As Lake Lizzie Conservation Area took shape over many years and many land acquisitions, we’ve revisited it several times.
Back in 2001, it didn’t make the cut for 50 Hikes in Central Florida over other public lands in the region, since the trails were primarily forest roads shared with equestrians, which made for tough hiking.
Along the Marsh LoopTimes have changed. While equestrian access to the trail system remains, there is now a hiking-only trail at the south end of Lake Lizzie Conservation Area, the 1.7-mile Marsh Loop.
There is also a well-graded access from the same trailhead under the powerlines on a separate trail for off-road biking.
Hiking at Lake Lizzie Conservation AreaResources
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Overview
Location: St. Cloud
Length: Up to 11 miles in a trail network
Trailhead: 28.227280,-81.178126
Address: 6495 Old Melbourne Hwy, St. Cloud
Fees: Free. Camping fee $12-15 per night.
Restroom: Vault toilets at trailheads
Land manager: Osceola County
Phone: 407-742-8650
Open dawn to dusk. Leashed pets welcome. Do not remove artifacts or plants.
Primitive camping is permitted in designated areas but you must obtain a permit in advance. Call 407-742-0200 (weekdays during office hours) or reserve online. A limit of 6 in a group applies.
This is a big preserve, so print a map and take it along if you plan to explore beyond the well-marked Marsh Loop. We found no maps available to take with us at the trailhead.
Directions
The primary trailhead, W.P. Tyson, is just off US 192 on Old Melbourne Hwy to the east of St. Cloud. The lesser-used northern trailhead is reached by driving north on Pine Grove Rd off US 192 to Bass Hwy and Midland Dr.
Hike
Our most recent exploration in Lake Lizzie Conservation Area was limited to the 1.7-mile Marsh Loop, which features interpretation along its broad hiking-only route.
Lake Lizzie Marsh Loop
In the most accessible corner of the thousand acres that make up Lake Lizzie Conservation Area in St. Cloud, the Marsh Loop is an easy 1.7 mile hiking-only loop
From the south trailhead, the Lake Lizzie Trail extends 3 miles north to the lake and picnic area, a 6 mile round-trip.
Start of the Lake Lizzie TrailExplore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from Lake Lizzie Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Triple N Ranch
Vast pine savannas and pitcher plant bogs await at one of the toughest loop trails in the Orlando area a 7.5-mile challenge at Triple N Ranch WMA.
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA
Providing a 20.5 mile loop for backpacking amid open pine savannas and prairies, the Florida Trail at Bull Creek WMA is a popular destination.
Lake Runnymede Conservation Area
Ancient live oaks provide a tightly knit canopy over the 0.9-mile trail system at Lake Runnymede Conservation Area, a 43 acre urban preserve.
Split Oak Forest WEA
A live oak tree more than 200 years old is the centerpiece of Split Oak Forest, a 2,000-acre prairie and scrub preserve near Orlando, home to families of sandhill cranes