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Scrub ridge at Palm Bluff

Palm Bluff Conservation Area

Discover a parade of habitats in the Deep Creek basin on three loop hikes within 3,300 acres east of Deltona.

Deland      ( 28.88872,-81.13906 )      10.3 miles

253 shares

Protecting more than 3,300 acres of the Deep Creek watershed northeast of Deltona, Palm Bluff Conservation Area was once a working cattle ranch.

Across the longest loops in the preserve, free-range cattle still roam through an agreement with local landowners.

Deep Creek is a tributary of the St. Johns River. These lowlands are naturally very swampy with many bayheads, floodplain forests, and cypress domes standing in the open prairies.

Three different routes provide three different lengths for hikes.

White diamond on pine tree and sandy road Following the white diamonds through the preserve


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida 5 Star Trails Orlando Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

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: Osteen
Length: 10.3 miles in three loops
Trailhead: 28.88872,-81.13906
Address: 1275 SR 415, Osteen
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: St. Johns River Water Management District
Phone: 386-329-4404

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Overnight camping available for groups that obtain a permit in advance.

Insect repellent strongly recommended. On the Red or Yellow Loops, expect to get your feet wet.

Trailhead kiosk and start of trail


Directions

 
Palm Bluff Conservation Area is located along SR 415 in southern Volusia County, 1.9 miles north of the intersection with Howland Blvd in Deltona, north of Osteen.

About the Preserve

A large parking area adjoins the trailhead, with plenty of room for horse trailers.

A group campsite is available for use not far from the trailhead, but must be reserved in advance.

Kiosk with map adjoining trail into pines Trailhead kiosk


There are three multi-use trails in the preserve, one of which is an extension of the longest of the loops.

All trails require following the white blazes from the trailhead kiosk for a half mile before reaching where the loops start.

Forest road in pine forest Follow the white blazes to start all hikes


White Trail

The White Trail starts right off the white blazes at the half mile mark, and heads east into damper habitats, making a loop into drier ones on the return. It’s 2.2 miles to complete.

Footpath in shade of palm forest with white blazes

White Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area

An easy sample of habitats found across the 3,300 acres of Palm Bluff Conservation Area, the White Trail offers a short loop through the Deep Creek floodplain.

Red Trail

At that half mile mark, the Red Trail starts at a gate that warns you that cattle are loose behind it. This 6.6 mile loop on the east side of the preserve crosses a creek twice.

The long loop is why this is a favorite destination for equestrians. Add in the trip to and from the trailhead and it’s a 7.6 mile hike.

Sunset in a pine forest

Red Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area

Crossing open pine savannas, pasturelands, and tracing a blackwater creek floodplain, the 7.6-mile Red Trail at Palm Bluff Conservation Area provides a quiet hike east of DeLand.

Yellow Trail

The Yellow Trail is attached to the far northeast corner of the Red Trail. It adds another 2.1 miles for an overall 9.2 mile journey from the trailhead.

Since it’s on the opposite side of the creek, it can also be inundated in times of high water, which is to say often in this particular part of the county.

Blaze post and pines You must complete the entire Red Trail to also tackle the Yellow Trail, plus a mile of the White Trail to do any of the the loops


Trail Map

Palm Bluff Conservation Area Trail Map

All three loops: White (left), Red (center), and Yellow (right)

Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos from Palm Bluff Conservation Area


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Wet trail in pine forest

Deep Creek Preserve

Restoring a ranch back to natural habitats takes time, but brings to life the natural beauty of these soggy habitats in the Deep Creek basin near Lake Ashby

St. Johns River and marshes

Lake Monroe Conservation Area

With marshes brimming with swamp sunflowers and old-growth forests along natural ridges, Lake Monroe Conservation Area protects the St. Johns River north shore at Osteen

Wiregrass and young longleaf pines

Wiregrass Prairie Preserve

Pull on your swamp shoes to explore one of Volusia County’s most remote trail systems along a massive basin swamp in the St. Johns River valley

Beach along St Johns River under palms

Hickory Bluff Preserve

Just east of Osteen, Hickory Bluff Preserve provides a 1.5-mile loop to a bluff of notable size along a scenic stretch of the St. Johns River

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Off Road Biking, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Birding, Deland, Deltona, Dog-friendly, Osteen, Palm Bluff Conservation Area

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Pasture Reserve
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