With a new year ahead of us well underway, this is the time that we all need to plan for changes and work toward goals and desires to make this next year an epic one. Maybe it’s as simple as picking up a new hobby, or maybe it focuses on health and getting your body moving more. If you want to kick the new year off right, not only getting outside and exploring more but also seeing different parts of Florida while you’re at it, then we have some of the coolest, calmest hikes you can take. You can be new to hiking or a seasoned hiker in order to enjoy some of the best hikes in Florida – enjoyment is the entire point, after all.
- Ravine Gardens Loop Trail
AllTrails E S Ravine Gardens State Park is a true gem in Florida that many residents seem to overlook. Throughout this park, ancient ravines have been transformed into stunning tropical gardens, which become a beauty to see in person. Take the 2.6-mile hike and enjoy the relaxed walk through nature. Here’s the official website of Ravine Gardens State Park. Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
- Timucuan Trail, Alexander Springs
TripAdvisor MichalOnTheRoad Visitors tend to visit Alexander Springs in order to enjoy the warm natural pool or to journey down the 7-mile Juniper Run in a canoe. But there is also a unique opportunity to hike in this area, too! Hike through the various habitats, keeping an eye out for wildlife as you wind up back at the swimming hole to cool off. This serene forest trail is easy and full of history. Learn more about the Timucuan Trail. Alexander Springs, FL 32702, USA
- Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park
Flickr Siddharth Machado Ahh, the Everglades. It’s easy to get lost in all this beautiful park has to offer, but when you visit for the opportunity to hike and enjoy nature, you’ll fall in love. The Anhinga Trail is a perfect place to start for beginners because it clocks in at just shy of a mile roundtrip. It’s a self-guided trail which winds through the swamp and sawgrass, giving you glimpses of herons, turtles, anhingas, alligators, and more! Find more on the Anhinga Trail. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
- Falling Waters Sinkhole Trail, Chipley
TripAdvisor advocon While Florida does’t have too many waterfalls throughout the state that you can hike to, there is one easy hike that is worth mentioning. Falling Waters State Park is a 171-acres park located outside of Chipley. The hike to see the gigantic 73-foot waterfall in person is an easy one, just around 2 miles, with a short, simple trail system. Stop by the official website of Falling Waters State Park for more information. Falling Waters State Park Campground, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
- Little Talbot Island Hiking Trail
AllTrails Amy Garman While it might be one of the longer hikes that makes this list, it still is a simple and straightforward trail that gives you a ton to do and see along the way. This moderate loop is located near the Atlantic Beach, with a bevy of wildflowers to enjoy as you go. This loop trail is perfect for a day in nature, with a chance to enjoy the beach right after you finish. Find more information on the official website of Little Talbot Island State Park. Little Talbot Island State Park, 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
- Torreya State Park
Flickr johnandmary.F Torreya State Park in Bristol, Florida is a historic spot with beautiful trails throughout. While it oftentimes doesn’t feel like you’re hiking in Florida, the views once you make it to the bluff will be well worth it. Be warned: this is a 12.2 mile trail that is deemed a challenge for many, so if you’re a beginner, you might not want to tackle the entire loop on the first try. Note: Make sure to check with the state park before you visit, some of the trails were damaged by Hurricane Michael and still needed time before reopening to public. Stop by the official website of Torrreya State Park. Torreya State Park, 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
- Pine Island East Loop
AllTrails Odyssey America The Pine Island East Loop Trail clocks in at just over 3 miles roundtrip, and makes for an excellent nature hike on a cool day. Located near Orlando, Florida, you’ll be able to enjoy the nearby river with very minimal elevation gains. This is a very scenic, easy to follow trail for beginners. Access to the trail is limited though, to certain hours during the week. Here’s more on the Pine Island East Loop Trail on All Trails. Orlando, FL, USA
Have you embarked upon any of the best hikes in Florida on this list? Which ones do you think should have but didn’t? Share with us your experience in the comments section!
AllTrails E S
Ravine Gardens State Park is a true gem in Florida that many residents seem to overlook. Throughout this park, ancient ravines have been transformed into stunning tropical gardens, which become a beauty to see in person. Take the 2.6-mile hike and enjoy the relaxed walk through nature. Here’s the official website of Ravine Gardens State Park.
Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
TripAdvisor MichalOnTheRoad
Visitors tend to visit Alexander Springs in order to enjoy the warm natural pool or to journey down the 7-mile Juniper Run in a canoe. But there is also a unique opportunity to hike in this area, too! Hike through the various habitats, keeping an eye out for wildlife as you wind up back at the swimming hole to cool off. This serene forest trail is easy and full of history. Learn more about the Timucuan Trail.
Alexander Springs, FL 32702, USA
Flickr Siddharth Machado
Ahh, the Everglades. It’s easy to get lost in all this beautiful park has to offer, but when you visit for the opportunity to hike and enjoy nature, you’ll fall in love. The Anhinga Trail is a perfect place to start for beginners because it clocks in at just shy of a mile roundtrip. It’s a self-guided trail which winds through the swamp and sawgrass, giving you glimpses of herons, turtles, anhingas, alligators, and more! Find more on the Anhinga Trail.
Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
TripAdvisor advocon
While Florida does’t have too many waterfalls throughout the state that you can hike to, there is one easy hike that is worth mentioning. Falling Waters State Park is a 171-acres park located outside of Chipley. The hike to see the gigantic 73-foot waterfall in person is an easy one, just around 2 miles, with a short, simple trail system. Stop by the official website of Falling Waters State Park for more information.
Falling Waters State Park Campground, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
AllTrails Amy Garman
While it might be one of the longer hikes that makes this list, it still is a simple and straightforward trail that gives you a ton to do and see along the way. This moderate loop is located near the Atlantic Beach, with a bevy of wildflowers to enjoy as you go. This loop trail is perfect for a day in nature, with a chance to enjoy the beach right after you finish. Find more information on the official website of Little Talbot Island State Park.
Little Talbot Island State Park, 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
Flickr johnandmary.F
Torreya State Park in Bristol, Florida is a historic spot with beautiful trails throughout. While it oftentimes doesn’t feel like you’re hiking in Florida, the views once you make it to the bluff will be well worth it. Be warned: this is a 12.2 mile trail that is deemed a challenge for many, so if you’re a beginner, you might not want to tackle the entire loop on the first try. Note: Make sure to check with the state park before you visit, some of the trails were damaged by Hurricane Michael and still needed time before reopening to public. Stop by the official website of Torrreya State Park.
Torreya State Park, 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321, USA
AllTrails Odyssey America
The Pine Island East Loop Trail clocks in at just over 3 miles roundtrip, and makes for an excellent nature hike on a cool day. Located near Orlando, Florida, you’ll be able to enjoy the nearby river with very minimal elevation gains. This is a very scenic, easy to follow trail for beginners. Access to the trail is limited though, to certain hours during the week. Here’s more on the Pine Island East Loop Trail on All Trails.
Orlando, FL, USA
Need more amazing Sunshine State hiking trip ideas? Check out some of the best waterfall hikes in the state in this article. And if you’re wondering what to pack on a winter hike in Florida, check out this list!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Florida March 16, 2022 Tori Jane What are some great kid-friendly hikes around Florida? We here at Only In Your State will define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just easy but also less than two miles long; luckily for families with little ones, there are plenty of short-and-sweet trails to be had that are just as scenic and rewarding as the hardest ones. There are more than 1,000 trails that fit this description, and honestly, we love them all, but some of our favorites are definitely worth a mention! Hike the legendary Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park first, which is very short (0.8 miles long) and home to some of the most amazing things about Florida’s natural beauty. Then, hit Hillsborough River State Park and do the River Rapids Nature Trail, which is longer (1.4 miles) but just as easy and just as lovely. We also love hiking the Gumbo Limbo Trail, also at Everglades National Park, which is paved and leads hikers on a short half-mile stroll through the amazing rainforest. Florida is amazing; get out and explore ASAP. What are some of the best scenic hikes in Florida? Florida is one of those places that doesn’t even feel real sometimes. As a result, it’s naturally got some hikes and hiking trails that are out-of-this-world epic, and we are HERE for those! Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Florida include the awesome Withlacoochee State Forest Trail, which leads hikers through some of the world’s most unique geography (it’s also tragically underrated). A hike through Withlacoochee is like a hike through another world. Little Talbot Island is another amazing place with an amazing hike, which leads trekkers through five different ecosystems and some truly astonishing views. Be sure to add any of the trails in any of our state or national parks to your list, too, like hikes in Bulow Creek State Park (which is home to some of the oldest live oak trees in Florida) and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Want more ideas? Check out this article for some of THE best scenic hikes in Florida you’ll want to take again and again.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Florida
March 16, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some great kid-friendly hikes around Florida? We here at Only In Your State will define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just easy but also less than two miles long; luckily for families with little ones, there are plenty of short-and-sweet trails to be had that are just as scenic and rewarding as the hardest ones. There are more than 1,000 trails that fit this description, and honestly, we love them all, but some of our favorites are definitely worth a mention! Hike the legendary Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park first, which is very short (0.8 miles long) and home to some of the most amazing things about Florida’s natural beauty. Then, hit Hillsborough River State Park and do the River Rapids Nature Trail, which is longer (1.4 miles) but just as easy and just as lovely. We also love hiking the Gumbo Limbo Trail, also at Everglades National Park, which is paved and leads hikers on a short half-mile stroll through the amazing rainforest. Florida is amazing; get out and explore ASAP. What are some of the best scenic hikes in Florida? Florida is one of those places that doesn’t even feel real sometimes. As a result, it’s naturally got some hikes and hiking trails that are out-of-this-world epic, and we are HERE for those! Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Florida include the awesome Withlacoochee State Forest Trail, which leads hikers through some of the world’s most unique geography (it’s also tragically underrated). A hike through Withlacoochee is like a hike through another world. Little Talbot Island is another amazing place with an amazing hike, which leads trekkers through five different ecosystems and some truly astonishing views. Be sure to add any of the trails in any of our state or national parks to your list, too, like hikes in Bulow Creek State Park (which is home to some of the oldest live oak trees in Florida) and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Want more ideas? Check out this article for some of THE best scenic hikes in Florida you’ll want to take again and again.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We here at Only In Your State will define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just easy but also less than two miles long; luckily for families with little ones, there are plenty of short-and-sweet trails to be had that are just as scenic and rewarding as the hardest ones. There are more than 1,000 trails that fit this description, and honestly, we love them all, but some of our favorites are definitely worth a mention! Hike the legendary Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park first, which is very short (0.8 miles long) and home to some of the most amazing things about Florida’s natural beauty. Then, hit Hillsborough River State Park and do the River Rapids Nature Trail, which is longer (1.4 miles) but just as easy and just as lovely. We also love hiking the Gumbo Limbo Trail, also at Everglades National Park, which is paved and leads hikers on a short half-mile stroll through the amazing rainforest. Florida is amazing; get out and explore ASAP.
What are some of the best scenic hikes in Florida?
Florida is one of those places that doesn’t even feel real sometimes. As a result, it’s naturally got some hikes and hiking trails that are out-of-this-world epic, and we are HERE for those! Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Florida include the awesome Withlacoochee State Forest Trail, which leads hikers through some of the world’s most unique geography (it’s also tragically underrated). A hike through Withlacoochee is like a hike through another world. Little Talbot Island is another amazing place with an amazing hike, which leads trekkers through five different ecosystems and some truly astonishing views. Be sure to add any of the trails in any of our state or national parks to your list, too, like hikes in Bulow Creek State Park (which is home to some of the oldest live oak trees in Florida) and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Want more ideas? Check out this article for some of THE best scenic hikes in Florida you’ll want to take again and again.
