Explore the heart of North Central Florida with a stop in Gainesville and Ocala. Visit natural attractions, biking trails and historic sites with our 4-day itineraries. Stay active with Pedals and Paddles highlights or expand your horizons with scenic views and step into the past with Nature, Culture and History activities.

Pedals and Paddles

Gainesville and Alachua County

Day 1, arrival

• Paddle: Santa Fe River and crystal clear freshwater springs
  Santa Fe Canoe Outpost, operated by Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures
  (352) 507-0059
  21410 US-441, High Springs, FL 32643
• Or Pedal: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park off-road mountain-bike trails
  San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
  386-462-7905
  13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua FL 32615
• Relax for lunch and shopping in the walkable small city of High Springs

Day 2, before departing to Ocala and Marion County

• Paddle: explore Lake Alto and Lake Santa Fe near Waldo and Melrose
  Download the Lake Alto and Lake Santa Fe Paddling Guide (pdf)
• Or Pedal: 16- mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
  Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
  352-466-3397
  3400 S.E. 15th St., Gainesville FL 32641
  

Ocala and Marion County

Day 3

• Paddle: Rainbow River
  Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
  (352) 489-7854
  12121 River View, Dunnellon, FL 34432
• Or Pedal: Bike Santos Trails (open every day)
  Santos Trailhead and Campground
  352-369-2693
  3080 S.E. 80th St., Ocala FL 34470

Day 4

• Paddle: Clear Kayak at Silver Springs State Park
  Get Up and Go Kayaking
  (352) 541-0115
  5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488
• Or Pedal: Baseline Rd Trailhead at the Cross Florida Greenway
  Baseline Road Trailhead
  352-671-8560
  4255 S.E. 58th St., Ocala FL 34480
• Downtown Ocala

Nature, Culture and History

Gainesville and Alachua County

Day 1 arrival

• Nature: 120-foot sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper
  Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
  352-955-2008
  4732 Millhopper Rd., Gainesville FL 32653
• Culture and History: working 1870s farm at Dudley Farm
  Dudley Farm Historic State Park
  352-472-1142
  18730 W Newberry Rd., Newberry FL 32669
• Take a self-guided audio history tour of Gainesville from the Matheson History Museum

Day 2, before departing to Ocala and Marion County

• Nature: birding and wildlife viewing at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
  Sweetwater Wetlands Park
  352-554-5871
  325 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608
• Culture and History: Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida Cultural Plaza
  Florida Museum of Natural History
  352-846-2000
  3215 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
  Harn Musem of Art
  352-392-9826
  3259 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
• Browse boutiques and cafes in the oldest inland town in Florida, Micanopy

Ocala and Marion County

Day 3

• Nature: glass-bottom boats at America’s largest spring at Silver Springs
  Silver Springs State Park
  352-236-7148
  1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala FL 34470
• Culture and History: living history at a US Army frontier outpost at Fort King
  Fort King National Historic Landmark
  (352) 368-5533
  3925 E Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34470
• Historic Downtown Ocala Walking tour

Day 4

• Nature: Travel across springfed lakes with 9 ziplines at The Canyons
  The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park
  352-351-9477
  8045 NW Gainesville Rd., Ocala, FL 34475
• Culture and History: over 24,000 objects and outdoor sculpture garden at the Appleton Museum
  Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida
  352-291-4455
  4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470

With multiple exits on I-75 and connections with Florida along scenic highways, Alachua County and Marion County make convenient destinations to add to your Florida travel plans.

Find more inspiration online at VisitGainesville.com and OcalaMarion.com.