HomeFloridaGainesville › Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 507 Google reviews · Running trail in Gainesville, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature 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.

BoardwalkLoopShadedScenicRestrooms

Shaded playground and park and fitness equipment plus nature trails going by a creek.

What runners say about Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (507 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Bathroom conveniently located at front of park entrance and everything was clean and maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“They're all so beautiful hiking trails that criss cross a small creek that flows from the head water”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“There's a small museum, a large playground area, picnic tables in the shade, bird feeders that attract many species and a butterfly garden.”

This place is a small playground for children near the entrance. They're all so beautiful hiking trails that criss cross a small creek that flows from the head water

★★★★☆ — Ryan , May 2019

A very pleasant walk! There is a lot of shade, which I appreciated on this warm summer morning. There is a boardwalk area, and a nice creek flowing by parts of the trail. We saw lots of birds and even a small deer. Most of the path is bare dirt, could be muddy on rainy days.

★★★★★ — Chad , Jul 2024

First off this park is one of the best parks I. Gainesville so far! The zip lining, music area, exercise equipment along the trail, the mini rock climbing, and etc. My son had a blast at this park and it’s so much for him to do at this park! They also have a trail to walk on and just beautiful scenery.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Aug 2021

Great little gem in NW Gainesville. For kids: Child friendly-small zip line, musical play area, climbing 'rock' for kids, a covered area, plus swings and slides. For the family: Also has a Fitness Loop, and walking trails. A wonderful way to enjoy nature and the natural beauty of North Central Florida!

★★★★☆ — Oj , May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 507 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.

🔁 Loop trail 4 mentions

“Great shaded park, with an awesome playground, fitness loop and a trails for hiking.”

More trails like this →

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“There's a small museum, a large playground area, picnic tables in the shade, bird feeders that attract many species and a butterfly garden.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“They're all so beautiful hiking trails that criss cross a small creek that flows from the head water”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Bathroom conveniently located at front of park entrance and everything was clean and maintained.”

More trails like this →

🪵 Boardwalk

“There is a boardwalk area, and a nice creek flowing by parts of the trail.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitegainesvillefl.gov
  • Phone(352) 334-5000

Hours

Monday 8 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–5 PM
Thursday 8 AM–5 PM
Friday 8 AM–5 PM
Saturday 8 AM–5 PM
Sunday 8 AM–5 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 Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

1500 NW 45th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605

Get directions

Running trails near Gainesville

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

Alfred A. Ring Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 667 reviews

Gainesville, FL

ScenicDog-friendly

A hiking trail runs through this densely forested park with a wildflower garden & play area.

1.5 miles away

Possum Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,045 reviews

Gainesville, FL

ShadedDog-friendly

Multi-use preserve featuring a skate park, dog park, nature trail & playground on 76 acres.

2.6 miles away

Four Creeks Preserve

3.7 ★★★★☆ 26 reviews

Gainesville, FL

3 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

2.6 miles away

Loblolly Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Gainesville, FL

Mixed

3.0 miles away

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,414 reviews

Gainesville, FL

BoardwalkScenic

Lush park where visitors can hike to view small waterfalls, thick foliage & a 120-ft. cavity.

3.1 miles away

San Felasco Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 131 reviews

Gainesville, FL

MixedScenic

Peaceful park featuring paved trails, a boardwalk and grilling stations for barbecues.

3.2 miles away

All running trails in Gainesville, FL →

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.