Florida is a fantastic place to hike with its quiet forests, thriving plants and wildlife, white sandy beaches, and abundant sunshine. I especially love hiking early in the day when the trails are peaceful and my energy is high. The temperatures and humidity also tend to be lower this time of day, making the sun and heat a bit more manageable. Sawgrass Lake Park in Lealman, Florida, is a great place to hike and lets visitors enjoy much of what is unique about Florida. The Sawgrass Lake Park Trail takes hikers along lush vegetation, with water views and plenty of opportunities to enjoy wildlife.

The Sawgrass Lake Park Trail is a 1.9-mile hike that's fairly flat. The entire trail only gains nine feet in elevation. The trail is considered easy and open year-round to hikers. Dogs are not allowed. It starts at the John A. Anderson Environmental Education Center, where visitors can learn about the area. The trail continues north and forms a loop before returning south. Then, it takes hikers west to Sawgrass Lake. Portions of the trail are wooded boardwalks, elevating hikers above the ground.

The trail offers fantastic opportunities to view wildlife. Hikers have seen ducks, birds, lizards, armadillos, and turtles. Some have also seen alligators, and the trail has signs reminding hikers not to feed or disturb them. Observation decks along the trail let hikers observe the wildlife below from a distance. In the spring and fall, many birds migrate through the park, making it an excellent place for birdwatching.

This hike is located in Sawgrass Lake Park, a 400-acre park managed by the Pinellas County parks system. The park protects one of the most extensive maple swamps in the Gulf Coast region. Maple swamps are wetland areas in which maple trees make up the majority of the tree canopy. The thriving maple swamp supports the growth of many animal species, creating the varied wildlife in the park. The park is open year-round except for two holidays: the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In addition to the hiking trails, the park has restrooms, a picnic shelter area, and grills for visitors to use.

For more information, visit the Sawgrass Lake Park website and the Sawgrass Lake Park Trail listing on AllTrails.

Have you visited Sawgrass Lake Park? Where is your favorite place to view wildlife in Florida?

The St. Petersburg and Pinellas County areas of Florida have much to offer, including Sunken Gardens, a lush and immaculately maintained botanical garden. The area also has fantastic restaurants, including Spinners Rooftop Grille, a seafood restaurant with 360-degree views of the Gulf.

To prepare for your next hike, check out our ultimate hiking packing list. The list includes backpacks, water bottles, shoes, and more.