Located in the northwestern corner of Orange County, Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve serves as a small, though important puzzle piece of wildlife corridor near Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Opened to the public in 2025, this former slash pine farm supports surprising biodiversity.
The trail system is well marked and maintained, consisting of two short loops designated hiking only.
Exploring the preserveResources
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Overview
Location: Apopka
Length: 0.9 miles
Trailhead: 28.757583, -81.525722
Address: 951 W Kelly Park Rd, Apopka
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Orange County
Phone: 407-836-1400
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From US 441 east of Mount Dora, head east on SR 46 for 3.6 miles before turning right onto CR 437. In 3.5 miles, make a left at W Kelly Park Rd. The entrance will be on the left side of the road in 2.1 miles.
Hike
Beginning next to a round picnic table in the corner of the parking area, head through a gap in the fence, passing an informative display about the preserve.
Green trail markers with arrows lead the way along a pine needle strewn pathway bordered by tall grasses and dogfennel.
Trail entranceAlong the route, several interpretive signs provide detailed facts about various burrowing animals and their relationship with this habitat.
Reaching a junction in a tenth of a mile, turn right to remain on the green loop.
Interpretive signageThe understory thins out, revealing a scattering of saw palmetto, beautyberry, persimmon, and various shrubby oaks.
As the trail winds into the northern end of the preserve, it begins to travel across the undulating terrain of slightly rolling hills.
Green TrailAn assortment of wildflowers dot the open landscape, from golden asters and blazing stars to sandhill milkweed and maypop passionflowers.
Florida greeneyes can be found throughout the preserve, sporting distinctive green and yellow flowers from spring through autumn.
Greeneyes in bloomNear the half mile mark, a well-placed picnic table sits in the middle of a small clearing next to a post indicating the yellow side loop.
This is a pleasant spot to take a rest, far enough from the road to dim traffic noise.
Picnic spotFollow yellow markers and blazes along the short side loop, crossing wavy topography and passing a rustic wooden bench before returning to the picnic spot in a quarter mile.
From this point, head east a tenth of a mile to finish the green loop, and another tenth of a mile back to the trailhead.
Yellow loopTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve
Nearby Adventures
Kelly Park Tubing Rock Springs Run is why most folks visit Kelly Park, but the Kelly Loop Trail provides unique perspectives on many more natural features within the park.
Kelly Park Western Addition Trails Along the Oakhill and Prairie Lake Trails at Kelly Park, explore the Western Addition to walk around anomalous habitats persisting where a spring-fed lake flourished long ago.
Lake Lucie Conservation Area A shaded loop trail winding through mesic hammocks borders a marsh that was once known as Lake Lucie. 
Wekiwa Springs State Park A massive wilderness area on the edge of the Orlando metro, Wekiwa Springs State Park is centered on a first-magnitude spring that pours forth a river lined with jungle-like vegetation.
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026