Sunnyland Creek is a tributary of Lake Forest Creek. It originates in Morningside Nature Center then flows primarily through Newnans Lake State Forest – a tract in eastern Gainesville that is made up of various connected parcels amounting to 1,005 acres – the state forest originates just below the Gainesville Regional Airport and ends at Newnans Lake. Sunnyland Creek also has short reaches where it diverts from state forest property and meanders for a bit through the North Florida Evaluation Treatment Center campus. The Creek meets Lakeridge and Lake Forest Creek proper in a low lying area of the state forest. Lake Forest Creek then continues to its mouth at Newnans Lake.

Plan a Visit

This creek originates in Morningside Nature Center and traverses the northern parts of this nature center. It can be accessed by the the MNC Perimeter Trail. The creek can also be observed downstream when visiting Newnans Lake State Forest by hiking the Lake Pithlachocco Trail – the trail crosses the creek just after the trailhead.