Caravelle Ranch
Palatka 4.8 milesTake a stroll among pine forests and shady hammocks in the Ocklawaha River watershed on a network of well-marked trails edging the Ocala National Forest.
Cross Florida Greenway
Spanning 110 miles between the St. Johns River near Palatka and the Gulf of Mexico, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a mile-wide recreational corridor.
Davenport Landing Trail
Salt Springs 0.7 milesDeep in the Ocala National Forest, the Davenport Landing Trail provides a scenic loop to a historic landing and archaeological site along the Ocklawaha River.
Farewell to my Cannondale
Requiem for a much-loved bicycle: in November, my vintage Cannondale Super V 1000 mountain bike made its final ride while we were doing trail research in Marion County.
Florida Trail, Rodman to Buckman Lock
Ocala National Forest Cross Florida Greenway 6.5 miles6.5 miles. Providing views across the Cross Florida Barge Canal from a high levee, the Florida Trail between Rodman and Buckman Lock mainly follows the Cross Florida Greenway.
Fly’n R Ranch
Raise a Slush Puppie to toast one of Florida's newest public lands, 3,100 acre Fly’n R Ranch along the Ocklawaha River, thanks to conservationist Will Radcliff
Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area
Ocklawaha 1.6 milesAt Ocklawaha Prairie, east of Lake Weir and south of Marshall Swamp, trails lead to some of the best birding in the region from levees along the extensive marshes of the river basin.
Silver River Connector
Silver Springs 3.0 milesBuilt to showcase the Cross Florida Greenway, the Silver River Connector is a 3-mile round-trip between the former Ocklawaha Visitor Center and Ray Wayside Park.
Summer birding at Sunnyhill
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.
Sunnyhill in the sunshine
Today was my third visit to Sunnyhill Restoration Area, more than 4,400 acres managed by St. Johns Water Management District, and finally, I found the right entrance for a pleasant hike. There are so many entrances to this vast preserve!
Sunnyhill Levee Trail
Weirsdale 7.5 milesA 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.
Sunnyhill Restoration Area
Weirsdale 25.4 milesEdging the eastern shore of the Ocklawaha River north of Lake Griffin, Sunnyhill Restoration Area protects the channelized river's historic floodplain.