Lake Shore Group Camp
38 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.
Outdoors
Hiking near Gainesville
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Gainesville, closest first.
20places to hike
38 mito the closest
November–Aprilbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Ocean Pond Campground
39 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
Salt Springs Recreation Area
43 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
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30 to 75 miles (15)
Lake Shore Group Camp
Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Ocean Pond Campground
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
- Accessible Swimming
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Mill Dam Group Camp
Mill Dam Group Campground offers a fun and relaxing setting for groups of up to 150 to enjoy Ocala National Forest.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is bisected by 20 miles of the famous Suwannee River and includes 30 miles of coastal marsh habitat along the Gulf of Mexico.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Juniper Springs Rec Area
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka NWR was established in 1943 for waterfowl conservation. The refuge protects saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps in Homosassa, FL.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Photography
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Buck Lake Group Campground
Buck Lake is a group camping facility in the heart of Ocala National Forest in Florida. Great for family reunions and social gatherings, the campground can host a group of up to 50 guests along the shores of Buck Lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Swimming
Lake Dorr Cabin
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
River Forest Group Site
River Forest is a shaded group camping facility on the shores of the St. Johns River in Ocala National Forest.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” The refuge conserves the unique features of the Okefenokee Swamp,the headwaters of the Suwannee and…
- Boating
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.
- Boating
- Hiking
- History
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (5)
Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits
Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland…
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Cumberland Island National Seashore
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Canaveral National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge traces its beginnings to the development of the nation’s Space Program. In 1962, NASA acquired the lands and waters adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Gainesville. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Gainesville
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Watch on YouTube ↗
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A Relaxing Walking Tour Downtown Gainesville, Florida | City Walk USA
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Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Gainesville
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Gainesville?
Lake Shore Group Camp (USDA Forest Service), about 38 miles southeast of Gainesville as the crow flies. Next are Ocean Pond Campground (39 mi) and Salt Springs Recreation Area (43 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Gainesville?
Based on Gainesville’s average highs, November–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.