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Micanopy is one of my absolute favorite places in Florida and after a couple of visits there, we noticed the Tuscawilla Preserve.

Or at least one side of it, the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve part of it. And I don’t actually think these are even the same thing, they’re just neighbors.

When my parents were visiting in the spring, we went to Micanopy a couple of times and did the hike at the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve one of those times.

What is the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve?

Micanopy is the oldest inland settlement in Florida, settled in 1821, but the Native American history goes back much further.

The Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve was made to protect the former village site, including a burial mound.

There are a couple of signs in the parking area that will tell you about the Seminole heritage of the area and some of the battles fought here.

Hiking the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve

I had no idea how long this hike was (nothing new here) but we decided to do it anyway. There is a big barn and some information signs in addition to the trail.

We headed in to the main trail which just takes you through the woods. We saw lots of mushrooms and TONS of caterpillars.

Eventually we came to a fork and we went to the right. But just before the fork we saw the best mushroom of all: jelly ears!

They were little clearish brown mushrooms that were ear shaped. I loved them and it’s the only time I’ve seen them!

The right fork just loops back around and takes you along the road and back to the main parking area.

We still had time so we went back to check out the left fork. This one didn’t loop around (I don’t think) and just ended.

So we turned back and went out the way we came. I think we saw maybe one other person while we were here so it was a great little quiet hike.

There isn’t a whole lot to say about it but it’s a nice trail and worth the stop if you’re in the area and like easy hikes.

Hiking the Tuscawilla Preserve

Like I said above, it wasn’t until I was putting this post together that I realized there was another hiking trail here!

We didn’t do the Tuscawilla Preserve side (across the street but the same parking area from the Heritage Preserve) but I’ll update this once we do.

Where is the Tuscawilla Preserve?

Tuscawilla Preserve is about two minutes from Micanopy, 20 minutes from Gainesville, and 30 minutes from Ocala.

The Tuscawilla Preserve is made up of 600 acres which includes the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve (where we hiked) and the John E. Thrasher III and Eleanor K. Thrasher Park.

How much hiking is at Tuscawilla Preserve?

There are a couple of different trails here and I would say it’s 0.7-1.5 miles to do all of it. It’s not too much but it’s quiet and it’s nice.

There was one little section we did twice so we could do both sides of the inner fork at the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve.

That loop trail is 0.8 miles total. There is also a trail across the street (the Tuscawilla Preserve Trail) which is 0.7 miles.

Is the Tuscawilla Preserve hiking easy?

Yup! Like a lot of Florida hikes, it’s flat. This trail is also in the woods so it’s all shaded which is nice.

Both hiking areas are easy and could probably be seen in an hour and a half or less, depending on how fast you walk and how much you stop.

Is Tuscawilla Preserve worth visiting?

If you’re visiting Micanopy and want to hike, too, then yes! It’s a quick stop, less than an hour, so it won’t take up much of your day.

It’s not super exciting but I still enjoyed it and would go back. Plus, I got to see jelly ear mushrooms which was worth it in itself.

Photo gallery

Other posts you may like

Orange Lake Overlook hike

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park

Gainesville Trails

Easy Florida hiking

Have you hike the Tuscawilla Preserve or Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve? What did you think of them? Do you want to go?