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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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GTM Reserve

GTM Reserve

Circling a peninsula of land between the Guana River and the Tolomato River, the trail system at GTM Reserve is one of North Florida’s most beautiful places to hike.

St. Augustine      ( 30.0229, -81.3291 )      9.0 miles

180 shares

Circling a peninsula of land between the Guana River and the Tolomato River, the extensive trail system at GTM Reserve is open to biking and hiking. Enjoy a walk through maritime forests riffled by a salt breeze.

The trail traverses a broad variety of habitats, including open freshwater savannas, scrub, live oak hammocks, salt marshes, and scrubby flatwoods.

There are many gems along the trail, including the remains of the first-ever Spanish mission in the New World.

This hike is listed as “Guana River State Park” in 50 Hikes in North Florida since at the time we first assessed it, the land was managed by Florida State Parks.

GTM Reserve
See more photos from GTM Reserve

Resources

50 Hikes in North Florida book coverNorth Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book coverHikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Overview

Location: South Ponte Vedra Beach
Length: 9 mile loop with cross and connector trails
Lat-Long: 30.0229, -81.3291
Type: Loop
Fees / Permits: entrance fee
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Bug factor: moderate
Restroom: At nature center
Open 8 AM to sunset

Be sure to visit the interactive visitor center before your hike. It’s a great place to orient yourself to the habitats of this unique chain of islands.

Directions

From St. Augustine, follow A1A north from San Marco Blvd through Vilano Beach into South Ponte Vedra Beach; the park entrance is on the right after 9.5 miles. Drive to the far end of the parking area and walk down the road across the dam to the treeline to find the trailhead.

About the Preserve

Category: Access by water, Beach Hikes, Beaches, Biking, Day Hikes, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, National Estuarine Research Reserves, Nature Centers, North Florida, Paddling, Places, TrailsTag: Archaeological Sites, Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Best Hikes, Birding, Dog-friendly, Favorites, Fishing, Historic Sites, Intracoastal Waterway, Jacksonville, Observation Decks, Riverfront, Rivers, St. Augustine, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

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