While not obvious at first glance, Rock Springs Run State Reserve was once home to a railroad stop on the historic Sanford – Lake Eustis Railway. Known as Ethel, this pioneer settlement had a store, school, and a post office. Established in the 1860’s, the town started to drift into obscurity by the 1920’s, until remnants of the cemetery were accidentally discovered by a park service volunteer in 2008.
With the help of researchers and volunteers, the park now features a 1.4-mile loop trail with dozens of interpretive signs describing the long-gone community and people who lived there. The trail follows wide access roads for the most part, passing the cemetery and picnic benches along the way. Admission is $3.00 a vehicle, and while seasonal hunting occurs in this park, it is not allowed in the section this trail traverses. Each year in October, the Wekiva Wilderness Trust puts together an event known as Haunted Historic Ethel. This year, it will be on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th.
Opened to the public earlier this year, D Ranch Preserve protects 476 acres of land in the Lake Monroe floodplain. Acquired by Conservation Florida in 2019, this former working ranch boasts an impressive variety of habitats undergoing various stages of restoration. Built with the help of volunteers, a network of well-marked trails crisscrosses the property, showcasing its natural beauty.
From the parking area, the main trail is designated with red markers. In less than a quarter mile, this path branches to the south, where the yellow and orange loop trails explore upland habitats. To the north, the green and blue loop trails weave across seasonally flooded wetlands. With many routes to explore, a hike can be anywhere from a half mile trip to over four miles. This time of year, the flatwoods should be starting to sport vibrant wildflowers, from vibrant yellow goldenrod to purple chaffheads and blazing stars.
Home to the Central Florida famous “Mud Walk”, a rite of passage for fifth grade students in Seminole County, Spring Hammock Preserve is an exceptionally beautiful dive into primordial floodplain forests alongside Lake Jesup. The preserve once had a long boardwalk leading out to the shore of the lake, until a trio of hurricanes in 2004 caused considerable damage to the end of the wooden walkway. It eventually fell into disrepair and was closed off around 2012. Rumors of the boardwalk being replaced someday would pop up from time to time for over a decade until Seminole County announced major improvements and a groundbreaking in October 2024.
And improve they did! The park now features an accessible asphalt path that leads down the shady Osprey Trail for nearly a mile, passing a side boardwalk to a massive cypress tree and a cloudy blue spring along the way. At the end of the pathway, a robust boardwalk with built in benches extends out over the floodplain, weaving through tall palms, sweetgum, and more stately cypress trees surrounded by huge knees. The boardwalk continues for a quarter mile before opening to a wide vista overlooking Lake Jesup and possible sightings of its notorious alligators. On the way back, new bridges across the canal paralleling the Osprey Trail allow access to the Mud Walk trails, a set of unmarked, rugged paths through a soggy subtropical jungle that progressively get wetter the further you venture in.
Florida Hikes Article about changes to Spring Hammock Preserve over the years
A former Boy Scout camp, Geneva Wilderness Area was acquired by Seminole County in 1994, the same year neighboring Little Big Econ State Forest was created. An array of natural communities is protected on the property, including scrub, flatwoods, and baygall swamp. In addition to a loop trail, and group campground, the wilderness area is home to the Ed and Imogene Yarborough Nature Center, a hub for environmental education. The nature center isn’t typically open to the public aside from an open house a few times a year, but it can be reserved for private events.
The 1.5 mile loop trail starts at a parking area on the northwest end of the property, marked with trailhead signage. Heading south from the trailhead, follow a sandy pathway leading through a patch of oak scrub where showy tarflowers begin to bloom in the springtime. The trail quickly drops down into a pine flatwoods habitat, where an impressive dock stretches out over a scenic prairie pond covered with water lilies and carnivorous bladderworts.
From the pond, the pathway continues southward where the Flagler Trail heads into Little Big Econ State Forest and the loop trail curves back to the north. Tracing an edge of another prairie pond, the second half of the loop can be flooded during certain times of the year, especially after heavy rain events. Near the end of the loop, the trail passes the nature center before continuing along a short stretch of dirt road back to the trailhead.
Few folks talk about seeing fireflies (aka lightning bugs) in Florida, but if you know the right places to look, they are easy to find. In fact, our state is home to over 50 different species of fireflies, more than any other state can claim. Usually found in wetter habitats, these enigmatic beetles begin flashing light from their bioluminescent abdomens shortly after the sun sets, and typically only for couple hours after it gets dark.
Palm Bluff Conservation Area is a great spot to search for fireflies in Central Florida, as the property is open 24 hours a day. The remote location and spotty wetlands provide a good habitat for the beetles, far away from the mosquito spraying trucks that keep biting flies to a minimum in the suburbs but also prevent fireflies from establishing a presence. An excellent place for hiking day or night, Palm Bluff features over 10 miles of trails, spanning vast pine flatwoods dotted with scrub and oak hammock. As is the case with many water management district properties, free camping is available. The campsite is located a short walk from the parking area, and it must be reserved in advance online.
Maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District, Lake Apopka North Shore offers miles of trails for hiking and biking on former farmlands that are undergoing restoration efforts. Once a popular location for fishing, Lake Apopka was surrounded by fish camps before intensive agriculture along the shoreline turned the water green and the number of fish in the lake rapidly declined. Beginning in 1985, major projects have been undertaken to revive the lake and the natural communities that rely on it.
In addition to the 17 mile linear North Shore Trail and a 11 mile wildlife drive, the Clay Island trails offer loop hikes on elevated levees ranging between 4.7 and 7.2 miles, with tall observation towers along the way. A great spot for birdwatching, many migratory and resident birds frequent the natural and unnatural wetlands adjacent to the lake. The easiest way to access the loop trails is from the Clay Island Trailhead at the end of Carolyn Lane. Shade is very limited on the trail system, and sun protection is highly recommended.
Nestled in the southeastern corner Orange County, a quaint loop trail ventures through primordial forests of the St. Johns River floodplain. Part of the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area trail system, the Taylor Creek Loop was once a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Over a dozen years ago, a large portion of the Florida Trail was moved off private land and rerouted along a notorious 30+ mile roadwalk. Rather than completely abandoning the scenic route at Taylor Creek, the orange blazes were painted white, and the trail was made into a loop.
While the northern portion of Tosohatchee requires an entrance fee, this lone portion of the forest is free if you can find the trailhead along the high-speed traffic of SR 520. The parking area is accessed through a tall gate designed to protect wildlife, and a sign beyond the fence indicates the start of the trail. Walking the loop in a clockwise direction, pine forest quickly transitions to a deeply shaded palm and oak hammock where many trunks and branches are completely covered in air plants, resurrection ferns, and native orchids.
Near the halfway point, a picnic bench is all that remains of what was once a designated campsite along the FNST. A spur trail leads southward from the picnic area towards a beauty spot among the cypress trees surrounding Taylor Creek. Be careful following the trail markers along the spur, as they diverge at a confusing spot near a pair of double blazes. A quick search for trail maps should find one that can help navigate the correct route.
Continuing past the picnic bench on the loop trail, the path quickly emerges from the hammock into an open pine flatwoods community, where the rest of the trail follows a wide grassy access road back to the trailhead.
As a Wildlife Management Area, Tosohatchee provides certain dates for hunting. The Taylor Creek Loop section is open to hunting from January 10th-16th, and February 7th-13th, 2025. Hiking should be avoided during these dates.
Locally famous as an extremely popular swimming area during our hot, humid summers, Wekiwa Springs State Park boasts an extensive network of hiking trails, maintained yearly by the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail. The trail system offers hikes ranging from under a mile, exploring boardwalks near the springhead to an all-day adventure along the 13.5-mile white Hiking Trail loop.
The trails showcase an assortment of natural landscapes that are meticulously cared for by the park staff. Rolling sandhills transition to scrubby flatwoods, and mixed hammocks border floodplain forests alongside Rock Springs Run. Two main starting points are available for hikers, the parking area near the spring, and Sand Lake Trailhead, located further into the park. A pair of primitive campsites serve as destinations for backpackers who want to spend a night in the wilderness under the stars.
Our chapter recently wrapped up their final maintenance in the park for this season on January 7th, so the trails should be freshly mowed and trimmed! While the spring usually attracts throngs of visitors in the warmer months creating a line of cars that wrap from the entrance to over a half mile down Wekiva Springs Road, the park is a lot easier to get into when it is as chilly it has been the past couple of weeks.
Over the past few years, dedicated volunteers with the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail have replaced numerous bridges along the Econlochatchee River. Easily one of the most popular spots along the entire Florida Trail, the Little Big Econ State Forest hosts nearly ten miles of the orange blazed FNST.
Hiking the Kolokee Loop is the easiest way to see the volunteer handiwork, as it crosses most of the new bridges. Starting at the Barr Street Trailhead, the Kolokee loop combines 2.4 miles of the Florida Trail with a short section of the Flagler Trail and a white blazed loop for an out and back trip of 5.6 miles. This well-maintained path traces tall bluffs alongside the blackwater river, and large alligators are often seen resting on the sandy banks below. The return trip on the white trail explores jungle like forests in the floodplain further away from the river.
This route is also a designated trail in the Florida State Forest Trailwalker Program, a service that rewards hikers with certificates and swag for checking out the beautiful State Forests across the state.
Night hiking is a particularly interesting endeavor any time of the month, although especially so under a full moon. Our guided hike of the month took place at the Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area this month, on Saturday the 16th, which happened to be a super moon, the last super moon of the year. A super moon only occurs a few times a year, when the moon is closest in orbit to the earth.
Nearly two dozen folks came out for a walk in the woods, where the moonlight was so bright that it cast shadows on the trail. The aptly named Econ Sandhills did not disappoint, with stark white sugar sand pathways that shone brightly under the night sky. This conservation area is also stunning in the daytime, showcasing sandhill, scrub, and floodplain forest communities.
Finding public lands that are accessible at night can be a challenge however, as many are only open from dawn until dusk. In general, water management district properties allow 24 hour access. In Central Florida, the St. Johns Water Management District offers the Econ Sandhills, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Lake Monroe, Palm Bluff, and Buck Lake properties, some of which also offer free camping.
For October, we will be revisiting a classic series of activities held by our chapter, Historical Hikes. These trips featured in-depth information collected by Steve Rajtar, and embroidered patches were given out at the end of each hike. Our chapter still has several batches of the patches, and we plan to host more Historical Hikes throughout the hiking season.
This month we will tour the Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, to learn more about the history of the city, and some particularly notable Orlandoans. The grounds are open to the public from 7 AM – 7 PM daily, and parking is available at the end of Greenwood Street. The neighboring Greenwood Urban Wetlands can be accessed from the same parking area, for a surprisingly quiet stroll through cypress lined wetlands at the edge of a bustling metropolis.
Located a few miles east of Downtown St. Cloud, Lake Lizzie Conservation Area showcases a variety of natural habitats on the eastern side of its namesake lake.
A network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails traverse the property, leading through scrub, swamp, and flatwoods communities along the way. Primitive camping is available, by reservation for $12 per person.
The preserve has a north and south entrance, and 3.5 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail span between the two trailheads. As part of a major future reroute in Central Florida, orange blazes will eventually connect lead north to Split Oak WEA, and southward to Holopaw Conservation Area and Triple N WMA.
The Marsh Trail on the south end is the only route designated specifically for hiking, with a scenic loop and boardwalk leading out to views of lakeside marshes.
An important link among a collection of adjoining conservation lands in eastern Orange County, Pine Lily Preserve protects over 400 acres in the Econlockhatchee River Watershed. The expansive pine prairies of Hal Scott Preserve to the south spill over into this smaller parcel, where a flower that lies dormant for most of the year gives the park its alluring name.
Starting at a Florida Trail kiosk next to the parking area, orange blazes lead eastward along a wide two-track trail bordered by a collection of various shrubs. The landscape changes rapidly while approaching a blue-blazed loop at the half-mile mark, where clustered saw palmettos cover an open flatwoods habitat dotted with pines bearing scorch marks from prescribed burns.
In late summer and early fall, pine lilies push long stalks above the dense understory to produce captivating coral-tinted blooms that stand in stark contrast to the surrounding sea of green. Following the blue trail for a half mile in a loop back to the orange blazes will provide the best opportunities to spot these showy flowers. The Florida Trail leads through the middle of the loop, stretching to the eastern side of the property, where it will eventually connect with Savage Christmas Creek Preserve to the north. From the parking area, orange blazes continue south into Hal Scott Preserve as part of an existing trail network that includes Long Branch Preserve to the west.
In a rural corner of Orange County, nearly two miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail run from SR 50 to a large parking area alongside Christmas Rd. This segment is one of several pieces that will eventually be linked together to route around a long stretch of the trail that is known as the Deseret Roadwalk. Years ago, the Florida Trail crossed the cattle fields and tributaries of the St. John’s River on the way from Bull Creek to Tosohatchee.
A dispute led to the trail being moved off of the pastures to a series of roads with no official camping spots and questionable water sources. Several years ago, an official reroute began to take shape, starting at Triple N Ranch to the south, and ending at Savage Christmas Creek at the north. Eventually a string of properties will move the trail closer to Orlando and more into the woods at the same time.
The orange blazes at Savage Christmas Creek are most easily accessible (depending on the time of year) from the north trailhead. As the blazes lead westward from the parking lot, a forest road that can occasionally flood turns toward a large kiosk at the start of a narrow trail through scrubby flatwoods habitats. At 1.5 miles, a stile crosses over a fence near an experimental reforestation project before the trail crosses another stile and enters a shady oak forest. Near the two mile mark, the path emerges onto a grassy forest road that leads to the south trailhead in a tenth of a mile. Future plans will connect the trail from here to Pine Lily Preserve and Big Cypress Preserve to the south, and the other end will lead into Orlando Wetlands and Fort Pickens to the north.
Savage Christmas Creek Official Website
Florida Hikes Article for the Orlando Reroute of the Florida National Scenic Trail
Created in 1987 as a unique way to treat wastewater from the city, Orlando Wetlands has become an unexpected destination for viewing wildlife. Although the property was opened to the public in the 90’s, it was closed for hunting several months of each year until 2015. In 2023, an impressive boardwalk was constructed across one of the ponds, offering up-close views of herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills. At some point in the future, an ornate visitor center near the entrance is expected to open.
The park provides a variety of experiences for visitors, allowing bikes and foot traffic on a series of open berms, and a hiking only trail through densely forested woodlands. It is common to see a multitude of resident and migratory birds alongside large alligators on the berm trails. Adjacent to the parking area, the hiking trail winds through a subtropical palm and oak hammock covered in various epiphytes. In this humid, shady environment, giant airplants cling to branches next to native orchids and clusters of resurrection ferns.
Open from dusk until dawn, admission is free, and water and restrooms are available near the trailhead. The Florida National Scenic Trail currently circumnavigates the Orlando Wetlands and may one day cross the property when a significant reroute to the south is completed. The Florida trail can be accessed from the north end of the wetlands, or by using a connector trail leading from the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area trailhead across the street.
Maintained by the St. John’s River Water Management District, Lake Jessup Conservation Area protects over 5,000 acres surrounding its namesake lake. The East Tract is one of three public access points, and one of two that features a marked trail system. Starting at the end of a road in Black Hammock, trails in this portion of the conservation area explore shady hammocks along the southern shore of the lake.
Diamond shaped markers wind through a forest of tall palms and stately live oaks draped with Spanish moss. A wide pathway leads away from the parking area towards the swampy floodplain, reaching the loop portion of the route in about a half mile. Turning to the left at the loop, the wide trail continues to the east, reaching a tall wooden tower on the shoreline at the northernmost point. Taking a right at the intersection, the path skirts around a small pond and becomes narrower as it meanders through a subtropical jungle to the observation tower.
Either way, an out and back exploration of the trail is around a two-mile round trip over undulating terrain and under a generous amount of tree cover. As is the case with all SJRWMD recreation lands, public access is allowed 24 hours a day, so visitors don’t have to worry about rushing back to the trailhead by sunset. Because the St. John’s River and its numerous lakes are subject to seasonal flooding, it may be best to skip over this trail after a heavy rain event.
Lake Jessup Conservation Area Official Website
Florida Hikes Article for Lake Jessup Conservation Area East Tract
Located directly south of perhaps the most visited state forest in Florida, one of the least visited forests offers a 9.5 mile loop trail through a spectacular variety of habitats in the St. Johns River floodplain. Acquired by the state in 2008, Charles H. Bronson State Forest was opened to the public in the early 2010’s. This new addition allowed the Florida Trail to leave a substantial road walk behind as a dedicated crew of volunteers re-routed the trail through the forest.
In addition to the orange blazed Florida National Scenic Trail, the Central Florida Chapter added the white blazed River Trail, blue blazed County Line Connector, and established the Fern, County Line, and Joshua Creek Campsites. All three campsites can be reserved online, and they are spaced out at distances to accommodate folks who are new to backpacking and seasoned hikers. Prone to seasonal flooding, springtime is one of the best times to explore this loop trail while it is still dry.
Protecting 240 acres in the Econlockhatchee River watershed, a set of loop trails explores varied habitats that change as they get closer to the water. A Seminole County Natural Land, the Econ Wilderness Area was acquired in 1994 to preserve land alongside it's namesake river. The trail system consists of the red trail with two loops tied together by linear path in the middle, and a short yellow loop spur on the eastern side of the red trail.
Starting at the trailhead, hikers are surrounded by a forest of scrubby flatwoods that slowly transitions to a sandhill community. The county has performed extensive restoration efforts though reducing brush and prescribed fire to bring these habitats to a more natural state.
While following trail markers eastward, the path descends into a baygall swamp, crossing a wet section on a bridge before climbing high above the water table into drier ecosystems. Passing over a larger sandhill community dotted with pines and turkey oaks, the trail dips again towards the river on the other side. If the water level is low, visitors can walk right into the Econlockhatchee floodplain where blackwater creeks wind through cypress knees and orchids bloom high above on huge live oak limbs.
Although this is a very popular park, the parking is large and the trails are spacious enough for everyone to enjoy it's natural beauty.
Easily one of the most popular of Seminole County’s Natural Lands, Black Bear Wilderness Area is a well-known destination for hikers and trail runners in the area. Using a series of berms constructed years ago alongside the St. Johns River, a seven-mile loop trail starts and ends at the large parking area off Michigan avenue in Sanford. A few years ago, Seminole County added several impressive boardwalks that extend off the berm and over the river with spectacular views.
From the trailhead, an accessible concrete sidewalk winds through a subtropical hammock to a tall boardwalk leading to the beginning of the loop trail. Heading right at this junction is best for first-time visitors, as this is the shortest route to the river, where folks can turn around and return to the trailhead instead of tackling the whole loop.
As the path sticks to the tops of elevated berms, the trail typically remains dry while traveling through the vast forested floodplain. Dense canopies provide plentiful shade along the length of the trail, although a copious number of exposed roots make for tricky footing in many spots. Near the halfway point, a primitive backpacking campsite is nestled under a stand of tall cabbage palms. Reservations can be made ahead of time to stay the night in this remote corner of the county in a truly wild landscape.
Because of this park’s popularity, it has the potential to be very busy, especially on weekends. Weekdays are usually the best time to experience a quieter hike along the trail.
Black Bear Wilderness Official Website
Stretching out into the open grassy expanse of the St. John’s River floodplain, the Culpepper Bend trail traces alongside dark, tannic waters of the Econlockhatchee river on tall sandy bluffs. Developed by volunteers from the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, this pathway was added alongside a batch of trails that removed over ten miles of roadwalk from the Florida Trail.
Starting at a trailhead near the end of a 3.5 mile drive down Brumley Road in Chuluota, the route begins with a trek along a service road for 1.4 miles before reaching the white blazed River Trail. Turning northward, the River Trail passes through a densely shaded cabbage palm hammock before reaching the Econ River. The yellow blazes of the Culpepper Bend trail begin along high banks of the winding waterway, heading eastward towards the St. John’s River.
Descending into the floodplain, the bluffs gradually decrease in size until the trail is at the water’s edge along a spectacularly scenic bend. From this point, the trail historically continued around the next bend to a large pavilion on the river, but the structure was removed a few years ago. Depending on the water levels of the St. John’s, folks can explore further into the floodplain, or follow an equestrian trail through an oak hammock to the service road, then back to the trailhead.
Hunting is allowed on certain dates in this part of the forest, please check the FWC website prior to exploring the area. There will be no hunt dates for January and February in 2024, but Spring Turkey season starts March 9th.
Named after a majestic live oak that continues to thrive after splitting in half from centuries of wear, Split Oak Forest showcases a rich variety of Florida’s natural habitats. Purchased in 1994 by Orange and Osceola Counties as part of a mitigation program, the property protects dozens of threatened species including the gopher tortoise. A network of trails has been established across the park, including a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The North / South Loop trail circles a large portion of the vast landscapes, traversing many of the park’s ecosystems from the various upland communities to the unique matrix of different wetlands. A side spur known as the Lake Loop intersects the main trail on the north end, featuring a pair of overlooks at the water’s edge, and the park’s namesake tree.
Although disconnected from the rest of the continuous Florida National Scenic Trail, a four-mile portion of the trail runs through Split Oak. Using a section of the North / South Loop, the orange blazed Florida Trail starts at the southern border of the park and exits on the northeast corner before continuing through adjacent Moss Park. Part of a future major reroute, this section will eventually string the trail together with Triple N Ranch, Lake Lizzie, Moss Park, Crosby Island Marsh, Hal Scott, Pine Lily, and Savage Christmas Creek.
Offering free access twenty-four hours a day, Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area is one of several properties preserving the natural landscapes surrounding its namesake. Originating in the swamps of Osceola County, the river most locals refer to simply as the Econ winds through East Central Florida for over fifty miles before emptying into St. Johns River.
In addition to protecting the sensitive watershed, this parcel features sandhill habitats, which have become increasingly rare due to development. These ecosystems are typically characterized by a spotty canopy of turkey oak, sand live oak, and pine, and yellow-tinted sandy soils. Turkey oaks are one of the few upland trees in the area that shed their leaves in the winter, turning brown this time of year before they drop to the forest floor.
From the large parking area, red blazes lead into the conservation area, passing through a shady section before emerging into a scrubby habitat near high-tension power lines. The red trail follows under power lines for a few hundred feet before turning off into the woods. Continuing straight along the utility corridor eventually heads out to a scenic spot on the Econlockhatchee, where dark, tannic waters flow through stands of cypress trees. Turning right to stay on the red trail, a wide pathway cuts eastward to the yellow loop where a well-marked route weaves across sandhill communities for about two miles before returning to this junction.
Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area Official Website
Florida Hikes article for the Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area
An oasis of wilderness within the bustling Greater Orlando Area, Seminole State Forest offers an impressive variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. As the Florida National Scenic Trail leaves Central Florida, orange blazes cross over 17 miles of this state forest before leading northward through Camp La No Che and into the Ocala National Forest.
Natural landscapes form a mosaic of habitats, from swampy jungles to xeric scrub ecosystems. Over a dozen crystal clear springs bubble up across the property, some close to trails, while others are hidden behind dense vegetation. Deer and black bears roam the woods, occasionally crashing through the underbrush as visitors approach. The Florida scrub jay is arguably the most famous resident of this forest, a rare and endangered species found only in the state of Florida.
Bear Pond Trailhead is a popular access point on the south end, where a section of the Florida Trail leads to white blazes along the Lower Wekiva Loop. A round trip of nearly 11 miles, this combined set of trails makes for an excellent day hike or overnight backpacking trip. Along the way, a blue blazed route known as Rachael’s Blueberry Crosstrail is available for a shorter hike and change of scenery. This trail was dedicated in 2021 in honor of Rachael’s 31 years of service to the Florida Trail, including 16 years as the Trail Coordinator for the Central Florida Chapter.
In addition to miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, the forest features several primitive campsites, one of which has a screened-in bunkhouse. Paddling is popular on Blackwater Creek, a dark, slow-moving waterway that flows eastward into the Wekiva River. As an active wildlife management area, hunting is available during the cooler months, with specific dates listed by the FWC.
Seminole State Forest Official Website
Florida Hikes article for the Lower Wekiva Loop at Seminole State Forest
One of nine properties in the Seminole County Natural Lands Program, Chuluota Wilderness Area protects over 600 acres of sensitive ecosystems. The most striking habitat in the preserve is endangered Florida scrub, a desert-like community featuring Florida rosemary, sand pines, and rusty lyonia.
Two miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail pass through this conservation area, connecting Charles H. Bronson State Forest to a road walk heading towards the Mills Creek Woodlands. The county maintains two loop trails, one with red markers leading through the scrub, and a yellow loop exploring the often-flooded wet flatwoods to the east.
In the warmer months, including September, scarlet calamint is in full bloom, sporting vibrant red flowers alongside blossoms of buttery yellow coastalplain honeycombhead. Gopher tortoises and their burrows are a common sight along the trails.
Due to the fire-dependent nature of scrub communities, the county occasionally performs prescribed burns at the Chuluota Wilderness Area. Although these events can dramatically change the landscape, regular intervals of fire disturbance are necessary to keep the habitat healthy and covered in wildflowers.
Chuluota Wilderness Area Official Website
Florida Hikes article for the Florida Trail in Chuluota Wilderness Area
Located in rural Northeast Orange County, Christmas Creek Preserve is host to a little-known section of the Florida Trail. A two mile segment of orange blazes lead through various natural habitats including scrubby flatwoods, mesic flatwoods, and oak hammocks.
Although August is notoriously hot in Central Florida, this preserve has a network of trails to lengthen or shorten the hike depending on the weather. In late summer and early fall, dry sections of the trails are covered in brilliant purple and yellow wildflowers, and the wet flatwoods portion features numerous vibrant red pine lilies.