The Best Scenic Hikes in Central Florida to Explore
The Top 10 Most Beautiful Hiking Trails in Central Florida
Central Florida may be known for its theme parks, but there’s a whole other side to this state that’s waiting to be discovered by intrepid hikers like yourself. That’s right — we’re talking about the best hikes in Central Florida.
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From lush forests to crystal-clear springs, Central Florida boasts a lineup of trails that will make your inner adventurer do a happy dance. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or someone who’s just getting their feet wet in this popular activity, Central Florida has a trail with your name on it.
So, lace up those boots, grab your water bottle, and get ready to explore with me as I spill the beans on the best hiking trails this vibrant region has to offer.
1. Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest isn’t your typical Florida landscape. Yes, you’ll find plenty of pines and palmettos, but you’ll also discover rolling hills and clear, spring-fed lakes.
The forest is home to numerous recreation areas, including Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Farles Prairie Recreation Area, and Juniper Springs Recreation Area.
If you’re after a trail that checks all the boxes, the Florida National Scenic Trail is your golden ticket. It stretches 1,500 miles from Big Cypress National Preserve near Everglades National Park to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola Beach, making it one of the best hikes in the entire state.
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Ocala National Forest has nearly 100 miles of the Florida Trail, and you can enter at several different locations. This makes it easy to decide whether you would like to explore it on a simple day hike or whether you would like to tackle a more challenging overnight backpacking experience.
For a shorter but equally satisfying hike, hit up the Yearling Trail. Clocking in at around 5 miles, it takes you through a sand pine scrub ecosystem and an island of pine trees. You’ll also go past a variety of historic structures, including a cistern, an old cattle dip vat, the remains of several homestead sites, and a giant sinkhole where settlers once collected drinking water.
2. Lake Louisa State Park
Lake Louisa State Park is a slice of outdoor paradise in Central Florida that offers some of the best hikes around. If you’re yearning for a hiking escape that combines serene landscapes with a touch of Florida’s unique charm, look no further.
The park boasts a network of trails that cater to all levels of hikers, making it the perfect spot for a weekend adventure. One standout route is the Bear Lake Loop, a roughly 2-mile trek that takes you around the picturesque Bear Lake. It’s like a nature lover’s dream come true, with glimpses of the lake, shady oak hammocks, and even some rolling hills — a rare treat in this part of the Sunshine State.
If you’re up for a challenge, the park has so many miles of trails that wind through the pine flatwoods and other natural communities that you can easily create your own adventure and get a different perspective of the area.
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Keep in mind that there are several miles of multi-use trails that are open to horseback riding and mountain biking within the park, so it might be a good idea to brush up on your etiquette rules about sharing the trail.
Also, here’s a word to the wise: Central Florida can bring the heat! Make sure you pack plenty of water, wear your sunscreen, and don’t forget the bug spray.
3. Wekiwa Springs State Park
If you’re up for a mix of lush landscapes, crystal-clear springs, and a touch of Florida’s unique flora and fauna, Wekiwa Springs State Park has your name written all over it. Although it’s located just minutes from the heart of downtown Orlando, this serene park is a great spot to escape the hustle and reconnect with nature.
The trails in the park range in length from 0.8 to 13.5 miles, so everyone from those looking for an easy hike to experienced hikers interested in a more challenging trek will find what they want.
The Volksmarch Trail is a 5.3-mile loop trail that’s one of the best nature trails in the park. You can find the start of the trail at the main entrance. You can choose to tackle the entire trail, or you can choose to do sections of it.
Along the way, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some of the park’s local wildlife, including gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys.
4. Little Big Econ State Forest
If you’re up for a dose of nature that’s equal parts tranquil and exhilarating, you’ll want to add Little Big Econ State Forest to your must-visit list. The most notable feature here is the winding Econlockhatchee River, which flows 17 miles through the forest before emptying into the St. Johns River.
The forest has a little over 11 miles of hiking trails, including 8.9 miles of the Florida Trail. It’s also considered a great place for hiking with children. In fact, the American Hiking Society has named Little Big Econ one of the country’s most family-friendly hikes.
You can access the Florida Trail from the Barr Street hiking trailhead or the multi-use Flagler Trail that connects to the Geneva Wilderness Area. Once you’re on the Florida Trail, you’ll follow the twisty path of the Econlockhatchee River as you pass through a variety of ecosystems, such as scrub, pine flatwoods, sandhill, and oak-palm hammocks.
For a shorter but equally satisfying hike, check out the Kolokee Trail. As you hike this 5.2-mile loop trail, you’ll enjoy the shade from towering cabbage palms, live oaks, and cypress trees before connecting to the Florida Trail. It’s considered a generally easy trail and great for a weekend hike.
5. Orlando Wetlands Park
Orlando Wetlands Park is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to the best hikes in Central Florida. This large, man-made wetland was designed to provide treatment for reclaimed water for nearby cities.
In the Orlando area, it’s a local favorite and a great place to do some hiking. It’s also an awesome place to do some bird watching. The swamps and marshes in the park attract all types of bird species, including ducks, turkeys, owls, hawks, wading birds, woodpeckers, and songbirds.
The 2.5-mile Birding Route Trail is an excellent way to spot many of these birds or simply enjoy the scenic views as it travels through the wetlands. The park also has around 18 miles of levees and natural trails that wind through its various habitats.
From the parking lot, you can also access a hiking trail that will take you along the shoreline of the picturesque Lake Searcy before heading into a shaded wooded area that provides a nice respite from the sun.
6. Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve
The sprawling 110,000-acre Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is the perfect place for hikers looking to get off the beaten path and discover a healthy dose of solitude and untamed nature. The preserve is divided into five areas: the East Tract, the West Tract, the Hampton Tract, the Little Withlacoochee Tract, and Colt Creek State Park.
If you want to explore the East Tract of the preserve, you’ll discover more than 33 miles of trails and 71 miles of unpaved service roads that go through pine flatwoods, cypress domes, hardwood swamps, and the shoreline of the Withlacoochee River.
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A long section of the Florida Trail also winds through the preserve. As you hike along these trails, you’ll notice that the surrounding land has been untouched to preserve its natural beauty.
It’s important to keep in mind that the Green Swamp can get, well, swampy — especially during the rainy season. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you set out and remember that some portions of the trails will be completely inaccessible when it’s raining.
7. Lake Kissimmee State Park
Lake Kissimmee State Park is another one of the top state parks in Central Florida for hikers seeking a slice of Old Florida charm mixed with some seriously stunning landscapes. The park has 13 miles of trails that take you through oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, by freshwater marshes, and out to Lake Kissimmee.
A lot of these trails offer the perfect blend of nature and history, with remnants of the state’s cattle ranching days scattered along the way.
Clocking in at around 6 miles, the Buster Island Loop is one of the more popular trails in the park. Here you’ll discover expansive prairies, towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and maybe even a Florida scrub-jay showing off its acrobatic skills.
Now, if you’re after a shorter jaunt, the Gobbler Ridge Trail is your go-to option. The 2.8-mile trail first leads you to an observation tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of the prairie, Lake Kissimmee, and if you’re lucky, a bald eagle soaring overhead.
8. Split Oak Forest Environmental and Wildlife Area
Split Oak Forest Environmental and Wildlife Area is bordered by Lake Hart to the north and Lake Mary Jane to the northeast. In between, you’ll find nearly 2,000 largely undeveloped acres that combine for a hike that offers lush landscapes with the chance to spot some of Florida’s incredible wildlife.
The wildlife preserve gets its name from a unique 200-year-old live oak tree located on the north side of the property that was split down the middle and still survived.
The area has more than 9 miles of marked trails that wind through a variety of natural communities. If you’re looking to extend your hikes even further, you’ll find numerous short spur trails to scenic overlooks.
The site is also part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, so bring those binoculars and get ready to check some feathery friends off your list.
9. Black Bear Wilderness Area
If you’re seeking a wilder side of the Sunshine State, consider diving into the untamed beauty of the Black Bear Wilderness Area. Covering around 1,600 acres in northwest Seminole County, this area features a variety of wetland habitats, such as the floodplain of the St. Johns River, wet prairie, cypress swamps, and hydric hammock.
The trails here aren’t for the faint of heart, and that’s exactly why we love them. From the parking area, you can follow the blue-blazed trail approximately 7.1 miles along the St. Johns River for spectacular views of the area.
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While several boardwalks provide passage over wet areas, this trail can get a bit muddy, especially after rain. Don’t forget to pack those waterproof boots!
As you can probably figure out from the name, the wilderness area is home to black bears, and you may encounter one when you’re hiking. Make sure you brush up on these wildlife safety tips so you know how to keep yourself and the wild animals safe. Other wildlife you might spot in the wilderness area include river otters, turtles, alligators, and a variety of birds.
10. Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area has some of the best hikes in Central Florida because it’s a place where you can immerse yourself in an off-the-beaten-path adventure. With more than 60 miles of trails, you’ll find everything from day hikes on a network of trails and unpaved roads to overnight hikes with camping at a backcountry site.
A section of the Florida Trail slices through the area, offering both a challenge and a visual feast of pure, unadulterated Florida wilderness.
Other great trails in Tosohatchee include the White Trail and Bobwhite Trail. While these trails can be a bit easier on the legs, they still pack a punch in terms of scenery.
These trails also make up part of the Wildflower Viewing Loop. Tosohatchee is a wildflower diversity hotspot with a variety of spectacular wildflowers blooming at just about any time of year.
The Most Amazing Hikes in Central Florida for Every Type of Hiker
Whether you’re chasing springs in Ocala or exploring the serene landscapes of Lake Kissimmee, all of these best hikes in Central Florida have their own unique charm waiting for you to uncover. So, grab your backpack, lace up those boots, and hit the trails with a spirit of curiosity and a dash of wild wonder.
As you embark on your own hiking escapades, remember the golden rules: pack water like it’s your hiking sidekick, slather on sunscreen because the Florida sun doesn’t play, and always keep an eye out for our feathered and furry friends. Oh, and don’t forget to break in those boots — happy feet make for a happy hike!
More Helpful Hiking Tips
Did you enjoy learning more about the best hikes in Central Florida? Are you looking for even more great tips that can help you get outside and enjoy hiking? Then please be sure to take a look at some of our other popular posts:
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