Christmas

Named for the fortress built during the Second Seminole War on Christmas Day of 1837, the community of Christmas sits along creeks that drain towards the St. Johns River.

A bounty of natural lands protecting these forested floodplains provide many hiking opportunities in this rural area of Orange County between Orlando and Titusville, including a long stretch of the Florida Trail, which crosses SR 50 at St. Nicholas Drive.

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Fort Christmas Park

Florida Trail, Christmas Creek

Orlando Wetlands Park

Florida Trail, Bronson State Forest

Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch South

Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch Loop

Florida Trail, Tosohatchee North

Trails and Parks near Christmas

Biking Tosohatchee - A 20.2-mile circuit on forest roads by bike provides a unique perspective on this 31,000-acre preserve along the St. Johns River floodplain in Christmas.
Canaveral Marshes - Hike up to 5 miles on levees through the marshes of the St. Johns River at Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area between Orlando and Titusville.
Econlockhatchee Sandhills CA - In the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River, Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area is a 706-acre showcase of upland habitat diversity with a 3.2 mile loop trail
Florida Trail, Bronson State Forest - A quick sampler of the beauty of Bronson State Forest, this walk on the Florida Trail to Bunscombe Creek and back offers a great perspective on summer wildflowers.
Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek - 3.9 miles. Enjoy the natural beauty of habitat diversity along a scenic segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest
Florida Trail, Orlando - 148.0 miles. Spanning from the Ocala National Forest south through the prairies of Osceola County, the Orlando section of the Florida Trail encompasses the eastern suburbs of the Orlando metro
Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch - At Seminole Ranch Conservation Area in Christmas, the Florida Trail follows a linear 4.9 mile route through a string of hydric hammocks in the St. Johns River floodplain
Florida Trail, Tosohatchee - Bridging an immense expanse of pine flatwoods bisected by floodplain forests, a 10-mile segment of the statewide Florida Trail crosses Tosohatchee WMA.
Florida Trail, Wheeler Road to Joshua Creek - Along its 9.4 mile route, the Florida Trail through Seminole Ranch and southern Bronson State Forest provides an unexpected array of botanical delights
Hal Scott Preserve - At Hal Scott Preserve, enjoy vast prairies and seepage bogs, the Econ River, and camping under a live oak canopy—all within minutes of the Orlando International Airport
Orlando Wetlands Park - For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds about their daily routines, Orlando Wetlands Park is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop showcases our favorite route.
Pine Lily Preserve - Wildflowers are the highlight of Pine Lily Preserve east of Orlando, where the threatened and colorful pine lily (Lilium catesbaei Walter) blooms in summer.
Savage Christmas Creek Preserve - Protecting nearly 200 acres, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve east of Orlando has more than 8 miles of hiking trails through sweeping prairie and pine flatwoods landscapes.
Tosohatchee White Loop - At nearly 12 miles, the White Loop is the longest loop trail in Tosohatchee WMA and includes a large portion of the Florida Trail, traversing palm hammocks and pine flatwoods near the St. Johns River.
Tosohatchee WMA - Protecting more than 30,000 acres of the St. Johns River floodplain near Christmas, Tosohatchee WMA is a place to immerse yourself in the grandeur of old Florida and its bounty of botanical beauty

More near Christmas

Biking Tosohatchee (Apr 2018) - A 20.2-mile circuit on forest roads by bike provides a unique perspective on this 31,000-acre preserve along the St. Johns River floodplain in Christmas.
Bike ride at Orlando Wetlands Park (Mar 2018) - One of the best ways to explore Orlando Wetlands Park is by bike. You can see a lot more than you do on foot. John recounts his journey around the park on his first bicycle trip in many months.
Florida Trail relocation in Seminole Ranch (Jan 2012) - 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 …
Explore Pine Lily Preserve (Dec 2011) - Orange County's Pine Lily Preserve in Bithlo is a great wildflower walk in any season, since carnivorous plants are common in its bogs.
Hiking into Christmas (Dec 2011) - One of the delights of the Florida Trail is that it passes through Christmas, Florida, a beloved stop for postmarks during this holiday season and cheery all year round.
Among the Palms (Dec 2011) - Of all of Florida's habitats, the one that truly sings "Florida" is the palm hammock, a richly textured riot of green and fronds, of mosses and lichens, of light and shadow perfectly balanced. Enjoy it on the Taylor Creek Loop.
Spiderwebs and fog (Dec 2011) - On a cool, crisp morning in Central Florida, fog billows in long streamers across rural landscapes. It's time to visit Pine Lily Preserve in the mist.