A strip of dense slope forest along Hogtown Creek with old-growth trees and rare wildflowers along Appalachian-style ravines, this destination is a delight to hike.
Gainesville’s first linear park, Alfred Ring Park was a gift to the city from a University of Florida college professor who enjoyed the outdoors and donated the acreage to the county.
He was present for the ribbon cutting when the park opened in 1990, and lived to the age of 101.
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Overview
Location: Gainesville
Length: 1.5 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 29.674283, -82.347019
Address: 1801 NW 23rd Blvd, Gainesville
Fees: None
Restroom: adjoining the picnic pavilion and playground
Land manager: City of Gainesville
Phone: 352-334-5067
Open 8 AM to 6 PM Nov-Apr, 8 AM – 8 PM May-Oct. Leashed pets are welcome.
Directions
From the corner of University Avenue and US 441, drive north on US 441 to Glen Springs Rd (NW 23rd Blvd). Follow it to the entrance for Alfred A. Ring Park on the left, entered through the Elks Lodge parking lot. Your GPS may try to steer you to the walk-in entrance to the park off NW 16th St, where there is no parking.
Hike
Leaving the parking area, you descend towards a broad iron bridge that stretches across Hogtown Creek.
It’s a climb into the upland forest on a nice, broad natural footpath. Skinny loblolly pines tower overhead.
Near a trail coming in from the left, you pass an interpretive sign, “Discover the Habitats of Ring Park.” Look for these detailed signs throughout the park.
The trail reaches a clearing with restrooms, a playground, and a picnic shelter. The trail to the right heads for a back gate into a neighborhood.
Pond in the wildflower garden at Alfred Ring ParkContinue straight ahead to walk through the Emily S. Ring wildflower garden, with native plants – including silver-tinged saw palmetto – accompanied by colorful azalea and camellia.
After a quarter mile, the trail descends out of the cultivated wildflower garden into the upland forest.
In spring, the hillside is carpeted with smooth Solomon’s seal, a wildflower identified with the southern Appalachians.
Passing a trail junction, continue straight ahead and downhill into the slope forest, where ancient Southern magnolias cast broad pools of shade.
One of the many boardwalks at Alfred Ring ParkAt a half mile, the trail reaches a T intersection with a trail paralleling the creek. Turn right to follow this route downstream.
A bench overlooks a pretty horseshoe curve in Hogtown Creek, just before you start walking down a broad boardwalk.
A series of boardwalks parallel Hogtown CreekThe creek basin is a deeply folded landscape, with terrain and views reminiscent of a mountain ravine in North Carolina.
The trail traverses numerous boardwalks and there are several off-trail overlooks for a good perspective of the creek.
Pass an interpretive marker on “Seepage Streams,” which describes how Hogtown Creek is naturally fed by shallow groundwater percolating through the sand.
Turn around at this kiosk at the south end of the trailJust past it is the turnaround point for this walk at the pedestrian entrance off NW 16th Avenue. Return back along the same route to the bench you encountered above the horseshoe bend.
Past the bench after 1.2 miles, continue straight, with a sign alerting you this is the direction to the observation deck and parking area.
Take the right fork at this signAs the trail works its way through a flatter floodplain, you can see a water-filled sink to the right.
The interpretive sign at the observation deck explains how Hogtown Creek is now fed by Gainesville’s runoff, which means that although it is pretty, it’s not very clean.
Enjoy the many views of Hogtown CreekLeaving the deck, turn right to follow the trail uphill. Meet the next trail junction and turn right, walk between a row of towering Southern magnolias as the trail climbs uphill.
When you reach the T intersection, turn right to head to the parking area. Cross the bridge and reach the parking area at the trailhead after 1.5 miles.
Climbing up through the slope forest at the north end of the trailTrail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of Alfred Ring Park
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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
John Mahon Nature Park
Ten acres isn’t a lot for a natural area, but at John Mahon Nature Park in Gainesville, it’s plenty for a quick, refreshing walk in the woods off Newberry Road.
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.
Hogtown Creek Greenway
On the Hogtown Creek Greenway, get lost in the woods in the heart of old Gainesville while getting in touch with the past
Thank you for this incredibly informative introduction to Alfred Ring Park. We are visiting the area and this site has made us sure to visit often! What would you recommend about letting children splash around in the creek?
Thanks! Given the amount of stormwater drainage into Hogtown Creek, it’s probably not a good idea to let the kids splash around in there. No telling what might be in it, chemical-wise.
Beautiful (and fairly cool) park to walk the dog. Only drawback was seeing a coral snake (about 2 ft.) slither across the path!
Coral snakes may be scary because they are venomous, but they are an endangered species. We attended a talk on snakes a few weeks ago where a local expert busted a lot of snake myths. Folks who get bit are generally picking up the snake and handling it. Just keep your distance and admire!
You do need to be careful about what your dog is sniffing/digging at on the side of the trail because of them, though. I walk my dog there all the time, just be aware and you’ll be fine.
You know what, I always thought those were swamp chestnut oaks with the shaggy bark along the trail. I wish I could remember if someone said that to me or I just looked at a guide.
Shaggy bark typically indicates Ostrya virginiana, or commonly named American hophornbeam.