Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Florida, United States
4.5 (221 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #4 in Gainesville Nature & Wildlife Areas
Lovely relaxing walk with loads of birds
We came here a few years ago and really enjoyed it so decided to come back again. $5 per car for the day parking, and you can drop the cash in an envelope or pay via an app or website. There's a restroom and water fountains next to the car park. Once you go down the path you cross a small road and enter the park. There are a few miles of paved trails suitable for all abilities. And you don't have to walk all the paths as they intersect so you can make the walk shorter if you wish. We spent a while here just walking slowly and looking at all the lovely scenery. Saw loads of birds as well as two small alligators and a few deer. Would definitely recommend this place.
Address
325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601-9046
Mobile
Website
http://www.sweetwaterwetlands.org/
Current local date and time now
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 7:48
User Ratings
4.5 based on (221 reviews)
Reviews
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5Photo guy 5:00 PM Apr 25, 2021
Worth the $5 for an up close nature fix.
I bought a season pass in April 2021, area has more wildlife viewable from up close than any other park I have been to in last 20 years. Sand Hill cranes with 2 youngster don't seem concerned with humans and their cameras. One old timer said there used to be more birds, but they stopped migrating here because the open water has filled in with plants, so they don't see the open water from the air and pass by and go somewhere else. Vegetation needs to be removed. Maybe with some kind of boat using underwater cutters and conveyor system to help dig it up the choking vegetation. April is a good time to visit, still cool in the AM and mostly not super humid as during the summer tropical sweatbox months. Don't move off the gravel walkway to get close up alligator photos with your normal camera or wide angle cell phone camera lens, they move fast when hunting animals.
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4Susan G 5:00 PM Jul 1, 2020
Nice hike
Stopped in for a short hike on a sweltering afternoon. Due to Covid19 some of the trail paths are blocked off. We got to walk down to the pond where street garbage is collected and kept out of the water that feeds into Payne's Prairie. Surprisingly we saw several baby gators, cormorant, herons, stilts, and ducks. Unfortunately, a major electrical storm rolled in and we couldn't go further. Only problem was the admission fee. I don't mind the $5 fee but I did not like the idea of having to download an app just for that. There has got to be a better way. The system is off putting.
