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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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St Johns River at Welaka

St. Johns River

Hiking, biking, paddling, camping, and other outdoor recreation, public lands, and communities along the shores of the St. Johns River. This is Florida’s longest river, rising in marshes west of Vero Beach and flowing northward 310 miles to the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville. As it has a vast floodplain, there are extensive public lands along its entire route.

Among the Palms

Taylor Creek Loop

December 18, 2011    Sandra Friend

Of all of Florida’s habitats, the one that truly sings “Florida” is the palm hammock, a richly textured riot of green and fronds, of mosses and lichens, of light and shadow perfectly balanced. Enjoy it on the Taylor Creek Loop.

Arlington Park

Arlington Park

Jacksonville      ( 30.376967, -81.618467 )      1.1 miles

A breezy walk along the St. Johns River is an easy way to start your day in Jacksonville at the Arlington Lions Club Park, with riverside boardwalks and a mile of trails

Bartram Gardens & Trail

Bartram Gardens & Trail Stetson

Stetson University  |  DeLand
( 29.000718, -81.355957 )      

Along the St. Johns River at Lake Beresford, discover the river anew through William Bartram’s eyes as he recorded his observations of alligators, fish, and flora in 1774

Bayard Conservation Area

Wild iris at Bayard Point Conservation Area

Green Cove Springs      ( 29.976802, -81.639217 )      7.0 miles

Bayard Conservation Area preserves an untouched riverfront forest on the St. Johns River. Follow this route through the John P. Hall Nature Preserve to visit the river

Bear encounter at Black Bear Wilderness

Three bears at Black Bear Wilderness

October 20, 2012    Sandra Friend

Visiting this Seminole County preserve for the first time, a string of excellent wildlife sightings culminates in seeing three bears at the trailhead.

Biking around Osteen

East Central Regional Rail Trail near Osteen

November 6, 2018    Sandra Friend

Using Beck Ranch Park as our launch point for a cycling adventure in Osteen, we discovered how easy it was to stitch together the local network of bike paths into a pleasant ride, with the Osteen Diner right at hand for lunch.

Biking Tosohatchee

Parking Area 32

April 5, 2018    John Keatley

A 20.2-mile circuit on forest roads by bike provides a unique perspective on this 31,000-acre preserve along the St. Johns River floodplain in Christmas.

Black Bear Wilderness Area

Black Bear Wilderness

Sanford      ( 28.835294,-81.355201 )      7.1 miles

North of Orlando, Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford offers some of the best wildlife watching in the region on its loop along the St. Johns River.

Black Bear Wilderness Loop Trail

Along a narrow levee on the Black Bear Wilderness Loop Trail

Black Bear Wilderness Area  |  Sanford
( 28.835294,-81.355201 )      7.1 miles

Trot out your sense of adventure for an immersion into one of the wildest trails you’ll find near Orlando, the 7.1-mile loop in the Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford.

Black Bear Wilderness Walk

Boardwalk

Black Bear Wilderness Area  |  Sanford
( 28.835294,-81.355201 )      2.0 miles

Discover the beauty of the St. Johns River floodplain along this 2 mile round-trip to the rivers edge in wildlife-rich Black Bear Wilderness Area

Blue Spring State Park

Manatees in clear spring water

Orange City      ( 28.9516, -81.3337 )      

Blue Spring State Park is well acclaimed for being the best place in Florida to see manatees in the wild, and we don’t mean a dozen or two. Think hundreds.

Bluffton Nature Trail

Bluffton Nature Trail

Lake George State Forest  |  Volusia
( 29.125353, -81.503343 )      1.2 miles

South of Astor along the St. Johns River, the Bluffton Recreation Area in Lake George State Forest paints a picture of Florida’s prehistoric past, leading you through uplands habitats above the river basin.

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