Centered on the St. Johns River, Seminole Ranch Conservation Area protects almost 30,000 acres of land across three counties. In its southwestern corner, the property hosts a 4.5 mile segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail, picking up from Tosohatchee WMA to the south, and continuing northbound into Charles Bronson State Forest. As the elevation slowly drops while approaching the vast river floodplain, pine flatwood communities give way to oak hammocks and unique forests of cabbage palms that are often flooded in the rainy season.

Years ago, the Florida Trail ventured through adjacent Orlando Wetlands along a route that is kept in good condition and now blazed with white paint. A spectacularly scenic 5.5 mile loop hike can be undertaken using this trail in combination with the Florida Trail and a pair of blue blazed connectors.

Starting at the Seminole Ranch trailhead across from the busy Orlando Wetlands parking lot, head across the street and follow a concrete sidewalk past the visitor center, continuing down an access road towards a large wooden boardwalk. This famous wooden walkway spans shallow waters, passing a cypress dome covered with herons, storks, and roseate spoonbills. Continue across the boardwalk, following a short length of road before turning right onto a trail named Osprey Blvd. In a quarter mile, look to the left for a somewhat hidden trail entrance that dips into a shady canopy.

This pathway weaves northward for nearly a mile before crossing a bridge over the Orlando Wetlands outflow canal. On the other side of the bridge, turn right to follow blue blazes, tracing alongside the surprisingly clear, naturally filtered water as it heads out towards the river. Turn right again in less than a half mile at a junction with the Florida Trail, using orange blazes to navigate southbound through a dense oak and palm forest carpeted with ferns. Reaching the next trail junction in 2.2 miles, make one more right onto a blue connector trail leading westbound through an increasingly dry hardwood hammock that opens to a cattle pasture before finishing the loop at the trailhead.

Although the loop can be traveled in either direction, a clockwise route is suggested, as the Orlando Wetlands are strict about closing right at dusk, and Seminole Ranch is open 24 hours a day. The Orlando Wetlands are closed every Monday. Seminole Ranch Conservation Area also allows seasonal hunting, with the next hunt scheduled for March 13th - 16th.