Gilchrist Club
The Gilchrist Club sits on 27,000 acres of pristine timberland in Gilchrist County near Trenton, Florida—about 30 minutes west of Interstate 75 and west of Gainesville. Founded in 1999 after owners realized their reforestation investment had a higher calling, the club has grown into one of Florida's...
Is this your location?
Claim it to update info & details
01 // OVERVIEW
Overview
Location details and information
The Gilchrist Club sits on 27,000 acres of pristine timberland in Gilchrist County near Trenton, Florida—about 30 minutes west of Interstate 75 and west of Gainesville. Founded in 1999 after owners realized their reforestation investment had a higher calling, the club has grown into one of Florida's premier private sporting estates.
The grounds hold quail, turkey, deer, wild hog, alligator, and trophy bass. Members hunt with professional guides trained pointer dogs—the club maintains an on-site kennel with dogs consistently rated as some of the best available. There are five major fishing lakes plus access to the historic Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers.
- •14-Station Sporting Clays Course (added December 2010)
- •5-Stand Shooting Pavilion (original 2004, upgraded 2007 with tower for incoming targets and lesson area, rebuilt 2024)
- •Elevated Archery Stand (added January 2022)
Upland bird hunts, turkey season, deer hunting, and wild hog hunting. Guides handle everything. The club specializes in making hunting accessible—you can hunt solo or request an experienced guide.
Freshwater options: Bass, bream, crappie, catfish on five lakes plus the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers. Year-round fishery starting early spring through winter.
Saltwater: Inland and coastal trips to the mouth of the Suwannee River for speckled trout, flounder, redfish, tarpon, cobia, and pompano. Gulf of Mexico scalloping adventures during season.
Seven on-site lodges:
| Lodge | Bedrooms | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress House, Eagle's Nest, Sandhill Crane | 4 each | Fire-pits, covered porches, lake views, WiFi, fireplaces, leather furniture |
| Gator's Den, Seminole Reservation | 6 each | Executive-style, wet bars, six-foot soaking tubs, private entrances on deluxe rooms |
| Covey Rise, Osceola | 2 each | Tranquil, wet bars, fireplaces, fire-pits |
Suwannee Lake Restaurant seats 50 with lake views from every table. Executive Chef Andy Niedenthal and Sous Chef Cindy Wiley prepare wild game entrees from the property or dry-aged lockers. Full bar with top-shelf cocktails and a well-stocked wine cellar. Elevated deck for outdoor dining.
Full-service outfitter stocking: - Men's and ladies' apparel: Beretta, Under Armour, Kevin's, Orvis, Duck Camp, Over-Under, Foot-Joy - Premium leather: Links & Kings custom belts in Italian leather, shark, crocodile, alligator, exotic lizard, and bison
Deer Run Meeting Center with state-of-the-art A/V for up to 30 people, plus 800 square feet of screened-in porch. Customized group packages available for team retreats and corporate meetings.
25-Year History — Established November 24, 1999 after four million trees were planted in 1990–1994. Expanded to 26,500 acres with the 2008 purchase of 3,500 additional Piedmont acres.
- •1998: Cypress House built, first upland bird hunt
- •1999: First turkey season, official club incorporation
- •2002: Eagles Nest, Sand Hill, and Gator Den lodges; Suwannee Lake restaurant
- •2004: Original 5-stand shooting pavilion
- •2007: Pro Shop expansion
- •2021: Covey Rise and Osceola lodges opened
- •2024: New 5-stand pavilion built
Phone: 352-463-7070 (local) or 888-535-4868 (toll-free) Mailing Address: 3270 S.E. 4th Way, Trenton, FL 32693 GPS Address: 4475 SE State Road 47, Trenton, FL 32693
"The birds, dogs, guides, grounds, cuisine, hospitality, accommodations, vistas, amenities, and service were all top notch." — Jim B., member
"The Gilchrist dogs are consistently the best we have ever seen. Randy and Junior have absolutely perfected the training process." — William S., member
Fire Restrictions Active
Check current conditions before visiting. Smoking and open flames may be prohibited.
Restrictions
- •Members only - private exclusive club
- •Member guests permitted with sponsorship
- •All club rules and safety protocols must be followed
- •Activities subject to seasonal hunting regulations
- •Reservation and coordination required through club management
Loading comments...