Santa Fe River Preserve

SUMMARY

Size: 1,067 acres
Years conserved: 2012 to present
Partner Organizations: Florida Communities Trust

ABOUT THE PRESERVE

Santa Fe River Preserve protects 1,067 acres on the banks of the Santa Fe River near Worthington Springs. The preserve includes high bluffs along the river and an interesting tangle of floodplain forest where the New River converges with the Santa Fe.

The preserve has an interesting mix of flora which in turn support a wide diversity of wildlife. There are wild azaleas and rain lilies along the banks; river birch, cypress and tupelo in the bottomland; patches of longleaf pines and sand post oaks with wiregrass groundcover in the uplands, and a rich slope forest that surrounds Santa Fe Creek along the Gracy Trail. Bears frequent the river corridor, and rare and endangered mussels persist along the river bottom.

In 2022, ACT opened a new segment of Santa Fe River Preserve. Known as Santa Fe River Preserve South, this part of the preserve offers nearly 2 miles of hiking trails connected to a small parking area, benches, and a picnic area.

In 2023, ACT in partnership with the Florida Paddling Trails Association and REI Co-op with opened two kayak take-out points along the river.

TRAILHEAD ADDRESSES

Main Trailhead Entrance: 27025 North State Road 121, Alachua, FL 32615 (Google Maps)

North Trailhead Entrance: The entrance to the North Trailhead is approximately 1.5 miles north of the South (Main) Entrance at the GPS coordinates of 29.916130, -82.426157 (Google Maps)

South Trailhead Entrance: The entrance to the South Trailhead is located along NW 254th Avenue at the GPS coordinates of 29.883995, -82.404949 (Google Maps)

GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

  • Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset.

  • Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.

  • Trails are unpaved and in some places can be muddy, uneven, or wet.

  • Drones are not permitted without permission from ACT.

  • Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

TRAIL MAP

Click on the map image to download the full preserve guide.

A portion of Santa Fe River Preserve was purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust.

Banner image by Kim Davidson.