Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail

The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail is a paved multi-use rail trail that traverses the northern edge of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, offering cyclists, hikers, and inline skaters a smooth, accessible corridor through one of Florida most ecologically significant landscapes. The trail follows a converted railroad grade, providing long, straight sightlines across open prairie and through mixed hardwood hammocks. The flat surface and wide path make it ideal for families and those seeking extended, low-intensity exercise.

From elevated sections, hikers enjoy sweeping views of Paynes Prairie, where bison, horses, and cranes are visible in the distance. The prairie basin stretches to the horizon in both directions, giving a sense of the vast open landscape that once dominated north-central Florida. Interpretive panels at key viewpoints explain the ecology, hydrology, and cultural history of the prairie, including its Seminole and pre-Columbian heritage. The trail connects the Gainesville metropolitan area with the small town of Hawthorne, and the out-and-back format from the park entrance allows visitors to travel as far as desired before returning.