11 Best Hikes In Florida

Florida, the land of mangroves, gators, and beach resorts may not be the first place you think of when it comes to mindblowing hiking trails. But as you’ll see, the Sunshine State has a surprising number of unique spots you can access by foot that will show you a whole different side of Florida. From the world-famous Everglades National Park to the obscure Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Florida’s hikes will take you through forests, atop sandy dunes, deep into sinkholes, and along ocean coastlines. So don’t hesitate to get your feet wet (literally and figuratively) with these 11 hikes in Florida!

Shark Valley Tram Trail, Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the most well-known park in Florida and an internationally recognized and protected area and this recognition is well deserved. With 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness containing mangroves, marshes, forests, and marine habitats, this park is not only stunningly beautiful, but it is an important safe haven for many iconic imperiled species like the American Crocodile, Florida Panther, and West Indian Manatee. There are a multitude of land and water trails that are worth exploring to really appreciate the diversity of landscapes and wildlife in the park. A great place to start is Shark Valley, in the heart of the “true Everglades” exemplifying the endless “rivers of grass,” the park was named for. The Shark Valley tram trail is a 15-mile loop that can be hiked, biked, or traversed on a tram tour where you’re almost guaranteed to spot crocodiles, turtles, and a variety of bird life including egrets and ibises!  

Bulow Woods Trail, Bulow Creek State Park 

Tree-huggers will jump at the chance to see the largest remaining stands of southern live oak in Florida at Bulow Creek State Park. These unique trees are emblematic of the south, with their moss-draped branches sweeping down to the ground before turning skyward, creating trees with shapes as unique as snowflakes. Start your hike on the Bulow Woods Trail by paying tribute to the venerable Fairchild Tree, a ~500-year-old southern live oak. You’ll then pass through peaceful old-growth forests, salt marshes, and oak hammocks, sharing the trail with deer, bobcats, and pileated woodpeckers. Finally, you’ll reach the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic Park where you can learn about the fraught history of sugar plantations in East Florida and see the ruins that remain after the Seminole War in 1836.    

Dune Ridge Trail, Little Talbot Island State Park

As one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida, Little Talbot Island is a must-visit for those looking to experience Florida’s ancient dunes and unspoiled natural beaches. With undulating sand dunes taking you through live oak, palm, and pine forests before hitting the open coastline, the Dune Ridge Trail isn’t your average walk on the beach. This 4-mile loop trail hosts a plethora of fascinating flora and fauna from air plants growing from the trees to gopher tortoises meandering through the sand. While this island park is only 30 minutes east of Jacksonville, you’ll feel like you’re a world away.  

Florida National Scenic Trail, Ocala National Forest

The Florida Trail should be on every backpacker’s bucket list as the nation's only subtropical National Scenic Trail. The full trail runs for 1,300 miles through coastal beaches, cypress swamps, and hardwood hammocks, to name just a few ecosystems you’ll encounter on your travels. However, if you don’t have several months to hike the entire trail, there are plenty of worthwhile sections to complete in shorter time frames. The Ocala National Forest section is considered the heart of the Florida Trail and thus is particularly popular among backpackers. Hikers on this trail will experience a microcosm of the full Florida Trail’s ecosystem diversity in about a week over a ~70-mile section. Be sure your itinerary includes a dip in the crystalline waters of Alexander Springs to refresh after all that muggy Florida hiking. 

Golden-Orb Trail, Long Key State Park

The small islands that make up the Florida Keys are highly developed and populated, so you might not expect to find any hiking trails here. However, there are a few hidden gems where you can explore the remaining natural areas in the keys. Long Key State Park is a favorite for nature lovers, where you can observe epic wildlife underwater, in the air, and on the trails! Although the Golden Orb Trail is named after the golden silk orb-weaver spider that was once plentiful in the area, arachnophobes need not fear. Sadly, Hurricane Irma wiped out much of the spider population and many other animal species in the park. However, restoration efforts are ongoing, and many species remain and are on the path to recovery. Walking through the hardwood hummocks you might see threatened White-crowned pigeons feasting on poisonwood berries, while in the mangrove swamps, you might hear the harsh and jarring song of the Mangrove Cuckoo. Come enjoy these unique experiences while supporting the recovery of this state park!

Boardwalk Trail, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

While coastal California may boast the Redwoods, don’t miss a trip to see their lesser-known relatives, the Cypress trees in the swampy Florida lowlands. These giants can reach heights of 130 feet and girths of 25 feet. Most interestingly, the main trunks are surrounded by woody projections called “cypress knees”, the purpose of which is still unknown to scientists, but is quite a unique sight to see. The Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is one of the best places to have an immersive experience of the cypress swamp, boasting the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. The 2.25-mile boardwalk provides an easily accessible path winding through giant trees decorated with hanging mosses and air plants. Take your time walking past the numerous wetlands and you may catch a glimpse of the instantly recognizable Roseate Spoonbill, whose pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill make it a stunning sight. 

Hobe Mountain, Jonathan Dickinson State Park

When you think of mountains, Florida is probably the last place that comes to mind. And at a mere 86 feet above sea level, Hobe Mountain may seem more of a hill to folks coming from mountainous regions. But this mountain, part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge of sand dunes, is the highest viewpoint you’ll get in southern Florida, as it is the highest point south of Lake Okeechobee. A quick ten-minute hike up the mountain will take you through the imperiled Sand Pine Scrub habitat, where you may encounter several species like the Florida Scrub Jay and the Florida Scrub Lizard whose survival depends on this habitat. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the surrounding forest, wetlands, and ocean. Plus with such a short “mountain hike” you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a picnic before heading back down.  

Garden Of Eden Trail, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravine Preserves

The Garden of Eden is a fitting name for this trail full of earthly wonders like steephead ravines, ancient sand formations, and prehistoric evergreens. Located in the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravine Preserves in the Florida panhandle, and protected by The Nature Conservancy, this 3.75-mile trail is a real hidden gem. Past the quaint woodlands with blooming mountain azaleas and babbling brooks, you’ll find sandhill ecosystems formed millions of years ago in the Mesozoic Era. And after a tough scramble up to Alum Bluff, 135 feet above the Apalachicola River, you’ll be graced with gorgeous views of the river and surrounding floodplains. 

Sinkhole Trail, Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

Forget hiking up to a mountain peak, and consider descending down into the depths of a sinkhole. At Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, your work is cut out for you with a 132-step staircase down into the depths of a 120-foot cavity. In addition to the half-mile loop around the sinkhole rim, this stair-heavy trail can give you quite the workout, so you’ll appreciate the cool, fresh air created in this shaded hole in the ground. Although much of the side walls of the sinkhole are covered in lush green vegetation, areas of exposed rock will show layer upon layer of colorful geological history. Keep your eyes peeled for other historical tidbits, and if you’re lucky you might find fossilized remains of sharks and long-extinct animals.

Juniper Creek Trail, Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park offers some quirky traits for hikers that enjoy the weird and mystifying aspects of nature. From its sometimes black, sometimes brown-gold water, to its abundance of carnivorous plants, this park seems like something out of a Tim Burton movie. Considered one of the most beautiful parts of the 1,500-mile Florida Trail, the Juniper Creek Trail is a 7-mile hike in the park that will take you through sand-scattered pine forests, up over red-rock bluffs, and through Titi swamps. You’ll need your waterproof boots for this one, to avoid soaking your feet while walking through this ever-wet landscape.

Big Shoals Trail, Big Shoals State Park

Few natural features better demonstrate mother nature’s awesome power than rushing whitewater rapids and falls. Laying claim to Florida’s largest whitewater rapids, Big Shoals State Park embodies this powerful energy. Although whitewater rafters may be the main users at this park, everyone can enjoy the spectacle of the rushing whitewater. For the best overhead views, try Big Shoals Trail. This wooded trail runs alongside the Suwannee River and up onto 80-foot limestone bluffs where you can get a birds-eye view of the raging waters below. Bring your friends and a picnic to the 40-person pavilion to fuel up after a day of rafting or hiking!

Takeaway

While it’s not your stereotypical hiking mecca of mountaintop vistas, Florida has a whole other unique hiking experience to offer. With amazing birding sites, tree species found almost nowhere else, and iconic animals like the American Crocodile and West Indian Manatee, the muddy boots and muggy weather will be well worth it for any nature-loving hiker. Whether you want a casual stroll on a boardwalk through a cypress swamp or to tackle a weeklong trek through the nation's only subtropical National Scenic Trail, these 11 Florida hikes will give you some great ideas to start planning your Sunshine State hiking adventures!