Orlando

Home of Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and other theme parks that attract many, many millions of visitors each year, Orlando is also one of Florida’s best places to get outdoors and play.

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Trails around Orlando

• Bear Creek Nature Trail- A patch of wild in a sea of suburbia, Bear Creek provides nearly a mile's worth of exploration atop sandy bluffs in a shady creekside hammock in Winter Springs.
• Big Tree Park- While the iconic Senator is no more, Big Tree Park continues to fascinate visitors with its enormous cypress trees, including Lady Liberty. The park provides access to the Cross Seminole Trail.
• Biking Tosohatchee- A 20.2-mile circuit on forest roads by bike provides a unique perspective on this 31,000-acre preserve along the St. Johns River floodplain in Christmas.
• Bill Frederick Park- Inside the city of Orlando, the urban Bill Frederick Park has a wild side, too, with more than 2 miles of trails to meander through scrub forest and along Turkey Lake.
• Black Bear Wilderness Loop Trail- Trot out your sense of adventure for an immersion into one of the wildest trails you'll find near Orlando, the new 7.1-mile loop in the Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford
• Black Hammock Wilderness Area- Black Hammock is a bit of Old Florida in Oviedo, with a trail showcasing a delightfully long boardwalk and a loop through scrub habitats above Lake Jesup
• Disney Wilderness Preserve- Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the Disney Wilderness Preserve is a 12,000 acre showcase for habitat conservation amid growing suburban sprawl south of Orlando
• Econ River Wilderness- In the Orlando suburbs, the Econ River Wilderness is in one of those places where you’d never suspect wilderness still existed, yet trails led you to wild places
• 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
• Flagler Trail South- Following a historic railroad route, the southern portion of the Flagler Trail provides a sometimes rugged, sometimes gentle ride between Geneva and Chuluota
• Florida Trail, Bronson State Forest- A quick sampler of the beauty of Bronson State Forest, this walk on the Florida Trail to Bunscombe Creek and back offers a great perspective on summer wildflowers.
• Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek- Enjoy the natural beauty of habitat diversity along this 4.3-mile segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest
• Florida Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest- One of the most beautiful hikes near Orlando is rugged, too: the Florida Trail atop bluffs above the Econlockhatchee River through Little-Big Econ State Forest.
• Florida Trail, Mills Creek- As the Florida Trail follows the curve of the basin in which Mills Creek into a bowl of marshlands, enjoy old-growth trees and long boardwalks along this 2 mile hike
• Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch- At Seminole Ranch Conservation Area in Christmas, the Florida Trail follows a linear 4.9 mile route through a string of hydric hammocks in the St. Johns River floodplain
• Florida Trail, Tosohatchee- Bridging an immense expanse of pine flatwoods bisected by floodplain forests, a 10-mile segment of the statewide Florida Trail crosses Tosohatchee WMA.
• Florida Trail, Wheeler Road to Joshua Creek- Along its 9.4 mile route, the Florida Trail through Seminole Ranch and southern Bronson State Forest provides an unexpected array of botanical delights
• Geneva Wilderness Area- Showcasing prairie ponds amid scrub on the edge of a pine flatwoods, Geneva Wilderness Area offers two loops of gentle paths on which to explore the habitats.
• Hal Scott Preserve- At Hal Scott Preserve, enjoy vast prairies and seepage bogs, the Econ River, and camping under a live oak canopy—all within minutes of the Orlando International Airport
• Historic Babb Landing- Take an easy walk to Shingle Creek at Historic Babb Landing along a family-friendly trail with great opportunities for birding and outdoor play.
• Isle of Pine Preserve Blue Trail- Creating a loop through upland habitats perfect for gopher tortoise survival, the Blue Trail is one of two separate trails through Isle of Pine Preserve.
• Isle of Pine Preserve Green Trail- Providing access to the floodplain forest along Lake Mary Jane, the Green Trail is one of two separate trails through the 550-acre Isle of Pine Preserve.
• Kelly Park- Tubing down Rock Springs Run is why most folks show up at Kelly Park, but the Kelly Loop Trail is a nice dry way to see the waterway and wildlife.
• Lake Harney Wilderness Area- A 300-acre preserve at the outflow of Lake Harney, part of the St. Johns River, Lake Harney Wilderness has panoramic views and history to explore on 2+ miles of trails.
• Lake Jesup Cameron Tract- On a mile loop in grassy prairies along Lake Jesup, enjoy some of the best palm-framed panoramas you'll find of this massive lake.
• Lake Jesup East Tract- The 2.1-mile loop at Lake Jesup Conservation Area leads to an observation tower that provides a sweeping view of one of the Orlando metro's larger lakes.
• Lake Jesup Marl Bed Flats- Featuring one of the prettiest hammocks of ancient live oaks that you'll find along Lake Jesup, the Marl Bed Flats Tract of Lake Jesup Conservation Area is a delightful place for birding.
• Lake Jesup Wilderness- A dazzling array of swamp sunflowers await each fall at Lake Jesup Wilderness, an expansive wetland area along the northern shore of Lake Jesup.
• Lake Lotus Park- At Lake Lotus Park in Altamonte Springs, the 1.7-mile trail system along Lake Lotus and the Little Wekiva River floodplain provides a great respite from surrounding suburbia.
• Lake Mills Park- One of Seminole County’s prettiest county parks with boardwalks through a cypress swamp, Lake Mills Park makes an excellent family destination.
• Lake Proctor Wilderness Area- Protecting 475 acres of marshlands, prairie, and scrub forest, Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is one of the best places near Orlando to see sandhill cranes.
• 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.
• Little-Big Econ Kolokee Loop- A loop hike in Little Big Econ State Forest, the 4.7-mile Kolokee Loop shows off the best facets of the Florida Trail along the Econlockhatchee River.
• Little-Big Econ State Forest- One of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation in the Orlando metro area, Little-Big Econ State Forest protects more than 9,500 acres along the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River
• Lower Wekiva River Preserve Sandhills Trail- The Sandhills Nature Trail at Lower Wekiva Preserve State Park has been destroyed by clearcutting of the forest by DOT for the Wekiva Parkway.
• Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park- Wet or dry: those are your choices for exploring Lower Wekiva River Preserve, either from a launch point at the old Katie's Landing along the Wekiva River, or from the southern trailhead along SR 46.
• Mead Garden- A 47-acre urban preserve, Mead Garden is a pleasant place for a forested walk of less than a mile in Winter Park, hosting many special events under its canopy of oaks.
• Oakhill and Prairie Lakes Trails- On the Western Addition trails at Kelly Park, explore scrub and oak hammock habitats where the remains of a spring-fed lake can be seen.
• Oakland Nature Preserve- Protecting more than 128 acres along Lake Apopka, Oakland Nature Preserve offers an accessible boardwalk through marshes to the lake and uplands trails to explore.
• Orlando Wetlands Park- For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds about their daily routines, Orlando Wetlands Park is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop showcases our favorite route.
• Pine Lily Preserve- Wildflowers are the highlight of Pine Lily Preserve east of Orlando, where the threatened and colorful pine lily (Lilium catesbaei Walter) blooms in summer.
• Reedy Creek Swamp- At the Osceola District Schools Environmental Study Center, trails along Reedy Creek Swamp showcase the beauty of the ancient cypress and floodplain forest.
• Rock Springs Run Hiking Trail- With more than 12 miles of hiking through the heart of Florida black bear territory, Rock Springs Run State Reserve gets you into the wild outside Orlando.
• Sabal Point Sanctuary- Leading 3.5 miles into a 2,500-acre floodplain forest where the Wekiva River and Little Wekiva River meet, the Sabal Point Sanctuary trail in Longwood is a simple one but quite beautiful.
• Savage Christmas Creek Preserve- Protecting nearly 200 acres, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve east of Orlando has more than 8 miles of hiking trails through sweeping prairie and pine flatwoods landscapes.
• Shingle Creek Steffee Homestead- With 1.3 miles of meandering trails through pine flatwoods and along the floodplain of Shingle Creek, the Historic Steffee Homestead portion of Shingle Creek Park makes for an easy family ramble.
• 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.
• Spring Hammock Preserve- The home of some of Florida's most ancient cypresses, Spring Hammock Preserve in Winter Springs is one of the most delightful places to take a hike in the Orlando area.
• Tibet-Butler Preserve- A wildlife haven within earshot of Walt Disney World, Tibet-Butler Preserve provides 3.6 miles of well-kept and gentle hiking trails for family fun.
• Tosohatchee White Loop- At nearly 12 miles, the White Loop is the longest loop trail in Tosohatchee WMA and includes a large portion of the Florida Trail, traversing palm hammocks and pine flatwoods near the St. Johns River.
• Trimble Park- A 1.3-mile nature trail at Trimble Park near Mount Dora offers a family-friendly outdoor adventure beneath ancient oaks and cypresses along the shorelines of two lakes
• Twin Oaks Conservation Area- Named for two ancient live oaks that have long guided anglers to their favorite fishing hole, Twin Oaks Conservation Area protects 399 acres along Lake Tohopekaliga
• Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail- A 10.2-mile loop through landscapes both vast and intimate, the Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail shows off the best of nature at Wekiwa Springs State Park.
• Wekiwa Springs State Park- A massive wilderness area on the edge of the Orlando metro, Wekiwa Springs State Park is centered on a first-magnitude spring that bubbles through fissures to pour forth a river lined with jungle-like vegetation.
• Wekiwa Springs Wet to Dry Trail- Starting at the outflow of Wekiwa Springs, the Wet to Dry Trail at Wekiwa Springs State Park offers an easy walk showcasing habitat changes by the waterway.

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Nearby: Apopka, Christmas, Clermont, Cocoa Beach, Geneva, Kissimmee, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Oviedo, Sanford, St. Cloud, Titusville, Walt Disney World