If you dream about spending an afternoon on the trail with your horse and a few of your best friends take a look at the trails below.  You might find a new trail to enjoy.

Link to Horse-Friendly Real Estate

Ocala & Marion county are the heart of equestrian activity in Florida, but Alachua County has it’s share of horse lovers.

There are all kinds of activities here, from dressage to trail riding. We put this list of local riding trails together for those of you who are new to the area, or just want to try something new.

North Florida & Alachua Riding Trails

San Felasco
Visit their Website
Visit the Volunteer’s Website

12720 NW 109 Lane
Alachua, Florida 32615
Phone: 386-462-7905

• San Felasco has two entrances: one for hiking and trail running to the south, and one for mountain biking and horse trails to the north. The southern two-thirds of the park is designated for hiking only. The northern most 2,000 acres are designated for multi-use purposes including horseback riding, off-road bicycling, and hiking.
• Map

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Visit their Website

Payne’s Prairie, North

100 Savannah Blvd
Micanopy, FL 32667
352/466-3397

• 2.6 miles of riding trails
• Entrances north and south of the Prairie
• Map

O’Leno State Park
Visit their Website

410 SE Oleno Park Road
High Springs, Florida 32643
Phone: 386/454-1853
Trails, Camping, Ph 904-454-1853

• 20 Miles of Trails
• Horseback riding only in River Rise Preserve State Park
• Map

Gainesville To Hawthorne State Trail
Visit their Website

Gainesville to Hawthorne Trail Map

100 Savannah Boulevard
Micanopy, Florida 32667
352/466-3397

• Trail approx. 17 miles
• Horses are allowed on the trail except east of the Lochloosa trailhead. For most of the distance, a grassy equestrian pathway is available.
• Map

Orange Creek Restoration Area
Visit their Website

c/o St. John’s River Water Management District
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, Florida 32177
386/329-4404

• The north entrance is 2 miles east of Island Grove on County Road (CR) 325. The south entrance is 3 miles east of Citra on CR 318.

Newnan’s Lake
Visit their Website

c/o St. John’s River Water
Management District
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, Florida 32177
386/329-4404

• The Hatchet Creek Tract parking area is located off State Road (SR) 26, approximately 1.5 miles east of County Road (CR) 222.  The North Tract has two parking areas, one off of SR 26, approximately one-half mile west of CR 222, and one on CR 234, approximately two miles south of SR 26. The South Tract parking area is at Owens-Illinois Park, approximately three miles north of SR 20 on Southeast 16th Avenue.
• Map

More resources

The Florida Horse Trails Directory is a great resource for riding trails throughout the state.  It includes maps and addresses to dozens of different trails.

The Florida Horse website also has an extensive listing: http://www.floridahorse.com/trails.html

Florida’s State Forest Trailtrotter Program

Want a current list of horse-friendly homes for sale in Alachua County?