Walking Club
(904) 269-3586
This is a nonprofit organization
whose mission is to encourage
everyone, regardless of their
level of fitness, to get out,
exercise and have fun doing it.
Activities are open to everyone.
Jacksonville - Baldwin Rail Trail
The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail is a 14.5 mile trail corridor located approximately 1.5 miles north of
I-10, between Imeson Road and County Road 121.
Beginning in the northeast corner of the state, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail offers an excellent
introduction to Florida cycling, blending urban convenience with Old Florida scenery. Start hiking or
peddling the 14.5-mile paved trail at the Imeson Road Trailhead, just a few miles west of downtown
Jacksonville. The gently rolling pathway meanders through pine flatwoods, wetlands, and hardwood
canopies that provide both shade and seclusion. In addition to the flora and fauna – hawks, wild turkey
and deer, to name a few – the Jacksonville-Baldwin trail also traverses McGirts Creek, site of a
Confederate Civil War camp. Call the city of Jacksonville at 904-630-5400 for more information.
Washington Oaks State Gardens
6400 North Oceanshore Blvd.
Palm Coast, Florida 32173
This state park has .4- , .5- and 1.2-mile trails and a ranger-guided option on the Matanzas River side
that permit views of its ornamental gardens, which reach for 400 acres from the Atlantic Ocean to the
Matanzas River. At low tide, you can watch anemones, starfish and crabs doing their things in small
tidal pools. When you move inland, the dunes give way to huge live oaks, hickories and magnolias.
For more info call 386-446-6780
Caravelle Ranch Conservation Area
Six miles south of Palatka in Putnam County, bounded on the east by the St. Johns River and on the
south by the Ocklawaha River. The main entrance is on the east side of State Road (SR) 19, which
bisects the area, just south of the bridge over the Cross Florida Greenway; there is also a parking area
with walk-through two miles to the south. There is a boat ramp to the Ocklawaha River off SR 19, south
of the entrance. Seasonal hunting, fishing, canoeing and boating. Hiking, horseback riding, bicycling,
primitive camping at designated sites and wildlife viewing are available, but are restricted during hunt
dates.
St. Marys River State Forest has about 15 miles of trails in northeastern Nassau County, along the
St. Marys River and the Florida-Georgia border.
East of Jacksonville, straddling the Nassau-Duval County line, Cary State Forest has 18 miles of
marked forest trails. The best time to see some of the forest's wildlife (deer and raccoons to wild hogs
and, occasionally, a black bear) is near sunrise or sunset. Click here for Map
Big Talbot Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32226
The park has bluffs carved by erosion, a do-it-yourself trail along 11 miles of primitive beach and five
other marked trails through dunes, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and prairies.
Little Talbot Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Take I–95 to Heckscher Drive (Milepost Exit 358A – Old Exit 124A) and then travel east for 17 miles.
Little Talbot Island State Park is a bird metropolis and has some five miles of beaches and a 4.1-mile
hiking trail.
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Fort George Island Cultural State Park lies approximately 16 miles east of downtown Jacksonville on S.
R. A1A, or three miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park. It offers a 4.4-mile trail through shell
mounds to the summit of Mount Cornelia, 65 feet above sea level.
Jennings State Forest
The North Fork Black Creek Trail is a 5 mile loop trail that offers a variety of ecosystems for the hiker to
explore. Canoeing is available on North Fork and Black Creeks with several landings along the
waterways. The Fire and Water Nature Trail is an informative 1.7 mile trail which will give you an insight
into how fire and water effect the various forest communities as well as explain our restoration efforts on
the forest. Jennings State Forest is open to regulated hunting and fishing under the direction of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We encourage non-hunting recreationists to check
the Wildlife Management Area regulations and season dates before visiting Jennings State Forest.
Welaka State Forest 904-467-2388 (P.O. Box 174, Welaka FL 32193-0174), has several trails that
weave through a mosaic of wetlands, hammocks, flatwoods, sandhills and bayheads. Trails can be
tackled individually (.6 miles to 4 miles) or combined for 12 miles of hiking
Guana River State Park
2690 South Ponte Vedra Blvd.,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
The park has approximately 8.5 miles of unpaved but hard-packed trails.
The Bayard Point Conservation Area, located on the St. Johns River just east of Green Cove
Springs, has 18 miles of trails along the river and inland.
The Ravine Trail at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
6239 State Road. 21
Keystone Heights, Florida 32656
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is located about halfway between Gainesville and
Jacksonville, on Florida’s "Central Ridge." The rolling sand hills are dotted with springs that feed other
springs. Four marked trails vary in duration from 10 minutes to two hours. This is one of the best places
in the state to experience a full moon hike. There are four marked trails that total about 1 mile one-way.
They pass sandhills, a steep ravine, springs, lush vegetation and an old mill. The park also has a 3.2-
mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Call 352-473-4701 for more info.
The Juniper Run Nature Trail in Ocala National Forest, although just 1.5 miles in length, may
be considered the greenest hike in Florida. The trail, linking Juniper and Fern Springs, takes about an
hour. But the highlight of this walk is soaking in the 72-degree water, refreshing in any season, when
you are done.
Suwannee River Wilderness Trail
This site has tons of information about activities at many state parks, towns, and recreation areas along
the Suwannee River - Check it out!
