The Best Running in Florida

Amelia Island is a small island near Fernandina Beach, Florida, and is one of the few places left where you can camp right on the beach for free. Although, if you wish to drive your car on the beach during peak season in the summer or a holiday weekend, you will have to purchase a permit for $5 f...

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...

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...

Parking is open and free for all designated spots within the state park.At the end of the parking area, there is a gate with a large brown sign. This sign reads "St. Joseph Peninsula State Park / Wilderness Preserve Access." This is where the trail begins.The trail is easy to follow with yellow m...

Starting in the parking, lot you are going to follow the road back to the ranger station and from there you can pick up the Dune Ridge trailhead. Once on the trail you can take a look at the sign with a map and small description of the trail. This hike is very straightforward and it is difficul...

The Morris Bridge Trail is a 14.4 mile loop of endless swampy intrigue. Experience deep Florida Nature from well-kept trails. Keep your eyes and ears alert for wildlife--you may even spot an alligator! You will be sharing the trail with hikers, runners, cyclists, and equestrians, so be prepared t...

The Lettuce Lake Regional loop is a short and sweet 1.2 mile hike appropriate for all ages. This loop is a great way to get in touch with the Florida scenery and wildlife without having to take a whole lot of time out of your day (though if you have the time you'll likely want to spend more time ...

This trail is accessible to hikers, cyclists, equestrians and dogs. It takes you through open Florida landscape enlivened by wildflowers and also takes you past Dixie and Bear Lakes on the way to the much larger Lake Louisa. The trail is out-and-back, so you can go the whole way or choose do just...

I would like to preface this adventure by saying that if you prefer to bike Shark Valley, please reference Rob Witt's adventure "Bike through Shark Valley".  Biking is certainly the best way to see the whole trail, and not spend the entire day doing it.  Hiking (really walking) this trail is a sl...

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is over 125 acres of wetlands and ponds that were created to help improve the quality of water contained in the Paynes Prairie wetlands and the Florida aquifer. This initiative by the city of Gainesville has led to improved water quality as well as a place for people to c...

Park in the parking lot and make your way onto the trail. Follow the signs to complete the loop around the park. You may be sharing the trail with (leashed) dogs and mountain bikers.

Park at the Killarney Station where you can find the West Orange Trail trailhead. Enjoy as much of the 12.7 miles of paved trail as you like. Walk, run, or cycle this well-maintained trail with frequent restrooms and water stations. The West Orange trail is a great way to get some fresh air and e...

Park in the Cypress Grove Park parking area, hop onto the trail and go either direction. Enjoy the stunning views of the estate, the lake, and the towering trees.

Park in the lot and head out either direction for an easy loop around the lake. You'll be sharing the path with runners, cyclists, dogs (on leash), and other hikers, so be aware of your surroundings and remember to stay right. You may see boaters out on the lake which can add intrigue to your hik...

The Anhinga trail starts at the Royal Palm visitor center and stretches .8 miles through a fascinating sawgrass marsh. Being close to the park entrance, this is a very popular and busy trail. Expect crowds. If you have a choice of season, winter is a particularly active time for wildlife and mosq...

We started near the Bellair Golf Course and went south. When you go along the golf course, watch for pikas, coyotes, and fox.  It is a good idea to head South first, so that the winds propel you forward in the second half of your ride. We went down Indian Rocks Road and rode by the ocean - the ne...