Florida Hikes

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

Marsh edged by trees

Little Orange Creek Preserve

Protected uplands and wetlands converge where a set of trails lead to observation platforms overlooking scenic vistas of the Little Orange Creek watershed.

Hawthorne (29.594774, -82.062948)   3.6 miles  

A partnership between multiple organizations, Little Orange Creek Preserve is a large conservation project near the historic town of Hawthorne.

Original land acquisitions began in 2012 and the preserve opened for visitors in 2017.

New fences and bare ground with signage The trailhead as it looked soon after opening in 2017

A well-marked trail system traverses the property. Two wooden lookout towers border the extensive wetlands.

On the south side of SR 20 across from the preserve, Little Orange Creek Nature Park features an environmental education center with picnic areas, a playground, and a hike to a historic site.

Sign for trail with pines beyond Kathy Cantwell was instrumental in the creation of both parks

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
 
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: Hawthorne
Length: 3.6 miles
Trailhead: 29.594774, -82.062948
Address: State Road 20, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Alachua Conservation Trust
Phone: 352-373-1078

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Directions


 
From the intersection of SR 20 and SR 26 east of downtown Gainesville, head southeast on SR 20 for 15 miles, crossing through Hawthorne and passing the trailhead on the left, and continuing for a half mile to a turnaround. Heading west on SR 20, the parking area will be on the right in a half mile.

Hike

Starting at the trailhead kiosk, head towards a sign for the Kathy Cantwell Trail next to a path leading into the woods.

Immediately shaded by a dense canopy of planted pines mixed with oaks, follow the leaf strewn trail as it slopes towards Little Orange Creek.

Trailhead with kiosk Trailhead

Orange diamonds mark the main trail while passing an intersection with the blue-blazed Sandhill Restoration trail at 0.3 mile.

Entering a hardwood forest on the border of wetland habitats, the terrain underfoot quickly becomes uneven and potentially soggy.

Orange diamond on pine Orange trail marker

Near the northern junction of the blue and red trails, a tall observation deck stands adjacent to an open expanse, overlooking the Little Orange Creek floodplain.

Following trail markers eastward, the pathway weaves along the water’s edge.

Purple plumes of pickerelweed flowers bloom among a variety of aquatic vegetation and maple trees.

Corner of wooden deck with marsh view View from the observation deck

As the sound of traffic noise fades in the distance, a handful of benches along the route provide a resting spot to relax among the soothing sounds of nature.

Under a dense overstory, ferns flourish alongside beautyberry bushes and an occasional pawpaw or sandhill milkweed.

These are indicators that sandhill habitat may have historically covered large areas of the property.

Bench in deep shade of sandhills Trailside bench

Shortly after crossing an access road, continue northward, crossing a short boardwalk to an observation deck at the end of the trail.

Amid a scenic panoramic view of Fowlers Prairie, waterfowl roost in a small stand of nearby cypress trees.

Tower standing above marsh Creek overlook

Tracing footsteps back to the trail junction in 0.8 mile, turn left to follow blue blazes across the Sandhill Restoration Trail.

Planted longleaf pine saplings dot the landscape, topped with poofy clusters of dark green needles.

This sandy trail crosses open uplands for a half mile before returning to the shaded red trail for the final quarter mile back to the trailhead.

Trail past young longleaf pines Blue Trail

Trail Map

Little Orange Creek Preserve Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

A walk through Little Orange Creek Preserve

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring in this area.

Paved path through lush swamp forest Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail One of North Florida’s oldest bike paths, the 15.3 mile linear Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail provides a mostly shaded rural ride.
Blue blaze on tree in pine forest Lake Alto Preserve North A well-marked system of trails weaves around wetlands and across upland pine forests to a dock overlooking scenic Lake Alto.
Footpath in woods with red marked trail Newnans Lake East Hiking Trail Well-marked hiking and biking trails lead to a dugout canoe replica at the edge of a lake once known as Pithlachocco, "the place of long boats."
Plank bridge in lush forest Newnans Lake West Hiking Trail A set of connected loop trails explore wet flatwoods, sparrow-filled pastures, and planted pines on the western slope of Newnans Lake State Forest.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Chris Stevens
Latest posts by Chris Stevens (see all)
Category: , , , , , Tag: , , , , , ,