CLOSED: This trail has been closed since construction of the Wekiva Parkway began.
It was heartbreaking to see the forest that the trail went through mowed down by DOT, especially knowing the rich diversity of wildlife and sandhills flora we’ve experienced here.
We’ve included this nature trail in many of our books over the years because the trailhead was prominently visible along SR 46.
Start of the former Nature TrailResources
Resources for exploring the area
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Overview
Location: Sanford
Trailhead: 28.82843, -81.41155
Address: 262 Wekiva Park Dr, Sanford
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restroom: At Katie’s Landing trailhead
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 407-553-4383
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed pets welcome.
Accessible restrooms and parking but no accessible river access or trails.
Directions
From Interstate 4 exit 101, Sanford, follow SR 46 west 5.2 miles, passing the former entrance to the trail at the traffic light at Longwood-Markham Rd. To reach the current trailhead for the preserve, turn right on Wekiva Park Dr at the circle before the Wekiva River bridge. Continue 1.2 miles to the entrance to Katie’s Landing on the left.
Hike
Both the trailhead and the forest that this trail traverses was destroyed by DOT in 2018.
We no longer have an accurate account of the route in our books. While we hope the trailhead and some version of the trail will reopen, it has not as of September 2022.
An alternative 4.5 mile hike on the Red Loop can be accessed from the above trailhead.
Lower Wekiva River Preserve Red Loop
A quiet path leads through sandhill, scrubby and mesic flatwoods, providing opportunities for bird watching among a vivid backdrop of seasonal flowers.
Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
Paddle, hike, or ride your horse within this massive riverine preserve on the edge of the Orlando metro, where the Wekiva River and St. Johns River mingle.
Slideshow
See our photos of the Sandhill Nature Trail prior to its closure
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Seminole State Forest
With nearly 50 miles of trails and roads for hiking, biking, and equestrian use, Seminole State Forest offers surprising panoramas and bubbling springs north of Orlando.
Lower Wekiva Loop
Explore the Wekiva River and Black Water Creek floodplains on this lengthy loop hike in Seminole State Forest
Black Bear Wilderness Area
North of Orlando, Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford offers some of the best wildlife watching in the region on its loop along the St. Johns River.
Rock Springs Run Hiking Trail
With more than 12 miles of hiking through the heart of Florida black bear territory, the Rock Springs Run Hiking Trail gets you into the wild outside Orlando.