The Best Hiking in Florida

Egmont Key Sate Park is only accessibly by boat, so be sure to book ahead if you need a ride. Several tour companies offer relatively cheap rides to and from the island, paired with snorkeling excursions at the ruins on the west side of the island.The island ferry departs from Fort De Soto State ...

Starting at Cotton Landing, you paddle about a quarter of a mile downstream until you encounter the spring run to the right/north. Another tenth of a mile or so up the run will take you to one of the most beautiful spring-fed swimming holes you will ever find. Fed by a 2nd magnitude spring, this ...

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote National Parks you can visit. Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, FL it is accessible via commercial ferry, sea plane, or private boat.Our family of 5 camped for two nights in the campground on Garden Key. We snorkeled, swam, explored h...

From the parking lot, which has a $3 entrance fee per car, you walk to the trail head and grab a small pocket sized map that does a good job of showing markers and mapping out the different path ways. This park has around 15 miles of regular trails and 25 when it's not hunting season. You can wal...

Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the best places in all of Florida! There are multiple trails to choose from, but if you want to see ancient oak trees in a quintessential swamp then the Ancient Hammock Trail is your best bet. The boardwalk meanders through the swampy forest and you can be o...

Follow the paved path starting at the interpretive center. At the T-junction turn right, heading into the forest. In a half mile a bridge will deliver you over a ravine, before a set of stairs take you down to Devil's Millhopper. Take in your view of the sinkhole before heading back up the stairs...

Venturing along the industrialized highway leading to Big Talbot Island will have one wondering how there could be any hope for a natural experience on the outskirts of Jacksonville. However, just 14 miles from the busy interstate, Big Talbot Island has plenty of hiking and biking trails, fishin...

This is a pleasant hike with varied terrain, good for families and dogs. There are a number of adjoining trails so you can adjust your route.

What could be better than laying on soft sand, listening to the crashing waves, and gazing at Florida's best sun and stars?  Cape Canaveral National Seashore has 14 primitive campsites, with only two of them on the beach and the other twelve located on Mosquito Lagoon.  This park has a 40-mile st...

This boardwalk trail passes by a number of sinkholes, leading ultimately to the most known attraction, Falling Waters Sink, a sinkhole with a waterfall dropping into it. In spring azaleas can be seen along the trail, as well. Take a left on Sinkhole Trail, heading clockwise. After the 0.3 mile lo...

After first entering Canaveral National Seashore, this is the stop of many hiking options in the park. We walked in toward Mosquito Lagoon and found three well spaced picnic tables and two paths.A path along the lagoon that is well marked to preserve the ecology. We tried this one but it was flo...

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is an incredible natural area that provides something for any adventure seeker to love.  The main attraction here is the beautiful headspring, which is one of the 27 first magnitude springs here in Florida.  This spring in particular maintains a cool 72 degrees f...

From Tamiami Trail, 5.2 miles west of Highway 29, turn left on the unmarked road. You will be able to leave you car here and launch. Follow the posted map closely as the mangrove tunnels are confusing, and you will probably get lost a few times anyways.There is a series of 5 mangrove tunnels, wit...

The Econ River Wilderness Trail is a largely unnoticed section of preserved land, although it is just 1.5 miles away from University of Central Florida and nestled between residential communities.  This trail might not be the most interesting or dramatic trail in all of Central Florida, but what ...

There are multiple out-and-back and loop hikes in this wildlife refuge, but the main attraction is the lighthouse along the Gulf Coast. Right next to the lighthouse is a pond where you are guaranteed to see several alligators. If you hike to the end of the levy across from the lighthouse you can ...

The Alafia Trail is a 3.6 mile loop is a very scenic way to get your heart pumping. The bright and lush vegetation will keep you intrigued all along the way. This trail is frequented not only by hikers but also mountain bikers, so be prepared to share the trail one way or another. It would be wis...