Florida Hikes

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

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.

Inside a Fogbow

It's not often you find yourself inside an unusual natural phenomenon. The perfect combo of fog, sun, and the St. Johns River wrapped us in a fogbow along the Sanford Riverwalk.

Jacksonville

One of Florida's largest cities, Jacksonville will surprise you with its trails on public lands ranging from vast estuaries and beaches to narrow green corridors.

John’s Landing Trail

Welaka   4.3 miles

Named for Philadelphia resident and royal botanist to King George III, John Bartram, the John's Landing Trail leads to his landing site documented in 1765.

Kayaking, with upgrades

For more than a year, each weeknight, I would join my friends Lew and Dale for a paddling trip when the weather permitted. We explored many places new to me, seeing manatees, dolphins and birds too numerous to count on every trip. Once, while paddling in …

Kratzert Trail

Osteen   1.6 miles

For a quick dip into the beauty of the St. Johns River floodplain, the 1.6 mile Kratzert Trail offers a walk beneath ancient oaks and cabbage palms of enormous size.

Lake George Trail

Silver Glen Springs   2.3 miles

Connecting Silver Glen Springs with the river it feeds, the Lake George Trail provides an easy day hike to picturesque views of Lake George on the St. Johns River.

Lake Harney Wilderness Area

Geneva   2.8 miles

With an outstanding accessible observation tower offering a panorama of the St. Johns River floodplain, Lake Harney Wilderness is a must-see for birders and photographers.

Lake Jesup Cameron Tract

Sanford   1.0 miles

On a mile-long loop in grassy prairies along Lake Jesup, enjoy palm-framed panoramas of the open prairies along the lakeshore.

Lake Jesup Marl Bed Flats

Sanford   1.0 miles

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 Monroe Conservation Area

Osteen   12.8 miles

With marshes brimming with swamp sunflowers and old-growth forests along natural ridges, Lake Monroe Conservation Area protects the St. Johns River north shore at Osteen

Lake Monroe Park

DeBary   miles

Centered on a deeply shaded campground with direct access to the St. Johns River for boaters, Lake Monroe Park is a gateway to outdoor adventure.

Little-Big Econ State Forest

Geneva   52.4 miles

Spanning from Oviedo to Geneva and Chuluota, Little Big Econ State Forest encompasses more than 10,000 acres of diverse habitats.