Frequently Asked Questions about Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

Question: What activities are allowed on the trail?
Answer: The Gainesville Hawthorne Trail State Park supports hiking, bicycling, rollerblading, and horseback riding.

Question: Can I bring my dog on the trail?
Answer: Well behaved dogs are welcome on the Gainesville/Hawthorne State Trail. They must be kept on a hand held 6-foot leash at all times and cannot be left unattended for more than a half-hour.

Question: Why do I see rangers with a noisy machine on the trail?
Answer: Because the trail is open for some activities which are enhanced by smooth, debris-free pavement (rollerblading and bicycling), the Park Rangers use a leaf blower on the trail periodically. However, every attempt is made to minimize the disturbance to trail users.

Question: Where can I access the trail for hiking, horseback riding, and cycling?
Answer: Although all of these activities are allowed some parts of the trail, there are certain sections where activities are restricted. Horses are not permitted east of the Lochloosa trailhead and only hikers may use La Chua Trail. The following list shows all access points and allowed uses:

Boulware Springs Park 3300 SE 15th Street, Gainesville Uses: Bikes, Pedestrians, & Horses

La Chua Trail 4801 Camp Ranch Road, Gainesville Uses: Pedestrians only

Lochloosa 7209 SE 200th Drive, Hawthorne Uses: Bikes, Pedestrians, & Horses

Hawthorne 300 SW 2nd Ave, Hawthorne Uses: Bikes & Pedestrians only

Question: How long is the trail?
Answer: The entire trail is 16 miles long.

Question: Can I use the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail to access the La Chua trail on holidays and weekends?
Answer: Yes, as a matter of fact, the only access point for La Chua trail on holidays and weekends is from the Boulware Springs Trailhead (Gainesville City Park). You must travel through the initial part of the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail. All entry through the gate at Camp Ranch Road is prohibited when the gate is locked. This law is strictly enforced.

Question: What are the trail hours?
Answer: The starting point for the trail, the Boulware Springs trailhead, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. November through April and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through October. The Paynes Prairie portion of the trail is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round.

Question: Which users have the right of way?
Answer: Equestrian riders have the right of way over all other trail users. Pedestrians yield only to equestrian users. Cyclists and skaters yield to all other users.

Question: What is the level of difficulty?
Answer: The trail varies from moderately strenuous in the hills and hammocks to easy in level areas. Most of the trail is quite level.