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Newnans Lake State Forest
4.6 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · Running trail in Gainesville, Florida · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 5.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Newnans Lake State Forest'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.
Dog-friendly forested area offering multiple hiking and biking trails, and picnic tables.
What runners say about Newnans Lake State Forest
“I love taking my drone to newman's lake it's a beautiful place take time out to stop by very beautiful sunrise about 6:30ish”
“Nice shady trail for a casual walk with your pets or place to be alone with your thoughts.”
“Shaded by lots of beautiful trees and trail paths are easy to follow.”
“So peaceful and relaxing.”
This address won’t get you to the parking lot. Use the address to Pithlachocco Lake Sparrow trail or West Hiking trail to park and also get on the trail. The former leads to the lake. The latter offers a impressive forest view. We enjoyed our time there.
This is an awesome and easy trail. Dog friendly (must be leashed and should bring your own water + bags). It’s a 2.5 mile loop for hikes and 5.5 miles for bikes. Shaded by lots of beautiful trees and trail paths are easy to follow. Lovely bird sounds everywhere.
Good sized parking lot at the trailhead. Very few people on the weekdays, but I noticed the lot fills up more on the weekends. Well marked trail for hikers and separately marked trail for bikes. Trail is well maintained and is just under 3 miles.
Beautiful 2.5 mile walking trail and 5 mile mountain bike trail, goes all the way to the lake and loops back to parking lot. Well marked and cleared. As for the ticks mentioned in another review, this is Florida and you are in the woods. This is expected. The bugs were actually minor for this dry time of the year.
Trail conditions & character
“The trails out to the lake overlook weave through creek and swamp areas, pine forest, and oak hammocks, all while staying a moderate length (2.”
“5 mile walking trail and 5 mile mountain bike trail, goes all the way to the lake and loops back to parking lot.”
“Nice shady trail for a casual walk with your pets or place to be alone with your thoughts.”
“NOT stroller/off road stroller friendly though, lots of exposed roots on trails but nice for walking and baby wearing(minimal bugs too!”
“5 mile walking trail and 5 mile mountain bike trail, goes all the way to the lake and loops back to parking lot.”
“Dog friendly (must be leashed and should bring your own water + bags).”
“NOT stroller/off road stroller friendly though, lots of exposed roots on trails but nice for walking and baby wearing(minimal bugs too!”
“Well marked trail for hikers and separately marked trail for bikes.”
“There's a point with picnic tables, a little canoe display, and a great boardwalk onto the lake.”
Plan your run at Newnans Lake State Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance5.5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefdacs.gov
- Phone(352) 395-4950
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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