Named after a culturally significant body of water near the outskirts of Gainesville, Newnans Lake State Forest is a popular destination for hiking and biking split into two publicly accessible sections by SR 26.
The western side of the forest features two designated hiking trails. The blue-blazed West Trail alone follows a 0.9 mile loop back to the trailhead. Combined with the red-blazed Sparrow Trail, this hike covers 1.8 miles.
Hiking the Sparrow TrailResources
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: Gainesville
Length: 1.8 miles
Trailhead: 29.663694, -82.252472
Address: 1011 NE 55th Blvd, Gainesville
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida State Forests
Phone: 352-395-4932
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 387, follow Newberry Rd east 1.1 miles. Turn left on 8th Ave. After 5.1 miles, use the traffic circle to turn south onto NE 9th St. In a half mile, turn left on SR 24. Continue 2.7 miles and make a left onto SR 26. In a mile, the trailhead will be on the left side of the road.
Hike
Starting at the north end of the parking area alongside an information kiosk, the trail passes through a small clearing with a picnic bench before entering the woods.
Blue blazes lead the way through a wet flatwoods community of mixed hardwoods and tall loblolly pines.
West TrailheadFollow a corridor of fallen pine needles bordered by bunches of feathery green grass.
The loop portion of the trail begins after crossing a tiny seasonal creek on a bridge made of wooden posts.
Plank bridgeTurning right to begin a clockwise route around the loop, continue straight at a junction with the Sparrow Trail at 0.3 mile.
Red trail markers tacked to trees indicate the way as the path begins to climb gently contoured terrain.
Trail junctionBy 0.4 mile, the landscape changes quickly as the trail enters a section of planted longleaf pines.
A well-worn pathway winds through oddly straight rows of pine trees accompanied by tall grasses, blackberry brambles, and an array of wildflowers.
Planted longleaf pinesAt 0.7 mile, the Sparrow Loop leads across an open pasture accented with a few Spanish moss-covered live oak trees in the middle.
A well-placed sign at the center displays over a dozen species of sparrows that frequent this area throughout the year.
Sparrow sign in the pastureAs the trail transitions to another plot of planted pines on the western side of the loop, remnant native plant species sprout from orange tinted soils of this former sandhill habitat.
Clusters of wooly and slimleaf pawpaws dot the forest floor, bursting out of dormancy with fresh leaves and cream colored blooms in the springtime.
Pawpaw in bloomContinue straight where the Sparrow Trail ends at a junction with the east loop at 1.4 miles.
Blue blazes lead southward over undulating terrain as a dense overstory covered in grape vines casts ample shade.
Crossing over the small wooden bridge again at 1.7 miles, the path rounds one final corner before returning to the trailhead picnic table.
Picnic spotTrail Map
Explore More!
Explore the east side of Newnans Lake State Forest
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."Video
Hiking the West Hiking Trail at Newnans Lake State Forest
Nearby Adventures
Morningside Nature Center Since 1970, Morningside Nature Center has been Gainesville's flagship nature park, protecting the largest stand of longleaf pine savanna remaining within city limits.
Loblolly Woods Nature Park Protecting 159 acres of lush forests along the confluence of Possum Creek and Hogtown Creek, Loblolly Woods Nature Park is a beauty spot in urban Gainesville.
Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve An excellent example of conservation of natural lands, Buck Bay Flatwoods provides a pair of loop trails through a gradient of habitats including restored pine flatwoods.
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. 
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026