Best Hiking & Nature Trails near me in Orlando, FL
Looking for hiking and nature trails near Orlando? Wekiwa Springs State Park pairs trails with a clear 72-degree spring, Tosohatchee and Charles H. Bronson State Forest offer long backcountry miles in east Orange County, and Tibet-Butler Preserve is a quiet, easy nature walk in Dr. Phillips.
20 picks ยท Updated October 2026
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- 1
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Park in Apopka, $
Hiking trails plus a spring that stays about 72 degrees all year, so you can swim or rent a canoe after your hike. Day-use visits require a reservation.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- 2
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area
Trail in Christmas (east Orange County), Orlando
More than 60 miles of trails, including a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail and a spur to an old-growth bald cypress stand in James Creek Swamp. Check hunt dates before visiting.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- 3
Charles H. Bronson State Forest
Trail in Christmas (east Orange County), Orlando
A roughly 40-mile network of trails and dirt roads with more than 7 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Watch for swallow-tailed kites, sandhill cranes and bald eagles, and check hunt dates first.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- 4
Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park
Trail in East Orange County, Orlando
About 5,300 acres along the Econlockhatchee River with miles of natural-surface trails and primitive camping. Bald eagles, gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers live here.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- 5
Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area
Trail in Lake Nona, Orlando
A roughly 2,460-acre forest and wetland area reached on foot by a trail from Moss Park. Its web of natural trails makes it a quieter option for hikers.
- Hiking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- Wildlife
- 6
Orlando Wetlands
Park in Christmas (east Orange County), Orlando
More than 18 miles of marsh trails through a man-made wetland that ranks among the region's top birding sites. Entry and weekend tram tours are free.
- Hiking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 7
Tibet-Butler Preserve
Park in Dr. Phillips, Orlando
A 438-acre county preserve in Dr. Phillips with nature trails, a butterfly garden and the Vera Carter Environmental Center. Pets and bikes are not allowed, which keeps it quiet.
- Hiking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 8
Oakland Nature Preserve
Park in Oakland
A long boardwalk through wetlands out to Lake Apopka, plus wooded upland trails and a small education center that runs guided kayak outings and nature programs.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- 9
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Park in Apopka
Known for its 11-mile one-way wildlife drive, the Lake Apopka marshes are also listed for hiking, with stops for birding and wildlife viewing. Plan one to three hours.
- Hiking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 10
Mead Botanical Garden
Park in Winter Park
Free wooded trails and a boardwalk over wetlands in Winter Park, with a creek and pond that draw wading birds and turtles. A good short hike close to town.
- Hiking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 11
Pine Lily Preserve
Trail in East Orange County, Orlando
A 424-acre county preserve named for the pine lily, with more than 2 miles of foot trails past cypress domes and a connector south into Hal Scott for longer hikes.
- Hiking
- Unpaved trail
- Wildlife
- Birding
- 12
Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve
Trail in Christmas (east Orange County), Orlando
An 890-acre rural preserve near Christmas where sandhill cranes nest. Trails cross swamp, marsh, hammock and pasture and can flood after rain, and there are no restrooms.
- Hiking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- Wildlife
- 13
Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area
Trail in East Orange County, Orlando
A trail of almost three miles from dry sandhills through pine flatwoods and swamp to the Econ River, with frequent deer, turkey and gopher tortoise sightings.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Unpaved trail
- Equestrian
- 14
Ken Bosserman Econlockhatchee River Preserve
Trail in East Orange County, Orlando
A newer county preserve with a one-mile blue-blazed trail and two side loops through shady forest, open fields and cypress wetlands to river overlooks.
- Hiking
- Unpaved trail
- Shaded
- Nature
- 15
Hidden Pond Preserve
Trail in East Orange County, Orlando
A 112-acre county preserve with marked trails of varying difficulty through pine flatwoods and swamp, plus picnic spots. Leashed dogs are welcome.
- Hiking
- Unpaved trail
- Dog friendly
- Wildlife
- 16
Johns Lake Conservation Area
Trail in Winter Garden
A short trail west of Winter Garden that leads to the Johns Lake shoreline and the county's first bird blind, with a fishing pier and paddle launch.
- Hiking
- Walking
- Lake views
- Birding
- 17
Kelly Park / Rock Springs
Park in Apopka, $
Best known for tubing the Rock Springs run, Kelly Park also has nature and equestrian trails. Tickets are sold online only with a daily cap, and pets are not allowed.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- 18
Moss Park
Park in Lake Nona, Orlando, $
A southeast Orlando county park with nature trails, camping and paddling access, and the starting point for the trail into Split Oak Forest. Entry is $5 per vehicle, and pets are not permitted.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- 19
Lake Druid Park
Trail in Baldwin Park, Orlando
A small city park near Audubon Park with dirt hiking and jogging trails shared with mountain bikers, plus a fenced dog run.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Running
- Unpaved trail
- 20
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Park in Dr. Phillips, Orlando, $
A Dr. Phillips city park on Turkey Lake with hiking trails, birding and lake views, plus camping and a fishing pier. Entry is $5 per car.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
Choosing a hike near Orlando
Match the trail to the time you have. For a full day, head to the big east Orange County lands: Tosohatchee, Charles H. Bronson State Forest and Hal Scott each have many miles of trail, and Tosohatchee and Bronson carry sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Split Oak Forest, reached from Moss Park, is a good half-day. For a short nature walk close to town, try Tibet-Butler Preserve, Mead Botanical Garden or Oakland Nature Preserve's boardwalk to Lake Apopka. Wekiwa Springs is the pick if you want to hike and then swim, but day-use visits need a reservation.
When to hike and what to bring
Fall through spring is the most comfortable hiking season in Central Florida. In summer, start at sunrise and finish before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray and a hat, since many trails cross open flatwoods with little shade. Wear shoes that can get wet: trails at Savage/Christmas Creek can flood after rain, and sections near the Econlockhatchee River at Ken Bosserman can be wet after heavy rain. Some preserves have no restrooms, including Savage/Christmas Creek, so plan ahead. Download a trail map before you lose cell signal in the rural east county.
Wildlife, hunting seasons and rules
Orange County's preserves are some of the best places in the region to see wildlife. Look for sandhill cranes at Savage/Christmas Creek, bald eagles and gopher tortoises at Hal Scott, and wading birds at Orlando Wetlands and the Lake Apopka marshes. Give alligators plenty of space near water. Charles H. Bronson State Forest and Tosohatchee are hunting areas, so check hunt dates before you visit. Pets are not allowed at Tibet-Butler, Kelly Park or Moss Park, and bikes are not allowed at Tibet-Butler. Hidden Pond Preserve welcomes leashed dogs.
About this list
Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.
This page covers 20 hiking and nature trails in Orlando. You'll find them in East Orange County, Christmas (east Orange County), Lake Nona and Dr. Phillips, spread across Orlando, Apopka, Oakland and Winter Park.
Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $ range.
What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Wildlife viewing, Fishing, Nature trails, Butterfly garden and Free entry.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best hiking trails near Orlando?
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area and Charles H. Bronson State Forest in east Orange County have the most miles, including sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Wekiwa Springs State Park combines trails with a spring, and Hal Scott Regional Preserve follows the Econlockhatchee River.
Is the Florida Trail near Orlando?
Yes. Sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail run through Charles H. Bronson State Forest, which has more than 7 miles of it, and Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, which also offers backcountry camping along its section.
What is a good easy hike in Orlando?
Tibet-Butler Preserve in Dr. Phillips has easy nature trails and an environmental center. Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park has shaded trails and a boardwalk, and Ken Bosserman Econlockhatchee River Preserve has a one-mile main trail with two short side loops.
Where can I see wildlife on a hike near Orlando?
Orlando Wetlands is one of the region's top birding sites, and the Lake Apopka marshes are known for birding and wildlife viewing. Sandhill cranes nest at Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve, and Hal Scott is home to bald eagles, gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Do I need a reservation to hike at Wekiwa Springs?
Day-use visits to Wekiwa Springs State Park require a reservation, and entry is $6 per vehicle. The park opens at 8am and closes at sunset daily.
More lists for Orlando
Best Things to Do 25 places Wekiwa Springs State Park, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and Scenic Boat Tour
Free Things to Do 25 places Lake Eola Park, Orlando Wetlands and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Rainy Day Activities 25 places Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orlando Museum of Art and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Things to Do with Kids 25 places Magic Kingdom Park, Orlando Science Center and Gatorland
Date Ideas 25 places Lake Eola Park, Scenic Boat Tour and Enzian Theater
Outdoor Activities 25 places Wekiwa Springs State Park, Kelly Park / Rock Springs and Scenic Boat Tour
Nightlife 25 places Will's Pub, The Plaza Live and Sunroom
Best Bars 25 places The Courtesy Bar, Sunroom and Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden
Best Breweries 19 places Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co., Tactical Brewing Co. and Sideward Brewing
Live Music 25 places The Plaza Live, Will's Pub and The Beacham
Best Museums 16 places Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orlando Museum of Art and Orange County Regional History Center
Best Parks, Gardens & Springs 25 places Wekiwa Springs State Park, Kelly Park / Rock Springs and Lake Eola Park
Theme Parks & Water Parks 13 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Best Water Parks 5 places Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove
Family Day Out Ideas 25 places Orlando Science Center, Gatorland and Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Things to Do on International Drive 22 places ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove
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