As Lake Lizzie Conservation Area took shape over many years and many land acquisitions, we’ve revisited it several times.
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 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 for off-road biking, and a very scenic loop touching on Lake Lizzie at the north end of the preserve.
Hiking at Lake Lizzie Conservation AreaResources
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: St. Cloud
Length: Up to 11 miles (round-trip) 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
There are three distinct trails within Lake Lizzie Conservation Area: loops starting near the north and south trailheads, with a linear trail connecting the two.
The southern loop is the 1.7 mile Marsh Loop, accessed via the orange-blazed Florida Trail from the W.P. Tyson trailhead. It is posted as hiking-only.
Although a prominent kiosk displays information about the Florida National Scenic Trail, this multiuse 3 mile segment is not at all connected to the linear statewide trail.
Start of the Lake Lizzie TrailIntended as part of a future Florida Trail corridor along the edge of the Orlando metro, the orange-blazed trail, also signposted as the Lake Lizzie Trail, ends at the trailheads within this preserve.
The 2.6 mile North Loop, best accessed from the north trailhead, has a reservable group campsite along it.
While a portion of it is on forest roads, it is a scenic trails winding through scrub forest and flatwoods as well as right up to the edge of Lake Lizzie.
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.Trail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from Lake Lizzie Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
Triple N Ranch One of the most rugged trails in Central Florida, the 7.1 mile Blue Loop at Triple N Ranch traverses open pine flatwoods and deeply shaded hardwood hammocks.
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
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
- Hal Scott Yellow Trail - November 3, 2026
- Hal Scott Preserve - October 28, 2026
- Tradewinds Park - October 27, 2026