Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides
With the Ocala National Forest, the Cross Florida Greenway, the Florida Trail, and dozens of waterways, springs, and parks, Ocala provides access to more than 200 miles of trails.
INTERACTIVE MAP
Silver Springs Conservation Area protects upland habitats crucial to recharge of Silver Springs. Two stacked loop trails (with a cross-trail on the upper loop) provide several options for hiking.
Marion County’s first conservation area opened with a whisper in May, 330 acres of upland recharge area just to the southwest of the famed Silver Springs. Located at 5415 N.E. 7th St just west of Baseline Road, the trailhead has interpretive maps to guide you along the triple-loop trail system. From a Google Earth view, …
With more than 4 miles of hiking in two trails, the River Trails of Silver Springs State Park are the park’s most popular walks, as they lead you to views along the Silver River.
At Silver River State Park, the Sandhill Nature Trail (which can also be reached from the Sinkhole Trail) is a 1.7-mile loop through a longleaf and wiregrass sandhill habitat.
On the 2.5-mile Sinkhole Trail, take a hike around a giant sinkhole and explore the uplands above the Silver River at Silver Springs State Park
One of the world’s largest and deepest springs, Silver Springs pours out more than 550 million gallons of water daily, forming the Silver River
Life often feels like a headlong rush, until what’s most important comes to the forefront. Here’s what’s been going on for us over the past couple months and our step-by-step efforts to get back to “normal.”
Birding at Sunnyhill Restoration is best along the Levee Trail adjoining the Ocklawaha River and in the marshes beyond it. A round-trip walk leads to a purpose-built bird blind in a hot spot.
A linear path along the channelized Ocklawaha River, the Levee Trail at Sunnyhill Restoration Area stretches 7.5 miles from SR 42 north to Moss Bluff.
Sinkholes are a serious problem in Central Florida, and the finger can be pointed at overdevelopment. Here’s why: it’s all about the water.
Hiking the Western Connector of the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest means an immersion in miles of miles of the Big Scrub, the primary habitat protected by the forest.
We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.
