Group Landing
37 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
Outdoors
Swimming holes and lakes near Gainesville
Lakes, rivers and beaches near Gainesville where swimming is allowed on public land.
12places to swim
37 mito the closest
March–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.
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.
Map of all 12 places
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30 to 75 miles (9)
Group Landing
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
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
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
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
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses approximately 55,000 acres of salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands, oyster bars, estuarine lagoons, upland habitat and offshore seas in Northeast Florida.
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (3)
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
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
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
A WALK AROUND TOWN
Downtown Gainesville Florida Walking Tour
A recorded downtown Gainesville walk, passing University Avenue, storefront blocks and the clock-tower area. Shared by Florida Streaming; the creator’s closing graphics are part of the original film.
Watch on YouTube ↗
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A Relaxing Walking Tour Downtown Gainesville, Florida | City Walk USA
A short recorded walk along downtown Gainesville’s palm-lined streets and pedestrian areas, including The Promenade. Shared by City Walk USA.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Gainesville
Questions
Where is the closest place for swimming near Gainesville?
Group Landing (USDA Forest Service), about 37 miles north 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 swimming near Gainesville?
Based on Gainesville’s average highs, March–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.