One of Seminole County’s most stunning natural lands, Spring Hammock Preserve protects over 1,500 acres in the St. Johns River watershed.
Two-thirds of the preserve is swamp. It contains record-setting ancient bald cypress trees, rare cuplet fern, and the largest stand of tulip poplars we know of in Florida.
Tulip poplars overheadAlso home to the Mud Walk, a rite of passage for Seminole County fifth graders, the preserve offers wild, muddy side trails to explore.
Over the years, the preserve’s hydrology and trail system have undergone drastic changes. In 2004, a trio of hurricanes destroyed the original boardwalk leading out to Lake Jesup.
Soggy steps await on the Mud WalkThe entire structure fell into disrepair, and was boarded off around 2012. Rumors circulated of a replacement. The county announced major improvements and a groundbreaking in 2024.
A new and improved Osprey Trail opened to the public in 2025, featuring a paved path and brand-new set of walkways.
New boardwalkResources
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Overview
Location: Winter Springs
Length: 3.5 miles
Trailhead: 28.721694, -81.305889
Address: 2985 Osprey Trail, Longwood
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Across CR 419 at Soldier Creek Park
Land manager: Seminole County
Phone: 407-665-2211
Open sunrise to sunset. Park gates close at dusk. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 4 in Longwood, head east on SR 434 for 3.8 miles before turning left onto US 17 / 92. In 2.6 miles, make a right onto SR 419 and continue for 0.6 mile before turning left onto Osprey Trail. The accessible parking spaces are at the end of the road on the right.
Hike
Beginning at accessible parking spaces alongside the main drive, follow a concrete sidewalk for 300 feet, crossing an urban section of the Florida Trail.
Delve into a deeply shaded subtropical hardwood hammock. Cabbage palm, sweetgum, ash, and hickory rise above.
Trace the wide, level asphalt pathway as it follows a gentle curve into the dense forest.
Paved pathwayThe trail is accompanied by a drainage canal at 0.4 mile, where a set of bridges allow access to the Mud Walk trails on the opposite side.
What was once a loop known as the Magnolia Trail is now an unmarked set of social trails traversing an often-muddy fern-filled jungle.
Next to one of the bridges, concrete steps lead down to water across from a pavilion used for environmental education.
Bridge to the Mud WalkContinuing down the paved pathway for another quarter mile, turn right at a short boardwalk leading to its centerpiece, a majestic bald cypress.
The walkway wraps around this breathtaking tree, providing a set of benches on each side.
Ancient cypress treeIn another few hundred feet down the main trail, a natural spring forms a small pool known as Question Pond.
Ripples on the surface reveal a barely discernible flow as minnows dart around in the cloudy blue waters.
Question PondAt 0.9 miles, an impressive, tall boardwalk leads deeper into the floodplain. Trees gradually increase in size, including some huge cypresses.
Below the wooden walkway, alligators and wading birds prowl among cypress knees and duckweed-covered swamp waters.
Benches on the boardwalkReach the end of the boardwalk at 1.2 miles. A short pier offers panoramic views of Lake Jesup. From this point, turn around and head back to the paved path.
Follow it past the Mud Walk bridges and look for a wide dirt pathway on the left known as the Robin Trail.
View of Lake JesupLined with lush vegetation, this trail gradually narrows before ending at the paved Cross Seminole Trail. Head into the woods on the opposite side.
The trail follows the bluffs of Soldiers Creek, offering one of the nicest pieces of footpath in the preserve for the next quarter mile.
Soldiers CreekWhen you see the railroad bridge, turn right to join the Primary Trail. Follow a series of narrow footpaths through the forest.
At a four-way junction, continue straight. Pass several more trail junctions. Reach the parking area next to the environmental center.
Head east from here, either along the sidewalk or a wide path through a patch of pine flatwoods to the starting point.
This hike intersects the Florida Trail, which crosses Spring Hammock Preserve on its linear routeTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Spring Hammock Preserve
Slideshow
See our photos from Spring Hammock Preserve
Nearby Adventures
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.
Lake Jesup Marl Bed Flats For the broadest panorama along the south shore of Lake Jesup, follow this mile-long loop through lush oak hammocks and open prairies in a rural corner of Sanford.
Lake Jesup Cameron Tract On a mile-long loop in grassy prairies along Lake Jesup, enjoy palm-framed panoramas of the open prairies along the lakeshore.
Lake Jesup Wilderness A pair of loop trails across the St. Johns River floodplain create a 4-mile hike amid jungle-like hammocks and expansive prairies that erupt with vibrant sunflowers in the fall.
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