Red Trail, Hal Scott Preserve

Edging the east side of the Econlockhatchee River floodplain, the Red Trail starts north of the 4 mile White Trail.

To reach it from the south requires fording a frequently flooded tributary of the Econlockhatchee River.

The ford

An alternate access from the north – a 4.4 mile loop through Pine Lily Preserve and Long Branch – enables hikers to keep their feet dry. Largely.

Two drainage canals slice across this landscape, connecting the Wedgefield subdivision off SR 520 to the river.

Red blaze along canal stretching into the distance

Path along drainage canal

Formerly ranchland, the landscape was drained long ago and is largely dry pine flatwoods.

However, its landscapes are lush with seasonal wildflowers, including tiny bogs where pitcher plants and pine lilies flourish.

purple flowers clustered on shrub in pine flatwoods

False foxglove blooms in fall

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

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Overview

Location: Bithlo
Length: Up to 10.2 miles
Trailhead: 28.486333, -81.095833
Address: 5150 Dallas Blvd, Bithlo
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land Manager: St. Johns Water Management District
Phone: 386-329-4404

Open sunrise to sunset. Cyclists and equestrians share the trails.

Leashed dogs welcome if the trail is accessed from the White Trail. Dogs are not permitted in Pine Lily Preserve.

Directions

From SR 436 at the Orlando International Airport, take toll SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) east to Exit 24, Dallas Blvd. Turn left and drive 2.4 miles to the park entrance on the left. You must hike the White Trail to reach the Red Trail. To reach this loop from the north, see the Pine Lily-Long Branch Loop.

Hike

From the main parking area, round the gate and walk west along the two-track to the preserve kiosk. Take a map or photo of the map posted on it.

Reaching the White Trail junction at a double diamond blaze, turn right to walk it counterclockwise, quickly rising into a pine savanna.

Pine savanna

Rounding a curve to sweep west, enter a vast palmetto prairie. Carnivorous plants thrive amid well-hidden bogs in the wiregrass.

Drop through several low spots. At 1.1 miles, a stream seasonally trickles through a narrow drainage. The trail draws closer to a distant treeline on the horizon.

Close up of small bog with thread-leaf sundew and hooded pitcher plants

Carnivorous plant bog

At 2 miles, meet the start of the Red Trail at a T intersection. Turn right to follow the red diamonds towards the treeline.

Inside this ribbon of trees, a creek flows towards Econlockhatchee River. Gravel undergirds the path, which may require a wade.

Red blaze on pine where trail enters treeline

Entering the hammock

After the creek crossing, emerge out of the forested swale, rising up to the signposted Red Trail loop junction.

Take the east side into the pine flatwoods, passing a wooden rain shelter.

Loop junction

Expect a profusion of wildflowers through this stretch each fall, from the waving stalks of blazing star to rosinweed and delicate narrow-leaved sabatia.

Turning toward the east-west Nettleton Canal a mile north of the loop junction, cross culverts to its north side.

Nettleton Canal

Reaching a power transmission line, make a sharp right turn to head east beneath it.

After slightly less than a half mile, the trail makes a sharp a north turn to enter a pine-dotted savanna.

Powerline

At 4.6 miles, reach the east-west canal that marks the north boundary of Hal Scott Preserve.

Yellow diamonds mark the junction with the Pine Lily-Long Branch Loop, which heads south and east from here.

Red blaze visible beyond foreground yellow diamonds

Pine Lily-Long Branch Loop junction

Turn left to follow the Red Trail west, paralleling the south side of the canal along a grassy stretch for the next mile.

Leaving the canal where it filters into the floodplain forest to the west, make a sharp left south into the pine flatwoods.

Double diamond on tree with forest beyond

Reaching the northwest corner of the loop

The west side of the loop skims close to the Econlockhatchee River floodplain. The old ranch road it follows may get soggy.

Turn left with the red diamonds under the power lines 7 miles into the hike. In the opposite direction, a path leads 0.4 miles to a walk-in entrance from a subdivision.

Bright red lily bloom with yellow center

Trailside pine lily

Within a quarter mile, turn south to cross the Nettleton Canal again. Immerse in the pine flatwoods, where pine lilies bloom late fall.

Winding through the pine flatwoods, seal the 6.2 mile loop of the Red Trail after 8.2 miles. Continue straight ahead to the creek crossing.

Pine flatwoods

At the White Trail junction, you have two choices. A left retraces the 2 mile route through the palmetto prairie and pine savanna.

For a more immersive walk in the pine savanna or to add on all or part of the Yellow Trail), continue straight ahead. Reach the Yellow Trail junction in a half mile.

Yellow Trail junction

To stay on the White Trail, make a left. In a little over a half mile, pass the junction to the group camp.

After two distinct curves, seal the White Trail loop and follow the straightaway to the trailhead to wrap this 10.2 mile hike.

Pine savanna beyond routed wood 1 mile sign

Reaching the final mile

Trail Map

Explore More!

More hiking in Hal Scott Preserve

Hal Scott Preserve Explore vast prairies and seepage bogs, cross the Econ River at Curry Ford, and camp under a live oak canopy—all just east of the Orlando International Airport.

Hal Scott Yellow Trail Vibrant wildflowers blossom amid seasonally wet flatwoods and pine savannas on this lengthy loop west of the Econlockhatchee River in Hal Scott Preserve.

Adjoining public lands accessible from the Red Trail

Florida myrtle blooming next to a trail with a puddle

Pine Lily Preserve In every season, wildflowers are the highlight along more than 4 miles of trails at Pine Lily Preserve, where its namesake lilies bloom in late summer.

Shady path with a bright blaze on a tree

Long Branch More than 6 miles of interconnected trails east of the Econlockhatchee River explore natural habitats on ranch land undergoing habitat restoration.

Slideshow

See our photos from the Red Trail

Nearby Adventures

Hidden Pond Preserve Putting together several loops providing perspectives on pine flatwoods, prairie, swamp, and a showy pond, Hidden Pond Preserve offers a very enjoyable 1.9 mile hike.

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.

Savage Christmas Creek Preserve Protecting more than a thousand acres, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve east of Orlando has more than 8 miles of trails through panoramic prairie and pine flatwoods landscapes.

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.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website