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Bike, Hike, Climb - Eco-Adventures around UF Campus

From soft-adventure activities including birding, biking, and botanical gardens to more vigorous activities such as tree climbing and zip lining, the Gainesville area offers a plethora of eco-adventures for all ages.

Canyons Zip Line And Adventure Park photo by Julianette Casanova

Go Climb A Tree

Want to tap into your inner child and climb trees again? Canopy Climbers is an award-winning, tree-climbing school. They offer a one-day "HitchClimber" course and several two-day courses. For a tree adventure that is more fast-paced, Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours in Ocala is sure to thrill at 155 feet high and 1,150 feet long as it crosses over Lost Spring Lake.

Bike in front of mural in Gainesville Florida bike from Bikes and More shop

Go Ride a Bike

Biking in Gainesville is available at all levels. Wind through the college campus on the UF Campus Greenway which connects to the Waldo Road Greenway/Depot Avenue Rail-Trail (cross the DNA-inspired bridge on this trail). Pedestrians and cyclists can explore the tree-lined Gainesville-Hawthorne Trial (a favorite of writer Bonnie Gross of FloridaRambler.com). For challenging off-road rides, explore multiple intermediate and difficult mountain bike trails.

Image of bird in Gainesville known for its birding

For the Birds

Birding in Gainesville will exceed your expectations. Whether you are an avid birder or not, the variety and quantity of feathered friends in the area is worth exploring. There are so many great trails and resources, we wrote a very detailed blog about it. Read all about birding here.

Take A Hike

Take a hike or a gentle stroll through the many beautiful parks in the Gainesville area. Visit Gainesville, the convention and visitors bureau for Alachua County, offer great information about the destination including parks and trails.

Freshwater Spring in North Florida photo by Watkins PR

Spring into Action

Natural fresh-water springs pepper the landscape of North-Florida. These environmental treasures offer a cool escape all year long. Walk the trails, tube, paddle board or simply sit and relax. The choice is yours and there are a lot of springs to explore. Read more about these springs in our blog here.

kanapaha gardens in gainesville florida image of Giant Victoria Water Lilies

Get to the Gardens

Wilmot, Cedar Lakes, Dreamers, Kanapaha are just a few of the impressive gardens in the area. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is home to the giant Victoria water lilies, an enormous herb garden and huge bamboos. Wilmot Garden is all about healing plants and the UF Teaching Area is all about research. Dreamers is a sensory garden designed for visually impaired people. Grab your sunscreen and hat, and head out to discover the green side of Gainesville.