Sweetwater Preserve, located in southern Gainesville just north of Payne's Prairie, is a 125-acre natural area that offers some rugged scenery and lots of wildlife viewing opportunity along the Sweetwater Branch. This hike follows the east trail which explores the area of diverse terrain including wetlands, Xeric Hammock, and upland mixed forest. The trail also leads past a sinkhole pond and to an observation point over the river. There are additional hiking trails located in the western half of the preserve that are accessed from a different trailhead.