***New Publicly Accessible Trailhead at Florence Nature Preserve

New and Improved Access to Florence Nature Preserve!

CMLC is proud to announce that a new trailhead for the Florence Nature Preserve is now open to the public.  Located directly on Highway 74A, the new trailhead offers convenient and scenic public access to the Florence Nature Preserve and the developing Hickory Nut Gorge Trail System.  

The new trailhead is now the only point of public access to the Preserve. When preparing for your trip to the Preserve, please plan on using this access because Kelly Hill Road and the trailheads off of it (red and blue) are now closed.

Located approximately 0.9 miles east of the Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center and Nita and Susan’s Hickory Creek Market, the new trailhead allows for more vehicle parking and provides a much more scenic route of entry into the Preserve. 

Please note that the existing trail is strenuous for a short stretch up the mountain from the trailhead.  CMLC is currently planning improvements to the existing trail that will accommodate access by a broader range of trail users.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation as we continue to improve the Hickory Nut Gorge Trail System!

New Trail Map

Visit the main Florence Nature Preserve Page for more information