Beginning the hike at an information kiosk with detailed information about the preserve and paper maps, follow a clear trail leading eastward into the woods.
A mix of pines and hardwood trees form a shady canopy overhead in a successional forest that has formed over years due to fire suppression.
Trailhead kioskIn a tenth of a mile, turn right at a directional sign to start the loop portion of the trail.
Orange diamond shaped markers with arrows lead the way as the trail curves southward along a wide, leaf strewn pathway.
Loop startClustered woolly and slimleaf paw paws dot the forest floor alongside a few Florida rosemary bushes, revealing elements of a sandhill community.
At 0.2 mile, the trail enters a section of the preserve that has been treated with prescribed fire.
Paw pawsWiregrass, gopher apples, and bracken ferns carpet open areas of pine savanna dotted with bluejack and turkey oaks.
Reaching 0.4 mile, turn to follow a sandy firebreak where an interpretive sign explains why certain species of birds rely on healthy upland forests like this to thrive.
Interpretive signageThe route returns to successional forest at 0.7 mile, weaving northward across a lush green landscape as hardwoods slowly begin to outnumber pines on the approach to Moss Lee Lake.
At 1.3 mile, the trail makes a sharp turn at a picnic bench nestled under live oaks near the water’s edge.
Lakeview tableAs the path turns away from the lake, follow orange trail markers across a sparse understory cast with dappled sunlight.
Grapevines string along the forest floor and up into the canopy, weaving between beautyberries and sporadic wildflowers.
Reaching the end of the loop at 1.8 miles, turn right and continue for a tenth of a mile before finishing the hike at the trailhead.
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Explore More!
Video
Hiking Fox Pen Preserve
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