Florida’s wilderness areas are so gorgeous that they deserve to be explored, and sometimes getting up close and personal on foot is the best way to do it. What are you waiting for? Lace up those hiking boots and check out these eight trails in Florida that you simply must hike if you’re a lover of nature.
- Hog Island Nature Trail, Withlacoochee State Forest
B A Bowen Photography/flickr
B A Bowen Photography/flickr This short, easy hike is a 1.6-mile loop. There are plenty of benches along the way, so you can sit and marvel at this floodplain forest. This trail takes you past some of the ancient cypress trees,too.
- Kolokee Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest
B A Bowen Photography/flickr
B A Bowen Photography/flickr The American Hiking Society named Little Big Econ State Forest one of the most family-friendly hikes in the country. The Kolokee Trail is a 5.2-mile long loop that takes you through some of this state forest’s most beautiful terrain.
- Bradwell Bay Florida Trail, Apalachicola National Forest
Chris M Morris/flickr
Chris M Morris/flickr This trail takes you through some of Florida’s most wild lands. Slosh through knee to waist-high water for about 7 miles, and take your time. You’ll need to carefully feel out each footstep to avoid submerged trees. The entire trail is 12.4 miles, and you’ll want to hike with friends because it’s a truly remote wilderness.
- Kitching Creek Loop, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Marc Barrison/flickr
Marc Barrison/flickr This 7.5-mile trail in the Hobe Sound area provides some stunning views, orchids, sandhill cranes and more. It’s also a great place for backpacking, if you want to stay the night.
- Canopy Walk, Myakka River State Park
Sara H/flickr
Erin/flickr The canopy walk is the most popular trail in Myakka State Park, and you’ll certainly see why when you experience this view! This short .8-mile walk puts you right in the treetops. Don’t forget your camera so you can capture the view from the 76-foot-tall observation tower.
- Suwannee River State Park
faungg’s photos/flickr
faungg’s photos/flickr Three interconnecting trails take you along the banks of the Suwannee River and through stands of hammock trees.
- Lettuce Lake Park
James Butler/flickr
James Diedrick/flickr Lettuce Lake Park’s 3,500-foot boardwalk meanders through the freshwater wetland, where you’ll see tons of wildlife including many species of birds, including gorgeous species like this great blue heron.
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
rain0975/flickr
Boss1/TripAdvisor You’ll find 13 miles of trails at Wekiwa Springs State Park. You’ll definitely see plenty of wildlife here, including alligators. Spend some extra time at the park swimming or kayaking.
Looking for a way to explore Florida’s more metro areas? Take a stroll along one of these Five Best Boardwalks In Florida.
B A Bowen Photography/flickr
This short, easy hike is a 1.6-mile loop. There are plenty of benches along the way, so you can sit and marvel at this floodplain forest. This trail takes you past some of the ancient cypress trees,too.
The American Hiking Society named Little Big Econ State Forest one of the most family-friendly hikes in the country. The Kolokee Trail is a 5.2-mile long loop that takes you through some of this state forest’s most beautiful terrain.
Chris M Morris/flickr
This trail takes you through some of Florida’s most wild lands. Slosh through knee to waist-high water for about 7 miles, and take your time. You’ll need to carefully feel out each footstep to avoid submerged trees. The entire trail is 12.4 miles, and you’ll want to hike with friends because it’s a truly remote wilderness.
Marc Barrison/flickr
This 7.5-mile trail in the Hobe Sound area provides some stunning views, orchids, sandhill cranes and more. It’s also a great place for backpacking, if you want to stay the night.
Sara H/flickr
Erin/flickr
The canopy walk is the most popular trail in Myakka State Park, and you’ll certainly see why when you experience this view! This short .8-mile walk puts you right in the treetops. Don’t forget your camera so you can capture the view from the 76-foot-tall observation tower.
faungg’s photos/flickr
Three interconnecting trails take you along the banks of the Suwannee River and through stands of hammock trees.
James Butler/flickr
James Diedrick/flickr
Lettuce Lake Park’s 3,500-foot boardwalk meanders through the freshwater wetland, where you’ll see tons of wildlife including many species of birds, including gorgeous species like this great blue heron.
rain0975/flickr
Boss1/TripAdvisor
You’ll find 13 miles of trails at Wekiwa Springs State Park. You’ll definitely see plenty of wildlife here, including alligators. Spend some extra time at the park swimming or kayaking.
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