On land historically used for cattle ranching, D Ranch Preserve is now owned and managed by Conservation Florida.
Since acquiring the property in 2019, the organization has worked with volunteer groups and agencies on restoration programs and building trails, opening to the public in 2025.
The well-marked trail system compliments a map guiding visitors across ecosystems from upland pine forests to wetlands in the northern part of the preserve that seasonally flood.
Picnic tables and benches provide opportunities to rest and take in the sights and sounds of these natural landscapes along the way.
Trail corridorResources
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Overview
Location: Osteen
Length: 3.9 miles
Trailhead: 28.832000, -81.190917
Address: 2655 Reed Ellis Rd, Osteen
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Portalet at trailhead
Land manager: Conservation Florida
Phone: 352-376-4770
Open sunrise to sunset. No pets allowed.
Directions
From the Interstate 4 exit for DeBary Ave south of Deltona, head east on Debary Ave for 2.2 miles, before turning right onto Garfield Rd. In 0.8 miles turn left onto Enterprise-Osteen Rd. Continue for 3.5 miles, and the preserve entrance will be on the left.
Hike
Beginning at the parking area, head through a set of gates towards a prominent trailhead kiosk displaying a map of the preserve.
Posts with red trail markers indicate the path as it heads across an open field, passing a sign pointing to a trailside picnic table in the shade.
Trailhead kioskAt an intersection of trails in 0.2 miles, turn right, continuing to follow red arrows as they lead into a flatwoods habitat covered in saw palmettos and dotted with longleaf pines.
In a tenth of a mile, the path bends eastward to cross a green clearing sprinkled with pawpaws before entering another patch of forest at a junction with the Red and Yellow Trails.
Into the flatwoodsTurn right, following yellow arrows as they weave through a small pine savanna, rejoining the Red Trail at 0.7 miles.
The Red Trail continues another quarter mile to an inviting picnic spot under a majestic live oak draped with Spanish moss.
Picnic spotFrom this point, follow the trail as it loops back, turning to the right where a path marked with white arrows curves northward and emerges from the pine forest into an open pasture.
Pay close attention to the markers as the White Trail takes a sharp turn at 1.4 miles to trace along an edge of the woods.
Across the pastureComing upon red arrows again at 1.7 miles, turn eastward to follow a sandy corridor for 0.4 miles to the end of the Red Trail.
A bat house and an interpretive sign stand in a grassy meadow near a prairie pond.
Head back down the trail for a quarter mile, turning right at a marker for the Green Trail.
Bat houseA wide pathway bordered by lush sand pines leads northwards, passing a small depression marsh as the terrain gradually becomes soggier.
The trail takes a quick turn to the west at the property boundary, skirting around the glassy waters of a pond covered with lily pads before reaching the Blue Loop.
Prairie pondsFollow blue arrows southward for 0.4 mile and make a right turn onto the Red Trail one last time.
Turkey oaks and wiregrass dot xeric soils, hinting at elements of a sandhill or scrub habitat as the trail winds past a bench before returning to the first intersection at 3.7 miles.
From this point, follow the red markers for 0.2 miles back to the trailhead.
Scrubby habitatTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking D Ranch Preserve
Nearby Adventures
Lake Monroe Conservation Area With marshes brimming with swamp sunflowers and old-growth forests along natural ridges, Lake Monroe Conservation Area protects the St. Johns River north shore at Osteen
Hickory Bluff Preserve Just east of Osteen, Hickory Bluff Preserve provides a 1.5-mile loop to a bluff of notable size along a scenic stretch of the St. Johns River.
Wiregrass Prairie Preserve Pull on your swamp shoes to explore one of Volusia County's most remote trail systems along a massive basin swamp in the St. Johns River floodplain.
Palm Bluff Conservation Area Discover a parade of habitats in the Deep Creek basin on three loop hikes within 3,300 acres east of Deltona.
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