• Hunting, fishing and boating licenses
• Parks and recreation
• Sports facilities and organizations
• Public golf courses

Hunting, Fishing and Boating License
		
        Auto Tag Agency                         374-3623
        5801 NW 34th Street

Parks and recreation

Bivens Arm Nature Park
3650 S. Main Street
Gainesville
352-334-2056
-- A 1,200-foot boarwalk leads visitors through this peaceful oak 
hammock and marsh preserve. Wildflower, wildlife and quotes by 
poets, authors and naturalists add to the beauty and interest of 
the park. Picnic tables and pavilion available. Open 9a.m. - 5 p.m. 
daily. Free.

Devil’s Millhopper
4732 NW 53rd Avenue
Gainesville
352-955-2008
-- Visitors walk down 232 wooden steps to the floor of this large, 
bowl-shappedsinkhole known as the Devil’s Millhopper. Filled with 
lush flora and plant species, the sinkhole echoes the persistent 
trickle of dozens of tiny waterfalls. A visitor center exhibits 
fossilized teeth, bone and marine shells from eras ling ago. A 
nature trail winds its way around the sinkhole. Open 9 a.m. - sunset 
daily. Admission $2/car or $1 pedestrian or bicyclist. 

Gold Head Branch State Park
State Road 21 
(6 miles northeast of Keystone Heights)
352-473-4701
This 1,500-acre state park is a popular spot for many water sports, 
including swimming, canoeing, and fishing. The park also features 
camping, picnic tables and pavilion, bath houses, nature trails and 
a softball field. A small store is open for visitors’ convenience 
during the summer months. Canoe and bike rentals also are available.
Open 8 a.m. - sunset daily. Admission $3.25/car.  

Lake Alice 
Off Museum Road, Univerity of Florida
Gaineville
One look at Lake Alice on the Florida campus will tell you why the 
University of Florida athletic teams go by the name of the Gators. 
Numerous alligators reside in this large lake and wildlife sanctuary. 
Lovely botanical gardens grace its east side. Open all day, every 
day. Free.

Lake Wauburg
U.S. 441 (8miles south of Gainesville)
352-466-4112, or 466-9287
Open only to UF students, faculty, staff and their guests, Lake 
Wauburg is a beautiful lake with a wide range of water activities 
including swimming, skiing, sailing canoeing and fishing. Also 
available for visitors is a beachfront pier area and picnic 
grounds. Open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and 
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday. Free.

|Outdoor menu||Site navigator|

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4625 SW 63rd Blvd. 
Gainesville
352-372-4981
The 62 acres of the Kanapaha Botanica Gardens can best be 
discovered from its mile-long walking trail that guides visitors 
through a variety of plant life including herb gardens, lily 
ponds, desert catus and bamboo forests. Plenty of gazebos and 
benches grace the park for for visitors to stop and enjoy the 
flowers. A gift shop is located at the entrance. Open Monday, 
Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Saturday 
and Sunday from 9 a.m. - dusk. Admission $2 adults, $1 children 
6-13, children under 6 are free.

Morningside Nature Center
3540 E University Avenue
Gainesville
352-334-2170
Run by the City of Gainesville’s Department of Cultural Affairs, 
the Morningside Nature Center features an 1840’s cabin and 
barnyard animals in its Libing History Farm. Seven miles of 
trails and boardwalks wind through the 278 acres of forest 
that serve as the home for dozens of species of birds, reptiles 
and mamals. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Free. Children and adults 
my take part in farm chores daily at 4 p.m. Charge is 50 cents.

Paynes Prairie State Preserve
U.S. 441
(10 miles south of Gainesville)
352-466-3397
Bison, wild horses, alligators and nealy 300 other kinds of animals 
and birds inhabit this vast 19,000-acre preserve. Bicycling and 
hiking are popular along Paynes Prairie’s many roadways and trails. 
Boating is available at Lake Wauburg and camping and picnic 
facilities are nearby. A panoramic view of the prairie can be seen 
from the observation tower at the Visitor Center and musuem. The 
preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The Visitor’s Center is 
open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Admision $3.25/car (Limit 8 people 
in car.)

Rails to Trails
Boulware Springs Park, off SE 15th Street 
Gainesville
352-334-2197
Seventeen miles of abandoned railways that stretch from Gainesville 
to Hwthorne have been converted to public trails ideal for walking, 
jogging, bicycling and horseback riding. The trail begins at 
Boulware Springs Park wildlife sanctuary and passes through Paynes 
Prairie. Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Free.

Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville
352-395-5604
Santa Fe Community College students serve as tour guides through 
the forested trailsof the only community college teaching zoo in 
the nation. Monkey’s, wildcats and deer are among the 225 
different mammals, birds and reptiles found at the 14-acre zoo. 
Open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment 
during the week. Call at least three days in advance for tour 
appointments. Free.

UF Astronomy Teaching Observatory
On the University of Florida campus, south of the Reitz Union 
parking lot. 352-392-5294 or 392-1016
Stargazers can enjoy a close-up view at the moon, Saturn and 
Juptier at the UF Teaching Observatory on Friday evenings. One 
large telescope and several smaller telescopes are available. 
Astronomy computer software and slideshows also may be viewed. 
Open each Friday Evening from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. when the 
university is in session. Free.

Sports facilities and organizations

Gainesville Sports Organization                 338-9300

   This city office engages in seeking official and amatuer sporting 
groups to schedule their events in the Gainesville area.

Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Stadium at Florida Field     (82,500 seats)
     Tickets for events at all University of Florida facilities may 
     be obtained at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gate 1 or by calling 
     375-4683 ext. 6800

McKethan Stadium at Perry Field

Stephen C. O’Connell Center
     Tickets for O’Connell Center activities may be purchases at 
     the University Box Office, located in the J.Wayne Reitz Union 
     on campus or by calling 392-1653.

UF Track team meets at Percy Beard Field 
 

Public Golf Courses-       	

     In the mood to play nine...maybe 18?  Here are some golf 
courses you can make your way over to when you feel like a day 
on the links.

	Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club     335-0055
	9905 SW 44 Ave.

	Ironwood Golf Course                     334-3120
	2100 NE 39 Ave.

	Villages of Westend Golf Club            528-2520
	Newberry Rd. S.R. 26

	Meadowbrook Golf Club                    332-0577
	NW 39 Ave