12 Scenic Trails To Explore In Florida, One For Each Month Of The Year
As you kick off this new year in Florida, you might start taking inventory of your resolutions, or at the very least your goals for the upcoming 12 months. One of your goals may be to get outside more, or perhaps it’s to explore different parts of nature within your home state that you haven’t yet gotten to explore. If this is the case, we recommend checking out these 12 scenic hiking trails in Florida, one for each month of the year. Even if you’re busy and your calendar is already chock full of things to do this year, we hope you can at least carve out one day a month for these delightful trails.
We’ll start this one off with an easy hike, perhaps one that the whole family can enjoy together! This easy one-mile hike at Falling Waters State Park is great for all skill levels and even has a surprise along the way - the tallest waterfall in the entire state! Talk about the perfect way to kick off this year-long adventure.
Read more about this scenic trail in Florida in our previous article.
Next up for the month of February, we’ll be tackling the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail. This trail clocks in at 14.5 miles, and while you don’t need to tackle the entire thing in one shot, you can still hike a chunk of it and get the experience. Once a part of the CSX railway line, come enjoy a little slice of history. Don't forget your camera!
Take a peek at the scenic beauty that awaits along this unique rail trail in Florida.
Now that February is behind us, it’s time to find a trail that offers the chance to take a dip. The trail in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park will take hikers through the maritime hammock, past streams and bogs, and end up at a stunning hidden beach. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Read more about this breathtaking hiking trail in Florida in our previous article.
When the weather starts picking up in April, it’s time to head to Sanford for the Black Bear Wilderness Trail. This 7.1-mile loop offers a ton of wildlife throughout, not just the namesake black bear. Come hike through forests, marshes, and canals along this beautiful trail.
Plan your journey along this scenic trail in Florida.
Savage Christmas Creek Preserve in Florida is over a thousand acres of pure natural wonderland. For May when the sun is shining and wildflowers are in bloom, this trail is absolute heaven. At just 1.5-miles in length, this short and sweet loop is exactly what you would hope for.
Read more about this beautiful hiking trail in Florida.
During the summer, one of the most coveted places to be is Rainbow Springs State Park. Hiking the Rainbow Springs Trail allows guests to enjoy a two mile out-and-back hike, plus a chance to see one of the most beautiful natural springs in the area.
Find out why Rainbow Springs Trail is one of the best hikes in Florida.
Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the state, and it's home to some of the best Florida hiking trails. But what really makes this historic natural gem shine is the giant canopy walk trail tucked-away inside. Walk the Myakka Canopy Walkway and see all of the best this park has to offer from high above the treetops. Did we mention this was the first public treetop trail in North America?
Read more bout this treetop trail in Florida.
The Juniper Springs Trail, one of the most beautiful Florida hikes, is perfect for August because while the temps will be high, this hike is short and sweet and will take you to an incredible spring. This trail is less than a mile in length and offers a trek through a dense subtropical forest landscape.
Get a glimpse at the sheer natural beauty that awaits along one of the best hiking trails in Florida.
Just 30 minutes east of Naples, Florida sits Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 13,000 acres of pure natural space. Hiking the 2.25-mile boardwalk trail is a true highlight of visiting this sanctuary. Wander your way through the gigantic, old-growth Cypress trees along this scenic hiking trail in Florida.
Learn more about this one-of-a-kind hiking trail in Florida.
Because it’s October, we might as well tackle a hiking trail with a little bit of fright, right? The Yearling Trail in Florida is located in Fort McCoy and has been a historic trail since the 1930s, thanks to writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. This hike will take you past homestead sites, pockets of nature, and even to an old family cemetery! Are you up for a bit of a scare? You'll love this Florida hike!
Read more about this scenic hiking trail in Pennsylvania.
The second-to-last trail of the year will give hikers an epic slice of history thanks to the gargantuan fire tower. The Richloam Fire Tower Trailhead in Webster has been voted one of the best trailheads in Florida due to its unique features and incredible views. While there once was a time where hikers could climb atop the fire tower at their own risk, this has since been shut down. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a coveted hike nonetheless. Make sure you bring your camera along.
Take a peek at the natural beauty that awaits on one of the best hiking trails in Florida.
Let’s end the year with a bang, right? In December, hike the Pine Island Trail through Blue Spring State Park for a five-mile trek through the wilderness. Walk under the pine canopies until you reach the spring, which during the winter months might just be home to a few hibernating manatees.
Read more about this trail in Florida that's the perfect way to end your year.
So, what do you think of these 12 scenic hiking trails in Florida? Have you already hiked any of them? Make sure to shout them out in the comments section! Or if you have more trails that you think we should check out, make sure to let us know, too!
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Address: Falling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
Address: Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, 1800 Imeson Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32220, USA
Address: Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233, USA
Address: Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead, 5298 Michigan Ave, Sanford, FL 32771, USA
Address: Savage Christmas Creek Preserve, NW Christmas Rd, Christmas, FL 32709, USA
Address: Rainbow Springs Loop, Groveland, FL 34736, USA
Address: Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA
Address: Juniper Springs, Florida, USA
Address: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk, Corkscrew, FL 34120, USA
Address: Yearling Trail, FL-19, Fort McCoy, FL 32134, USA
Address: Florida Trail Richloam Fire Tower Trailhead, 38294 Richloam Clay Sink Rd, Webster, FL 33597, USA
Address: Pine Island, Florida, USA
Best Hikes In Florida
January 03, 2023
What are the best hikes in Florida?
The many hiking trails in Florida allow us to explore all corners of the state. Whether you’re looking for an easy journey or a challenging trek, you’re sure to find it along one of the best hikes in Florida, including:
- Bring a picnic along for your journey along the Ancient Dunes Trail.
- Breathe in the sweet scent of citrus on the Crooked River Preserve Trail.
- Step into a fairy tale on the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary Trail.
- Marvel at a Florida waterfall on the Sinkhole Trail.
You’ll find quite a few easy hiking trails in Florida that tally less than three miles long.
What are the best hikes in Florida for beginners?
Hiking is an ideal way to get to know Florida’s natural beauty. If you’re a newbie, you’ll find a slew of easy hikes in Florida. Here are the best hikes in Florida for beginners:
- Get a glimpse of Florida wildlife on the short but sweet one-mile Anhinga Trail in the Everglades.
- Pine Island East Loop Trail, at three miles, is a scenic trail in Florida.
- Explore Torreya State Park on one of its picturesque hiking trails.
- Stop to smell the wildflowers along the Little Talbot Island Hiking Trail in Florida.
- Marvel at a 73-foot waterfall on the Falling Waters Sinkhole Trail in Florida.
This is just a glimpse of some of the best hiking trails in Florida for beginners.
