HomeFloridaTallahassee › Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,823 Google reviews · Running trail in Tallahassee, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicQuiet

Centered around manicured gardens, this park also features trails, swimming, fishing & kayaking.

What runners say about Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,823 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 17 mentions

“Maclay Gardens really comes alive in the spring, but is beautiful year-round.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“The gardens are peaceful and well maintained, and it’s a great place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.”

Went here exploring Tallahassee. This is such a beautiful park. The garden is absolutely gorgeous with amazing views. We went on a very hot day, so we are planning to go back when the weather cools down to enjoy some of the hiking trails this park has to offer. There is a nice swimming area that is roped off.

★★★★★ — Janet , Aug 2024

Glad we found this nice park on our trip to Tallahassee. Lots to do here including hikes, garden walks and some nice photo ops. Even had an encounter with a pretty large silk weaver spider. Apparently they are harmless so no need to worry.

★★★★★ — Rohan , Oct 2025

This is one of the most beautiful parks we have visited. We went during peak bloom season for the formal gardens, so it was an additional $6 pp for garden entry. Well worth the price. There were so many beautiful blooms to see and it was so serene.

★★★★★ — Christina , Mar 2026

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is absolutely beautiful. The flowers were in bloom and the reflection pool was set up for a wedding, which made the whole place feel extra special. The gardens are peaceful and well maintained, and it’s a great place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.

★★★★★ — Melissa , Mar 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,823 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“Maclay Gardens really comes alive in the spring, but is beautiful year-round.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“The gardens are peaceful and well maintained, and it’s a great place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.”

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Plan your run at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitefloridastateparks.org
  • Phone(850) 487-4556

Hours

Monday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 8 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday 8 AM–8:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

3540 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32309

Get directions

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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.