Immediately west of well-known Devil’s Millhopper, San Felasco Hammock holds many secrets across its expansive 7,400 acres stretching from Gainesville to Alachua.
Karst features provide points of interest, including sinkholes, swallets, and losing streams that vanish into the earth.
Sinkhole along the Old Spanish WayIt’s the nearest peninsular Floridians can get to the feel of the Appalachians on a walk in the woods, with sassafras and trillium growing on shady slopes.
Much of the trail network lies beneath an incredibly high canopy of towering pines and hardwoods.
Many of the tall trees astounded usResources
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Overview
Trailhead: 29.714571,-82.460853
Address: 11101 Millhopper Road, Gainesville
Fees: $4 vehicle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist
Restroom: At the trailheads
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-955-2008
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed pets welcome, but please do not go off trail with them.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 390, take SR 222 (NW 39th Ave) west 2.9 miles to CR 241 (NW 143rd Street). Turn right. Drive 2 miles north to Millhopper Rd (NW 69th Ave) and turn right. Continue 2 miles to the hiker parking area on the south side of the road.
The equestrian / cyclist trailhead is at 13201 San Felasco Pky, Alachua. Take exit 399 off Interstate 75 for US 441 southbound. Drive 2.7 miles to Progress Blvd. Turn right. Continue 0.6 mile to the trailhead, the road name changing as it enters the park.
About the Park
The southernmost northern deciduous forest, the leafy glades of San Felasco Hammock are a delight to explore.
Rugged terrain characterizes much of the preserve, from distinct karst features to steepheads to rolling hills cradling ponds and lakes.
Hiking past a large sinkholeThe forest is full of ancient echoes. Layers of history date back to Florida’s earliest residents, with artifacts found dating back to 8000 BC.
When the Spanish established their San Francisco de Potano mission, one of the earliest in the New World, this was a crossroad of cultures centuries ago.
Along the Old Spanish WayTrails
The preserve is zoned for several recreation uses, with two primary entrances west of US 441 between Gainesville and Alachua.
For off-road cyclists and equestrians, a trailhead on San Felasco Pkwy in Alachua provides ample parking and access to dedicated trail networks in the north end of the preserve.
The rambling network of equestrian trails is a series of connected loops criss-crossing the bike trails. Both are in hilly terrain.
Visible dropoff at the top of a ridgeHiking
For hikers, the parking area along Millhopper Road leads to miles of marked hiking trails.
We’ve personally mapped 10.2 miles of hiking north and south of Millhopper Rd on two trail networks.
The Spring Grove Trail surprised us with its hillsUsing the park maps, you can extend or compress your hiking routes using forest roads and marked cross trails that enable shortcuts.
South from the trailhead, Moonshine Creek Trail is a 2.5 mile loop around a losing stream and sinkhole amid lush slope and deciduous forests.
Pausing for a look at Moonshine CreekNorth of Millhopper Rd, the North Hiking Trails are made up of the Spring Grove Trail, largely in very hilly terrain in the sandhills, and the Old Spanish Way.
The latter trail circles karst features and marshes for a 7.7 mile perimeter hike, with shorter options possible using cross trails.
Moonshine Creek Trails Delicate Appalachian wildflowers bloom in the deep shade of a slope forest surrounding Moonshine Creek, a stream that vanishes into an enormous marshy sinkhole.Trail Map
Related Articles
At San Felasco Hammock (5/16/2013) At San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, two hiking trail systems offer two different perspectives on karst landscapes and dense deciduous forests.Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of San Felasco Hammock Preserve State 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
Mill Creek Preserve Mill Creek Preserve encompasses 5-plus miles of hiking on nearly 1,200 acres of unexpected delights in an area well-known for its sinkholes and disappearing streams.
Santa Fe River Preserve Gracy Trail Peaceful pathways wind alongside a tranquil creek through shady woodlands, offering a quiet hike among the timid wildlife that call the Santa Fe River Basin home. 
Santa Fe River Preserve A relaxed hike in a wooded preserve, the Blue Trail at Santa Fe River Preserve crosses sandhills and shady oak hammocks to reach the bluffs of its namesake river.