Putnam County’s State Parks and Forests are home to an abundance of excellent hiking amidst a wide variety of flora and fauna. This roundup includes five locations with enjoyable trails for all ages and abilities.
Dunn’s Creek State Park
Located between the St. Johns River and and Crescent Lake, the park has two mixed-use trail blocks. Piney Bluff Trails include three marked trails that begin at the park’s event field. The terrain covers sandhills, flat woods, and more with shade cover in certain areas and sunny patches in others. Blue Pond Trail is comprised of a two-mile yellow trail with a red-marked spur, which is mostly flat and sunny. Hikers may encounter horseback riders or cyclists on the trails.
Ravine Gardens State Park
Azalea Trail provides an interesting 2.5-mile shaded hike through the ravine systems that give the park its name, across suspension bridges, and up and down stairs. During Azalea season (January-March), hikers will be surrounded by the plants’ colorful blooms that give the trail its name. Main Park Drive Loop, a shorter and easier, but still lovely, walk offers views of the ravines from above while winding down to the bottom of the ravine system.
Welaka State Forest
Along the east bank of the St. Johns River, the forest houses two hiking trails. Mud Spring Trail is a two-mile loop beginning across from forest headquarters and leading to Mud Spring, which runs into the St. Johns River. The John’s Landing Trail gives hikers a 3 mile or 4.5 mile option to the St. Johns River. Hikers can enjoy a lovely picnic area and observing local wildlife.
Ocala National Forest
At about 383,000 acres, the largest national forest in Florida delivers a multitude of trails. On the shorter side, Salt Springs Observation Trail is an easy 1.9 mile hike to a river overlook area, especially good for birdwatching. Much of the trail is shaded and beautiful, but hikers should be prepared for bugs and cobwebs. Those seeking a slightly more adventurous option may enjoy Juniper Springs Recreation Area Trail. It covers 11.5 miles of the more undisturbed areas of the recreation area and is known to be shady with a variety of deciduous and palm trees. The many trails in the forest make it a perfect place for backpacking and extended hiking.
Carl Duval Moore State Forest and Park
In the central portion of the county, this smaller forest includes Up and Down Lake Trail. The well-marked1.2-mile trail winds through sandhills and mesic flat woods along with two areas to view Up and Down Lake. Hikers may spot bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and otters, among other wildlife.
The list above is only a small sampling of the myriad trails available to hikers in Putnam County. For more information on getting outdoors in Putnam County, see our blog post “Activities in Putnam County” . For property we have for sale in Putnam County, visit https://e24land.com/#home.
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