Do not let this tropical climate and extraordinary weather go to waste. Get outside and enjoy nature by taking a hike.
With countless hiking trails in South Florida, opportunities for an outdoor adventure might be right around the corner. Florida is not just beaches, palm trees, and sand, but also a destination for a tropical outdoor experience. Here are some parks that are renowned for their hiking trails.
Vista View Park
4001 SW 142nd Ave., Davie
Open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This park is located in Davie and overlooks a number of ponds and canals. Admission is only charged on weekends and holidays, $1.50 per person or an $8 maximum charge for six to eight people. The park covers 272 acres of land with a variety of amenities. A paved pathway runs around the park. There is also a half mile fitness loop with fitness stations periodically along the trail and a horseback riding trail that loops about 2.1 miles and connects to other horse trails in Davie. On the west side of the hill, there’s a lake surrounded by a neighborhood. There are also benches that make a premier spot for viewing the infamous South Florida sunsets. On the northeast side of Vista View, there are three ponds and areas for children, and on the south side of the park, there’s a fishing pond. Trails snake the hill Vista View is centered on, so many hikers, bikers, runners and people looking for an elevated hike go here to get outdoors.
Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336, Homestead
Open 24/7
This trail in the Everglades is about a mile loop and is considered an easy hike. The park’s entrance fee is $10, but that gives visitors access to the park for a week. The Visitor Center has a boardwalk with platforms that give visitors a chance to see wildlife, such as turtles, anhingas (crane-like birds), herons, egrets and many other birds ― and maybe even an alligator. After walking the boardwalk, follow the paved path along Taylor Slough, one of the few waterways in this portion of the park that retains water year-round. Along the walk is an observation deck with a view over the marsh. Be careful, though. On the hike back, alligators hang out on the tiny islands around the path. Close to the end of the hike, the sawgrass prairies can be viewed to the right before the paved exit.
John Pennekamp State Park
102601 Overseas Highway (MM 102.5), Key Largo
Open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park is slightly off the beaten path and costs $8 per 2 to 8 people. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park covers roughly 70 square miles, but the museum at the park is an essential part of the park visit. The museum, also known as their Visitor Center, shows the area’s history and aquatic wildlife in the area. The Visitor Center has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, and nature videos can be viewed in its theater. Once deeper into the park, there are hiking trails into the mangroves. The park provides a wide variety of tropical vegetation, like hardwood hammock trees and tropical fruit trees, as well as locally recognized animals. Watch out for mosquitos, as this is their natural habit. The mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks offer visitors a unique and interesting experience. John Pennekamp Park is also well-known for its marine life and exquisite coral reefs that you can explore. The park offers not only hiking, but also boat and paddleboard rentals, guided glass bottom boat tours and camping.
Silver Springs State Park
1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala
Open every day at 8 a.m.
Silver Springs State Park has a general $8 admission fee per 2 to 8 people. The park has over 15 miles of biking and hiking trails leading through wetland and swamp areas. The trails provide a view of oak hammock and pine tree forests. Simply by walking trails, visitors get a glimpse of the wide variety of ecosystems that Central Florida offers. Silver Springs is a premier location for bird watching, so keep a look out for wild turkey, bobwhite quail, hairy woodpecker, American kestrel and so much more. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is located at the camp’s entrance. The center is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while admission to the museum is $2 per person. Children under 6 are free.
Arch Creek Park
1855 NE 135th St., North Miami
Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It’s free, it’s close, and it’s easy. Arch Creek Park has no entry or parking fees, is 31 minutes away and has linear and loop hiking trails that are considered easy by floridahikes.com. Natural trails snake through the darker forest of Arch Creek. While on the trails, look out for the plant identifiers; this identification system is an engaging way to learn about the tropical wildlife in South Florida. The park got its name from a natural arch in the trees known as the “Gateway to Miami.” Sadly, the arch collapsed decades ago, but a limestone canyon is still a sight worth seeing. The park has a museum that details the long history of the archeological and geological site on which it sits. Also in the museum, there’s a self-guiding trail map with interpretive information, and you can go on guided walks, ghost tours and historic walks. Reservations are required for guided walks and tours.
In college, it may be easy to get caught up in the studies and stresses of school. A simple way to escape is to take a hike in the natural wonders of South Florida. Some are easy, some are hard, some are free and some are not, but any way you look at it, hiking trails in such a tropical environment are worth experiencing.
