“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!
Nothing beats an energizing hike in magnificent Split Oak Forest on a crisp fall morning. I hiked the northern portion of Split Oak Forest and viewed two deer right off the trail. A great way to start the day!
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!
In August, my son and I finally managed to hike the entire 7.1-mile Black Bear Wilderness Loop Area in Sanford. It was a great experience and several miles of the trail run alongside the scenic St. Johns River. We didn’t see any alligators this time out, but we did view two deer along the way. The trail is definitely rugged, so bring plenty of water and bug spray, and prepare to invest at least 3.5 hours if you plan to hike the entire thing. However, a good short hike involves going counterclockwise to the St. Johns River and back for a two-mile stroll.
Off the beaten path in Eustis and within five minutes of Trout Lake Nature Center, Pine Meadows Conservation Area is the ideal spot for an outdoor stroll. The 770-acre conservation area features six miles of hiking trails and lies just north of downtown Eustis off Highway 19.
I hiked at Longleaf Pine Preserve in DeLand a few weeks ago (West Entrance, just east of I-4 on New York Avenue). It was deserted and flooded, but very scenic and I especially enjoyed walking along those wooden planks! I will be back to explore further during the coming months.
Due to the global pandemic, swimming at De Leon Springs State Park has been prohibited indefinitely. However, this means that you can enjoy picnicking and hiking here without dealing with the usual frenzied crowds that descend upon this widely popular Florida state park located just north of DeLand. The Wild Persimmon, a four-mile hiking trail, is definitely recommended. In addition, the legendary Sugar Mill Restaurant remains open.
After hearing great things about Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, we finally got the opportunity to visit and enjoy just a small sampling of this amazing wildlife habitat. A former cattle ranch on the shore of Lake Hancock, Circle B Bar Reserve encompasses 1,267 acres and contains a diversity of great hiking trails. We saw several alligators and the reserve was also teeming with various bird species. We will definitely return soon to explore other areas of Circle B Bar Reserve. Highly recommended!
We discovered a great outdoor oasis way off the beaten path at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. Several scenic trails meander through the park, including a portion of the Florida Trail. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the Observation Tower for a great view of the surrounding area. Oh yeah, make sure to pack some mosquito repellent because we got eaten alive on this outing – but it was well worth it! Other stops during this adventure included a visit to the charming 1922 Richloam General Store in Webster and an outstanding lunch at Kafe Kokopelli in downtown Dade City.
It had been well over a year since I visited Trout Nature Center in Eustis and I spent a couple of hours wandering around the short hiking trails here looking for wildlife. I did spot a Florida box turtle sauntering along, so that was definitely a highlight of my visit. The impressive oak tree near the entrance is another not-to-be-missed site at Trout Nature Center, as well as a stroll along the scenic boardwalk to the lake itself. Highly recommended!
Wandering Florida 