Home › Florida › Alachua › Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate

Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate

4.3 ★★★★☆ 9 Google reviews · Running trail in Alachua, Florida · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate'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.

Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate — running trail in Alachua, FL, photo 1
Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate — running trail in Alachua, FL, photo 2
Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate — running trail in Alachua, FL, photo 3
Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate — running trail in Alachua, FL, photo 4
Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate — running trail in Alachua, FL, photo 5
Open 24hDog-friendlyTrailhead parking

What runners say about Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (9 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Short but sweet. And soggy as the rain had swollen the river. But well marked and quiet. No one else on the trail that day.

★★★★☆ — Jayne , Feb 2019

Great trail that follows the river for a little. Beautiful large rattle snake on the blue trail loop. Eyes open!!

★★★★★ — Robert , Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 9 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly

“Easy trail and dog friendly with a section along the river.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitealachuaconservationtrust.org
  • Social Instagram · 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

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 Santa Fe River Preserve North Gate

Alachua, Florida

Get directions

Running trails near Alachua

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

Santa Fe River Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Alachua, FL

ScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Mill Creek Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 104 reviews

Alachua, FL

3 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Secluded, kid-friendly preserve for enjoying nature and wildlife via hiking trails, plus waterfalls.

4.9 miles away

O'Leno State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,030 reviews

High Springs, FL

LoopScenic

State park on the Santa Fe river featuring a historical suspension bridge, plus camping & hiking.

9.1 miles away

San Felasco Conservation Corridor Trail

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Alachua, FL

9.7 miles away

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 186 reviews

Alachua, FL

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

State park with well-maintained trails that appeal to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

10.2 miles away

Cellon Creek Loop

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Alachua, FL

Loop

10.3 miles away

All running trails in Alachua, 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.