Acquired in 2018 in a joint venture between the Alachua Conservation Trust and Alachua County, Serenola Forest Preserve protects over 120 acres in south Gainesville.
The trail system is easy to follow, showcasing an impressive variety of trees within a mixed hardwood hammock community.
It is one of many woodlands around Gainesville preserved by the Alachua Conservation TrustResources
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Overview
Location: Gainesville
Length: 1 mile
Trailhead: 29.607972, -82.349083
Address: SW 20th Terrace, Gainesville
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Alachua Conservation Trust
Phone: 352-373-1078
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. The preserve is not far from Squirrel Ridge Park and its popular dog park.
Directions
Exiting Interstate 75 at SR 331 at the south end of Gainesville, head east on SR 331 for 1.4 miles before turning right onto SW 21st St. In a quarter mile, make a left onto SW 44th Ave, then an immediate right onto SW 20th Terrace. In 0.2 mile, the parking area will be on the left side of the street past Idylwild Elementary School.
Hike
Beginning at the roadside parking area, spend a moment at the trailhead kiosk to learn more about the preserve, and pick up a paper trail map.
A sign indicates the start of the trail, where the wide pathway passes an inviting picnic bench nestled under a shady canopy.
Trailhead kioskOrange blazed posts lead the way as the trail crosses contoured terrain under a canopy of elm, box elder, hickory, and sweetgum trees.
An assortment of saplings and shrubs border the trail, forming a dense understory covered in grapevines and catbriers.
Shaded trailReaching the end of the orange trail at 0.2 mile, turn right to follow white markers past a picnic bench in a small clearing before beginning the loop portion.
Continue westward. A scattering of tall pines join the mix, rising high above the hardwoods in search of more sunlight.
Picnic spotIn the springtime, coral beans bloom alongside the trail, sporting striking tubular flowers to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
The white loop continues for a half mile before concluding near the picnic bench.
Coral bean in bloomHeading back towards the parking area, a blue trail splits off at a junction with the white and orange trails.
The blue blazed path leads through open spaces lined with tall grasses and goldenrods before reaching the southern trailhead in 0.2 mile.
This trailhead is a short 0.1 mile walk from the starting point to the north.
Blue trail markerTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Serenola Forest Preserve
Nearby Adventures
UF NATL Nature Trails Circling restoration and natural areas on the campus of the University of Florida, the UF NATL Nature Trails provide an excellent orientation to Florida's native trees, plants, and grasses. 
Sweetwater Wetlands Park A gem for Gainesville, Sweetwater Wetlands Park offers a unique perspective on Paynes Prairie.
Bivens Arm Nature Park The City of Gainesville's very first nature park, Bivens Arm Nature Park surrounds a marshy arm of Paynes Prairie where mature pines tower above the network of nature trails.
Hogtown Creek Greenway As Hogtown Creek threads its way through modern-day Gainesville, step into the past along a string of urban nature preserves.
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- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
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