Florida Hiking Trails

Colt Creek State Park

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Encompassing more than 5,000 acres, Colt Creek State Park within the Green Swamp just north of Lakeland features “large strands of vulnerable longleaf flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks, thick cypress domes and open vistas.” It is home to an abundance of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, American alligators, otters, gopher tortoises, Sherman’s fox squirrels, bobcats, bald eagles and wading birds. Florida black bears have been spotted here as well. Highlights of Colt Creek State Park include 15 miles of multiuse trails and the short but scenic 0.25-mile Mac Lake Nature Trail, as well as pavilions, picnic tables, a 75-foot dock, canoe and kayak rentals, and campsites for tent/RV, primitive and group camping. A relatively new addition to the Florida State Park System, Colt Creek State Park first opened in 2007. 

 

One Small Place

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“I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.”
― Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Why spend your time waiting in long lines at some overpriced theme park hoping for some “processed fun” when you can avoid the crowds, step outside and experience “authentic Florida” surrounded by amazing wildlife? Now is the perfect time to distance yourself from the crowd, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors! So, what are you waiting for? Hit the trail!

Tucker Ranch Revisited

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Looking to social distance during the holidays and enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors? Look no farther than Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex in Winter Garden. Ideally located off Avalon Road, Tucker Ranch is a true hidden treasure in Central Florida. Grab a picnic lunch and take a hike while enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. Leashed dogs are allowed. So, what are you waiting for? Get up from the couch, turn off the TV and get some fresh air at Tucker Ranch!

Wandering Lake Lotus Park

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I spent a perfect Friday afternoon strolling the scenic boardwalks of Lake Lotus Park in Altamonte Springs and enjoying some rare Florida fall colors. I didn’t view much wildlife, but – just as I was wrapping up my hike – I spotted this beautiful alligator grabbing some sun on a log along the creek. What a treat!

Saturday Morning at Gemini Springs

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One of my favorite places to wander in Central Florida, 212-acre Gemini Springs Park is located in the charming town of DeBary. It’s peaceful (no swimming in the springs allowed), there are some scenic hiking trails and you will almost always get a glimpse of wildlife here.

Sabal Point Sanctuary

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After planning to hike Sabal Point Sanctuary for more than a year or so now, we finally got the opportunity to sample this scenic Florida wilderness area last week and were not disappointed! Encompassing more than 600 acres, Sabal Point Sanctuary features a linear 3.5-mile hiking and biking trail that starts at a small parking area within a Longwood neighborhood. Wildlife that call Sabal Point Sanctuary home include deer, otters, wild turkeys, limpkins and even black bears. Due to time constraints, we only did about a 3-mile hike. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any wildlife on this outing, but we will be back soon!

Enchanted Forest Revisited

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It’s been some time since we spent a morning wandering the scenic trails of Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, so we headed out there last Saturday. A couple of the trails were a little soggy, but we had a great outing just the same. One of the gopher tortoises at the entrance even stuck his head out to greet us! All in all, a really nice hike and highly recommended if you’re ever visiting the Titusville area along the fabled Space Coast.

Turkey Creek Sanctuary

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As soon as we left the parking lot and made our way through the entrance of 130-acre Turkey Creek Sanctuary and walked as far as the boardwalk, a light drizzle turned into a significant downpour and unfortunately we had to abort our hike. However, this well-maintained sanctuary looks like an amazing spot in Palm Bay to enjoy the great Florida outdoors and we will return soon! By the way, Turkey Creek Sanctuary was established in 1981 and features not only the 1.85-mile boardwalk, but 1.5 miles of jogging trails, a one-mile mountain bike trail, the Margaret Hines Nature Center and more. It is part of the East Florida section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Wildlife that call Turkey Creek Sanctuary home include Florida cooters, manatees, alligators, otters, ospreys and owls.

Barrier Island Sanctuary

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Nestled along A1A in Melbourne Beach, the Barrier Island Sanctuary Management & Education Center serves as the gateway to the 258-acre Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The Center itself features a variety of interactive exhibits, auditorium, gift shop and observation deck. Don’t miss the opportunity to take the one-mile hiking trail through several scenic habitats that are home to wildlife such as great land crabs, gopher tortoises, ospreys and great blue herons.