One of Marion County’s finest parks, Carney Island preserves a peninsula jutting out into Lake Weir near Ocklawaha. As I discovered by leading a hike there, the beach at Lemon Point is a destination not just for hikers but boaters too.
Fall in the floodplain
Don’t believe people when they say there are no seasons in Florida. We always look forward to the change of color in Florida’s floodplains, even if they happen in December.
Florida Trail relocation in Seminole Ranch
A recent relocation of the Florida Trail in Seminole Ranch Conservation Area has opened up another beautiful stretch of hiking along the floodplain of the St. Johns River north of Christmas. Removing the long-standing roadwalk along Wheeler Road from the equation means a well-shaded and most interesting walk in the woods as you head north …
Hinson Preserve a hiker’s hideaway
A long entrance road belies the delights of Hinson Conservation & Recreation Area, the newest place for hikers to play in Marianna. Facilitated by the Office of Greenways and Trails, the preserve, just south of downtown along SR 71, encompasses a sweep of former pastureland and pine plantations, pecan groves and upland forest. On the …
Robinson Preserve
Farmland turned back to mangrove marshes: that’s Robinson Preserve, with more than 4 miles of hiking on shell and wild pathways along Tampa Bay at Bradenton.
Seminole, for bear
One of my most recent delights, on a walk in the woods, was the surprise provided by Seminole State Forest on a revisit after a decade: a bear encounter.
Topsail Hill Preserve Hiking Trails
Protecting more than 3 miles of oceanfront on the Gulf of Mexico, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has an extensive day hiking trails system with over 15 miles of hiking.
