Forget the Florida Trail, These 6 Hikes Reveal The Wild Variety of The Sunshine State

Florida may be best known for its beaches, theme parks, and sprawling wetlands, but if you are willing to venture inland, you will find a surprisingly diverse set of hikes in an equally varied landscape. Trails along sandy ridges, shady hardwood hammocks that shelter wildlife, and deep ravines providing a welcome escape from the subtropical heat are scattered across the state. And you don’t even have to commit to a months-long thru-hike to experience them.

From ancient dunes to forested ravines, these six all-season, pet-friendly trails offer a reason to lace up your hiking boots and explore the wilder side of the Sunshine State. They are open from dawn to dusk, and some even allow camping for a small fee if you want to make your hike an overnight trip.

Azalea Trail, Ravine Gardens State Park

Mileage: 2.5 miles
Location: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka
Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle, $2 for pedestrians and bicycles.
>Highlight: The trail is especially beautiful during azalea season, from late January through March, when the park’s flowering shrubs explode in splashes of pink, red, and white.

This part of Florida is unlike anything you’ll find along the coast, with steep paths covered with ancient root systems of Azalea bushes. The 2.5-mile Azalea Trail at Ravine Gardens State Park is a short but challenging loop that takes hikers along narrow dirt paths, over exposed roots, and down historic stone staircases. There are two suspension bridges over a spring-fed creek that flows through a shaded forest of ferns, mosses, and native trees.

Myakka Trail, Myakka River State Park

Mileage: 39 miles
Location: 13208 SR 72, Sarasota
Entrance fee: $6 per vehicle, $5 camping permit per night.
>Camping: Three campgrounds with 90 sites with water and electric hookups (check water conditions before camping) and six primitive campgrounds with three sites each
Highlight: You may spot wild turkeys and alligators, so be sure to stay on the trail at all times, especially through the open prairies.

Myakka River State Park, just east of Sarasota, is one of Florida’s largest and most ecologically diverse state parks. The Myakka trail is a roughly 39-mile loop. It winds through pine flatwoods, oak and palm hammocks, open prairie, and wetlands. Several shorter day hikes like the 5.4-mile Bee Island and 8.7-mile Honore branch out from the main trail. Those are great alternatives if you don’t want to stay overnight.

Spring Grove Trail, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

Mileage: 5.8 miles
Location: 13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua
Entrance fee: $4 per vehicle, $2 for pedestrians and bicycles; dogs are not allowed in some sections frequented by birders.
>Highlight: Birding is very popular here as species like the Wood Thrush and Red-headed woodpecker thrive in the park’s varied ecosystems.

The San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is home to one of the only remaining hardwood forests in Florida. The Spring Grove Trail is a 5.8-mile loop that passes through a variety of habitats and ecosystems within the park and is a great reminder that Florida’s natural diversity isn’t limited to its famous swamps and coastlines. This trail passes through shady hardwood hammocks, pine forests, and sandy hills. There are also both dry and water-filled sinkholes, adding interesting terrain features along the way. You can also hike a shorter 2.8-mile loop up to the Hammock cutoff.

Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail

Mileage: 7.1 miles
Location: 5298 Michigan Ave, Sanford
Entrance fee: None.
Highlight: Explore a swampy jungle that is teeming with Florida wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

If you’re looking for that classic, marshland, jungle Florida experience, with rugged hiking and tons of wildlife, look no further than the Black Bear Wilderness Area. This 7.1-mile loop trail takes you deep into lowland habitats like wet prairie, hydric hammock, and cypress swamp. The trail is challenging in spots, due to roots, boulders, and muddy sections. Bugs and humidity are to be expected, but it’s worth putting up with those for the chance to see some wildlife. Hikers often encounter river otters, alligators, white-tailed deer, tons of bird life, and, if it’s quiet enough, even black bears.

Catfish Creek Long Loop Trail, Catfish Creek Preserve State Park

Mileage: 5.8 miles
Location: 4335 Firetower Road, Haines City
Entrance fee: Free; $5 camping permit per night.
>Highlight: It is home to 21 rare plants and 31 animals, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. You might see scrub morning glory, pygmy fringe tree, and cutthroat grass, along with protected animal species including the Florida scrub-jay and gopher tortoise.

The Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park is located along the Lake Wales Ridge. It includes Florida’s most unusual ecosystems—an ancient shoreline and sandbar dating back almost 350,000 years. The park protects more than 8,000 acres of scrub, sandhill, and flatwoods habitat. The Catfish Creek Trail is a 5.8-mile loop that is mostly exposed with little to no shade. This trail crosses a lot of sandy terrain, which can make even a relatively short walk feel strenuous. Be prepared with plenty of water and consider bringing your own shade.

Torreya Challenge Loop, Torreya State Park

Mileage: 7-13 miles
Location: Torreya State Park Loop Parking Lot, Bristol
Entrance fee: $3 vehicle entrance fee; $5 backcountry camping fee
Highlight: Striking cliff formation and primitive camping for backpackers.

This hike follows the Apalachicola River and offers some of the most challenging terrain in this part of Florida. It can be completed as a 7-mile single loop if you want a shorter dayhike. Or, extend the hike by adding the second loop. It connects with the first and nearly doubles the distance to 13 miles. In total, you’ll gain a whopping 1,646 feet of elevation. If you want to make this an overnight adventure, there are three different primitive campsites along the trail. Campsites require a $5 backcountry camping fee and must be reserved at Torreya State Park or by phone at 850-643-2674.