From two trailheads along the south edge of this 1,750 acre urban preserve, a network of trails follow access roads along powerlines to a set of loop trails in upland areas surrounded by vast basin swamps filled with cypress trees.
The trailhead at the Hunter’s Vista subdivision has more accessible hours, but a hike from the Hunter’s Creek Middle School trailhead offers more varied scenery.
Shingle CreekThis end of the trail system parallels Shingle Creek, with boardwalks and levees providing scenic views. A paddling launch at the school also enables you to explore the area by water.
A third trailhead is at the north edge next to the Marriott Grande Vista Resort. A large swampy area cuts that route off from access to the rest of the trail network. In the future, a boardwalk will bridge that gap.
Thicket of ferns on the damp forest floorResources
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Overview
Location: Orlando
Length: 6.6 miles
Trailheads: 28.368000, -81.436222 (Middle School) and 28.36676, -81.45281 (Vista Park)
Address: 13400 Town Loop Blvd, Orlando, 32837
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: South Florida Water Management District
Phone: 561-686-8800
Open sunrise to sunset (outside of school hours) at Hunter’s Creek Middle School and Marriott Grande Vista Nature Trail, 10 AM to sunset at Hunter’s Vista.
Directions
From the intersection of John Young Pkwy and Osceola Pkwy north of Kissimmee, head north on S John Young Parkway for 1.3 miles before turning left onto Town Center Blvd. In 0.4 mile, make a right onto Town Loop Blvd, then turn left into the middle school parking lot in 0.2 mile. Stay to the left, following the road around to the trailhead behind the school.
If school is in session, you must use the alternate trailhead in Hunter’s Vista. Leave the school complex, making a right on Town Loop Blvd, passing under SR 417, and a right on Town Center Blvd. After 1.6 miles turn right on Hunter’s Vista Blvd, passing under SR 417 again. Continue 0.4 mile to the traffic circle. Take the second exit to stay on Hunter’s Vista Blvd. After 0.6 mile, make a left into Vista Park. To reach the trail network, walk a half mile up the powerline to treeline.
Hike
Beginning at the middle school trailhead, follow a sturdy boardwalk as it crosses over wetlands to the edge of Shingle Creek.
Before you reach the creek, a metal ramp leads from the walkway to a picnic table in an open area on the eastern bank.
Middle school trailheadCrossing over the murky waters, it becomes apparent that this section of the creek has been channelized, as it continues in a straight line to the north and south.
On the other side, the well-trodden trail follows alongside the creek on a raised berm, crossing small tributaries on a series of bridges and boardwalks.
Boardwalk along the creekAt a quarter mile, pines begin to replace cypress trees as the pathway climbs out of the swamp and into a wet flatwoods environment.
Passing a picnic table near the half mile mark, the trail crosses a ditch and leaves the woods, emerging at a clearing under high tension power lines.
Flatwoods transitionFollowing the powerlines west for 0.6 mile across a grassy corridor bordered by shady cypress swamps, the trail reaches the Pine Island East Loop.
A short side trail leads to the beginning of the loop, where a picnic pavilion rests at the edge of an expansive pine prairie.
Picnic pavilion at Pine Island EastA wide mowed pathway circles the perimeter of Pine Island East, where an array of colorful wildflowers bloom throughout the year.
Fetterbush lyonia produces small bell-shaped pink flowers in the spring, while goldenrod and blazing stars sport showy yellow and purple inflorescences in the fall.
Lyonia in bloomReturning to the picnic pavilion at the end of the loop in 1.3 miles, head towards the power lines and continue west to reach another trail junction in a quarter mile.
Along these powerlines, the Hunter’s Vista trailhead is 0.1 mile south of this point (Vista Park is 0.5 mile) and the Pine Island West Loop is 0.7 miles to the north.
Trail junctionGetting to the Pine Island West Loop may require wading through calf to knee deep water depending on the season, as the trail leaves the powerlines to cross a wide ditch.
Circling through scenic pine flatwoods habitats, this loop is a one-mile round trip from the water crossing.
From this intersection, follow the powerlines for 1.6 miles back to Shingle Creek, and continue along the creek and boardwalks for a half mile before reaching the trailhead.
Pine savannaTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Shingle Creek Management Area
Slideshow
See our photos from Shingle Creek Management Area
Nearby Adventures
Shingle Creek Steffee Homestead With boardwalks and trails through pine flatwoods and along the floodplain of Shingle Creek, the Historic Steffee Homestead at Shingle Creek Regional Park makes for an easy family ramble. 
Historic Babb Landing Home to Osceola Pioneer Village, this 160-acre segment of Shingle Creek Regional Park edges Shingle Creek with easy accessible trails looping a former homestead and citrus grove.
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.
Shadow Bay Park A stones'-throw from Orlando’s famous theme parks, Shadow Bay Park protects one of the last remaining scrub ecosystems on the Mount Dora Ridge. 
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- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026