Cross Creek (Florida)

Cross Creek is an unincorporated community located in Alachua County, Florida, United States. It is situated between Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake, connected by a navigable creek called Cross Creek. The community is best known as the former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote extensively about the area and its people in her semi-autobiographical novel Cross Creek (1942) and other works.

Rawlings's homestead, now known as the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, is a major attraction in the area. Visitors can tour the house and grounds, experiencing a glimpse into her life in rural Florida during the 1930s and 40s. The park offers guided tours, living history demonstrations, and trails for hiking.

The rural setting of Cross Creek, with its natural beauty and agricultural landscape, provides a contrast to the more developed areas of Florida. While tourism related to Rawlings is a significant part of the local economy, the community retains a sense of its past and a connection to the land. The area is characterized by a mix of historic homes, working farms, and natural areas that support diverse wildlife.

The community is located approximately 20 miles southeast of Gainesville, the county seat of Alachua County. Access is primarily via State Road 325, which connects Cross Creek to other nearby towns and cities.