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Hiker on a boardwalk in jungle like forest

Timucuan Trail

While less than a mile long, the Timucuan Trail at Alexander Springs Recreation Area is the best place to sample the Big Scrub habitats of the Ocala National Forest while enjoying lush habitats along a spring run.

Ocala National Forest  |  Alexander Springs
( 29.080850,-81.576317 )      0.9 miles

584 shares

NOTE: As of June 2022, this trail is closed for renovations.

In less than a mile, the Timucuan Trail covers all of the major habitats of the Ocala National Forest.

From spring-side hydric hammocks and floodplain forest to sand pine scrub, this short hike has it all.

Hiker on Timucuan Trail Hiking the Timucuan Trail


It’s an integral part of the Alexander Springs Recreation Area, which offers swimming, camping, canoe and kayak rentals and shuttles, and access to the Florida Trail as well.

Paddlers on run Paddlers on Alexander Run as seen from the Timucuan Trail


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Length: 0.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.080850,-81.576317
Address: 49525 CR 445, Altoona
Fees: $8 weekday/$11 weekend per person day use fee
Restroom: At the day use area
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 352-625-3147

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is operated as a concession by Adventure Ocala. Recreation area open 8-8.

Dogs are not permitted in the day use area, so you cannot take your dog on this hike.

Hiker on boardwalk under palms


Directions

 
From SR 40 east of Astor, turn south on CR 445A and follow the signs. After 0.4 mile, turn left on CR 445 and continue south into the Ocala National Forest for 5.7 miles to the recreation area entrance on the right, just after the bridge over Alexander Run.

Hike

From the large Timucuan Trail sign, a boardwalk leads into a lush hydric hammock, deeply shaded by cabbage palms.

Clusters of cinnamon ferns rise from patches of land between clear, sand-bottomed rivulets.

hiker on boardwalk in palm forest Hiking through the hydric hammock


You feel as if you’ve walked into a lush jungle, and so it was for the Timucua who once lived along the banks of this spring.

Interpretive signs relate information about the habitat and its inhabitants.

Interpretive sign Interpretive stop along the boardwalk


At the junction with a rough sand footpath, follow the footpath, which climbs into an upland forest.

Hikers preferring an accessible surface should skip the footpath and continue along the boardwalk, which is a beautiful out-and-back hike in its own right.

Hiker browsing interpretive sign in forest Natural surface footpath


Dogwood, oaks, and magnolia grow on a high bluff along a flowing creek.

The trail drops and turns to boardwalk to cross the creek. At the end of the boardwalk, roots invade the footpath and the soil may be squishy.

Creek in the forest Spring-fed creek


Up you go, through an upland forest and into the Big Scrub. Can you smell the the sweet aroma of silk bay?

Gnarled sand live oaks provide shade beneath the tall sand pines.

hickory leaves Hickory leaves in the uplands


The trail soon enters another cabbage palm grove, where dark-green needle palms fill the understory. At 0.4 mile is another boardwalk and a stand of ancient cypress.
A side trail leads off to the right to a small sinkhole-like depression.

Tall, old cypress Ancient cypress rising above the forest


Dropping into a forest of magnolia trees, the Timucuan Trail curves left. At 0.6 mile, it meets the boardwalk again. Turn right.

Follow it to an observation platform, which offers an excellent view of Alexander Run as it comes around a curve.

Man looking at receding canoe Observation point at the end of the boardwalk


This is the turn-around point. On the return trip, follow the boardwalk as it keeps close to the shore of the run.

Another side trail leads to an observation deck. It offers a view of the far shore and of the the swimming area at the springs.

Swimming area roped off View of the swimming area from the observation point


The trail winds along through the younger hammock, crossing a sand-bottomed stream as you pass the end of the loop.

Turn right to exit, following the trail out to the day use area. Enjoy a walk along the waterfront on the return trip.

Waterfront at Alexander Springs Waterfront at the spring and observation deck on far shore


Trail Map

Alexander Springs Trail Map
Red: Timucuan Trail. Blue: Florida Trail connector.

Explore More!

Learn more about Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs

Surrounding one of Florida’s most picturesque first magnitude springs, Alexander Springs is a prime destination for a summer swim or snorkel


Slideshow

See our photos of the Timucuan Trail


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Florida Trail Big Scrub near Farles

Florida Trail, Alexander Springs to Farles Prairie

8.6 miles. Dive deep into the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest on this hike through the Big Scrub

Florida Trail near Paisley

Florida Trail, Clearwater Lake to Alexander Springs

10.5 miles. Hike the original miles blazed by Florida Trail Association trailblazers in 1966 along one of the most beautiful sections of the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest

Lake framed by pines

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area

With a campground and lakeside day use area at the southeast corner of the Ocala National Forest, Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers an easy loop hike and access to the Florida Trail.

Hiking at Ellis Acres Reserve

Ellis Acres Reserve

Protecting the western shore of Lake Akron in Paisley, Ellis Acres Reserve offers rolling pastures and woodlands along its 4.3 miles of trails.

Park Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, TrailsTag: Alexander Springs, Astor, Big Trees, Deland, Developed Camping, Eustis, Family-Friendly, Favorites, National Forests, Ocala National Forest, Paisley, Picnic, Scenic Hikes, Springs, Wildlife Viewing

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