Hiking in Florida is always a good idea. And it’s no secret that Florida has some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces featuring some of the most amazing wildlife in the country. From the coast to hardwood forests, lakes, and just about everything in between, the Sunshine State is tailor-made for a fun hiking adventure. Take the time to disconnect from our hectic modern world and you surely won’t regret it. Wondering where to go first? Consider the following list of the best hiking trails in Florida and prepare to be impressed!

  1. Ocala National Forest

Flickr/Phil’s 1stPix The Big Scrub is 360,000 acres of hiking heaven. Ocala’s 75-mile section of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail is widely considered one of the best and most beautiful. Here you’ll find bountiful hills, ponds, pine forest and boardwalks through cypress and gum swamps. Curious to learn more about the Florida National Scenic Trail? Read more about why it’s one of the most epic trails in Florida.

  1. Withlacoochee State Forest

Flickr/B A Bowen Photography Named one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America” by the World Wildlife Fund, Withlacoochee (located in western central Florida) offers camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding and seasonal fishing and hunting. Plus, there are tons of caves to explore inside this magical Florida state forest.

  1. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Flickr/Wes Lindberg

Flickr/Brad Knabel

Flickr/Brad Knabel Florida’s first state park and a National Natural Landmark, Paynes Prairie should not be missed. Where else are you going to catch a glimpse of alligators, bison and wild horses? Learn more about Paynes Prairie Preserve and why it makes for such an incredible Florida day trip.

  1. Little Talbot Island

Flickr/thegforcers

Flickr/thegforcers Not only are there breathtaking beaches, visitors can hike through five different ecosystems and check out a vast array of wildlife on one four-mile trail. Don’t forget to try fishing, kayaking and surfing while you’re there. Or just head to one of the park’s pavilions for a romantic sunset picnic.

  1. Big Shoals State Park

Flickr/B A Bowen Photography Big Shoals is located approximately a mile east of White Springs, FL, and home to the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. If thrill-seekers come at the right time, they can kayak down the Suwanee in class III whitewater rapids. It’s also a terrific hiking spot.

  1. Bulow Creek State Park

Flickr/Rain0975 This park is home to some of the largest and oldest live oaks in Florida. The star is the Fairchild Oak, which is over 400 years old and one of the largest live oaks in the South. The Bungalow Woods Trail will showcase some of the most beautiful scenery in the park.

  1. Little Manatee River State Park

Flickr/Jason Parker For some of the best hiking trails in Florida, head to Little Manatee River State Park. Located not far from Tampa, Little Manatee isn’t just the state park with the cutest name ever, it’s a real hidden treasure. The Little Manatee River is a designated Outstanding Florida Water and flows for nearly five miles through rare and varied ecosystems. This one’s a must-see for the nature fans out there.

  1. Torreya State Park

Flickr/scott.zona Challenging trails, high bluffs and the extremely rare Torreya tree can be found here. Torreya State Park might just have the most beautiful views in Florida.

  1. Big Cypress National Preserve

Flickr/Brian Kaprowski

Flickr/angelzrustedhalo Most of the trail at this unique park is underwater, so come prepared to wade more than hike. Watch out for alligators!

  1. Osceola National Forest

Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife This park is small in size but rich in spirit. Check out the Olustee Battlefield, where the largest Civil War battle in Florida took place, and possibly spot a Florida black bear!

  1. Collier-Seminole State Park

Flickr/kernsandcairns Hike through a mangrove swamp and a landmark dredge in Naples, FL.

  1. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

Flickr/Miguel Vieira Forested swamp featuring diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears. Also the home of the legendary ghost orchid. Learn more about what awaits you at the largest state park in Florida.

  1. Bok Tower Gardens

Flickr/Trish Hartmann This impressive garden and bird sanctuary is located north of Lake Wales, FL. It’s a National Historic Landmark and an absolute must-see. Learn more about Bok Tower Gardens in Florida.

  1. Blue Spring State Park

Flickr/Carol Vinzant At Blue Spring State Park, not only is the water a beautiful bright blue, but endangered manatees are actually present here in large numbers. Have you ever visited the incredible Blue Spring State Park?

  1. Florida Caverns State Park

Flickr/stephg67 Florida Caverns State Park is the only place the public can visit caverns in Florida. In fact, you can even sign up for a tour of these unique Florida caverns.

  1. Falling Waters State Park

Flickr/wishardofoz Come check out the tallest waterfall in Florida! Don’t forget to see the butterfly garden, too. Without a doubt, Falling Water State Park has some of the best hiking trails in Florida.

There’s just no way to include every amazing place to hike in the Sunshine State — there are too many to choose from! Hopefully, we’ve mentioned many of the best places for hiking in Florida; however, please feel free to share some of your favorites with us below!

Flickr/Phil’s 1stPix

The Big Scrub is 360,000 acres of hiking heaven. Ocala’s 75-mile section of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail is widely considered one of the best and most beautiful. Here you’ll find bountiful hills, ponds, pine forest and boardwalks through cypress and gum swamps. Curious to learn more about the Florida National Scenic Trail? Read more about why it’s one of the most epic trails in Florida.

Flickr/B A Bowen Photography

Named one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America” by the World Wildlife Fund, Withlacoochee (located in western central Florida) offers camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding and seasonal fishing and hunting. Plus, there are tons of caves to explore inside this magical Florida state forest.

Flickr/Wes Lindberg

Flickr/Brad Knabel

Florida’s first state park and a National Natural Landmark, Paynes Prairie should not be missed. Where else are you going to catch a glimpse of alligators, bison and wild horses? Learn more about Paynes Prairie Preserve and why it makes for such an incredible Florida day trip.

Flickr/thegforcers

Not only are there breathtaking beaches, visitors can hike through five different ecosystems and check out a vast array of wildlife on one four-mile trail. Don’t forget to try fishing, kayaking and surfing while you’re there. Or just head to one of the park’s pavilions for a romantic sunset picnic.

Big Shoals is located approximately a mile east of White Springs, FL, and home to the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. If thrill-seekers come at the right time, they can kayak down the Suwanee in class III whitewater rapids. It’s also a terrific hiking spot.

Flickr/Rain0975

This park is home to some of the largest and oldest live oaks in Florida. The star is the Fairchild Oak, which is over 400 years old and one of the largest live oaks in the South. The Bungalow Woods Trail will showcase some of the most beautiful scenery in the park.

Flickr/Jason Parker

For some of the best hiking trails in Florida, head to Little Manatee River State Park. Located not far from Tampa, Little Manatee isn’t just the state park with the cutest name ever, it’s a real hidden treasure. The Little Manatee River is a designated Outstanding Florida Water and flows for nearly five miles through rare and varied ecosystems. This one’s a must-see for the nature fans out there.

Flickr/scott.zona

Challenging trails, high bluffs and the extremely rare Torreya tree can be found here. Torreya State Park might just have the most beautiful views in Florida.

Flickr/Brian Kaprowski

Flickr/angelzrustedhalo

Most of the trail at this unique park is underwater, so come prepared to wade more than hike. Watch out for alligators!

Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

This park is small in size but rich in spirit. Check out the Olustee Battlefield, where the largest Civil War battle in Florida took place, and possibly spot a Florida black bear!

Flickr/kernsandcairns

Hike through a mangrove swamp and a landmark dredge in Naples, FL.

Flickr/Miguel Vieira

Forested swamp featuring diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears. Also the home of the legendary ghost orchid. Learn more about what awaits you at the largest state park in Florida.

Flickr/Trish Hartmann

This impressive garden and bird sanctuary is located north of Lake Wales, FL. It’s a National Historic Landmark and an absolute must-see. Learn more about Bok Tower Gardens in Florida.

Flickr/Carol Vinzant

At Blue Spring State Park, not only is the water a beautiful bright blue, but endangered manatees are actually present here in large numbers. Have you ever visited the incredible Blue Spring State Park?

Flickr/stephg67

Florida Caverns State Park is the only place the public can visit caverns in Florida. In fact, you can even sign up for a tour of these unique Florida caverns.

Flickr/wishardofoz

Come check out the tallest waterfall in Florida! Don’t forget to see the butterfly garden, too. Without a doubt, Falling Water State Park has some of the best hiking trails in Florida.

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Address: Ocala National Forest, Florida 32179, USAAddress: Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida 33597, USAAddress: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy, FL, USAAddress: Little Talbot Island, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USAAddress: Big Shoals State Park, Southeast Co Road 135, White Springs, FL, USAAddress: Bulow Creek State Park, 3351 Old Dixie Hwy, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USAAddress: Little Manatee River State Park, 215 Lightfoot Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598, USAAddress: Torreya State Park, 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USAAddress: Big Cypress National, Big Cypress, FL 34141, USAAddress: Osceola National Forest, Florida 32087, USAAddress: 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34114, USAAddress: Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, 137 Coast Line Dr, Copeland, FL 34137, USAAddress: Bok Tower Road, Bok Tower Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USAAddress: Blue Spring State Park, 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, USAAddress: Florida Caverns State Park, Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL, USAAddress: Falling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking in Florida May 18, 2021 Beth C. What are the most beautiful hiking trails in Florida? The most beautiful hiking trails in Florida are:

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples Big Cypress Bend in Fakahatchee Preserve State Park Timucuan Trail in Alexander Springs Caladesi Island Trail in Dunedin Garden of Eden Trail in Bristol Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park Falling Waters Sinkhole Trail in Chipley Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka

  Learn more about these beautiful hiking trails in Florida. Does Florida have any natural wonders? Florida’s top natural wonders include:

Devil’s Den in Williston Ocala National Forest Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

  Florida is filled with stunning natural wonders, no matter which region of the state you’re exploring. Some of these attractions are easy to access, while others are a bit off-the-beaten-path. Nevertheless, they’re all worth experiencing. Have you visited any of these natural wonders in Florida? We’ve mapped them all out in one convenient natural wonders road trip!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking in Florida

May 18, 2021

Beth C.

What are the most beautiful hiking trails in Florida? The most beautiful hiking trails in Florida are:

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples Big Cypress Bend in Fakahatchee Preserve State Park Timucuan Trail in Alexander Springs Caladesi Island Trail in Dunedin Garden of Eden Trail in Bristol Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park Falling Waters Sinkhole Trail in Chipley Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka

  Learn more about these beautiful hiking trails in Florida. Does Florida have any natural wonders? Florida’s top natural wonders include:

Devil’s Den in Williston Ocala National Forest Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

  Florida is filled with stunning natural wonders, no matter which region of the state you’re exploring. Some of these attractions are easy to access, while others are a bit off-the-beaten-path. Nevertheless, they’re all worth experiencing. Have you visited any of these natural wonders in Florida? We’ve mapped them all out in one convenient natural wonders road trip!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The most beautiful hiking trails in Florida are:

  • Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples
  • Big Cypress Bend in Fakahatchee Preserve State Park
  • Timucuan Trail in Alexander Springs
  • Caladesi Island Trail in Dunedin
  • Garden of Eden Trail in Bristol
  • Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park
  • Falling Waters Sinkhole Trail in Chipley
  • Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka

 

Learn more about these beautiful hiking trails in Florida.

Does Florida have any natural wonders?

Florida’s top natural wonders include:

  • Devil’s Den in Williston
  • Ocala National Forest
  • Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound
  • John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

Florida is filled with stunning natural wonders, no matter which region of the state you’re exploring. Some of these attractions are easy to access, while others are a bit off-the-beaten-path. Nevertheless, they’re all worth experiencing. Have you visited any of these natural wonders in Florida? We’ve mapped them all out in one convenient natural wonders road trip!