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Split Rock Conservation Area
4.1 ★★★★☆ 106 Google reviews · Running trail in Gainesville, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- 1.6 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Split Rock Conservation Area'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.
Wooded 241-acre nature park with a loop trail for hiking, biking & on-leash dog walking.
What runners say about Split Rock Conservation Area
“It is ideal for mountain bikes probably riding a horse walking and it's very scenic many different Pathways to choose.”
Great place to visit in colder weather first thing in the morning. Been told to avoid it in the summer due to mosquitoes and tics, along with areas that flood. Other than that, enjoy the 1.6 mile loop in winter, lots to see if you pay attention.
Great trail! It starts at (29.6391743, -82.4105220). There is some more info on Alltrails. There is the cool side trail to Split Rock and the photos below can help guide you there! I'll also put it on Alltrails.
**The entrance is on the left end of the fence with 2 wooden posts** Its a nice trail with beautiful scenery. The 1.6 mile path isn't too difficult for anyone and should be very enjoyable for most ages. There are a couple geocaching locations scattered along the way and don't require too much searching.
The trail is very beautiful, however not very well groomed. There are often branches and other debris laying across the trail which forces you to leave the trail- and this does not seem like a forest where you should be leaving the trail (lots of bugs)
Trail conditions & character
“6 mile loop in winter, lots to see if you pay attention.”
“It is ideal for mountain bikes probably riding a horse walking and it's very scenic many different Pathways to choose.”
“No parking lot but there is a small area on the side of the road by the trail entrance where you could park maybe one or two cars.”
“This Wooded Maze Of Evergreen and Shades of Golden Brown is The Ideal Place To Find Peace , Enjoy The Wilderness, and Maybe Catch a Glimpse Of Gainesville's Local Wildlife.”
“The new boardwalk is very nice and the trail is well kept.”
Plan your run at Split Rock Conservation Area
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
- Loop distance1.6 mi back to where you parked
- 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.
- Websitegainesvillefl.gov
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
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.
John Mahon Nature Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 57 reviews
Park featuring a trail that's well-suited for kids.
Cofrin Nature Park
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Forested area with a half-mile hiking trail & wetlands fed by Beville Heights Creek.
Loblolly Woods Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 822 reviews
This 159-acre forested open space featuring paths & boardwalks is popular for bird watching.
Alfred A. Ring Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 667 reviews
A hiking trail runs through this densely forested park with a wildflower garden & play area.
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,414 reviews
Lush park where visitors can hike to view small waterfalls, thick foliage & a 120-ft. cavity.