12 Family Hiking Trails in Wild Florida

Looking to escape the “I’m bored” chorus from the backseat? Pack some snacks, slap on some sunscreen, and get the wiggles out in wild Florida.

These family-friendly hiking trails in Florida aren’t just beautiful—they’re also just the ticket for making lasting memories (and maybe tiring the kids out a little). Here’s our list of stroll-worthy spots full of family-friendly fun.

1. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Photo by Vicki DeLoach

If the Florida Panhandle is calling your name, Topsail Hill might be the answer. This park’s hiking trails lead you past pristine coastal dunes, a rare ecosystem so gorgeous even the sand seems smug about it. The kids will love the tram ride to the beach, and once you’re done exploring, you can dive into the aquamarine water to cool off. It’s like a nature walk and beach day rolled into one!

More from Topsail Hill: Wheeled Freedom in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Hiking Trail to Try: Deer Track Trail (1.1 miles)

2. Manatee Springs State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

“Is that a rock or a manatee?” will become the game of the day here. Follow the boardwalks through the cypress forest and channel your inner wildlife guru with endless guesses about what might be hiding in the water. Don’t worry—the manatees are friendly (though off-limits – please let them be!). Losing that guessing game to your kids? Less fun.

Hiking Trail to Try: Manatee Springs Boardwalk (0.5 miles)

3. Anastasia State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Whoever said hiking needs to be complicated has never walked the Ancient Dunes Trail. This easy loop has wildlife, ocean breezes, trees to climb, and plenty of chances to say, “Look, it’s a lizard!” Then, after you’ve mastered parenting and geography (“yes, this is super-old sand, kids”), reward yourself with a beach break for much-needed relaxation.

Florida Field Guide: Explore Anastasia State Park: Beaches, Trails, and Paddling

Hiking Trail to Try: Ancient Dunes Trail (0.7 miles)

4. Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Sugar, history, and trees—what’s not to love? The hiking trails here wind through a beautiful forest to the remnants of an old sugar mill. It’s an insta-worthy adventure that feels both mysterious and oddly tranquil. Plus, you can keep the kids entertained by pretending you’re on a treasure hunt (no digging, please).

Hiking Trail to Try: Bulow Nature Trail (0.7 miles)

5. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Walking through the home of “The Yearling” author lets you step back in time to when life was simple and Wi-Fi wasn’t a thing. Your kids, mercifully distracted by farm life, will forget to ask for snacks every five minutes. Strolling beneath the oaks, you’ll realize that maybe rustic charm isn’t so bad—especially when you don’t have to milk any cows. If there are oranges on the trees, you’re also invited to pick and eat them!

Hiking Trail to Try: Homestead Trail (0.5 miles)

6. Silver Springs State Park

Photo by George McKenzie Jr/Live Wildly

Step into a jungle movie set you didn’t know you were starring in! Silver Springs’ forest hiking trails feel like something straight out of an adventure film, and the kids will love trying to spot critters in the clear springs. Spoiler alert—they’ll definitely outlast your patience for looking at turtles by a solid 30 minutes. Need more thrills? The glass-bottom boats will surely make you the coolest parent for at least the next five minutes.

Dive In: Adventurist Sara’s Biased Guide to the Best Florida State Parks

Hiking Trail to Try: Silver Spring Swamp Trail (1.9 miles)

7. Tibet-Butler Preserve

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

This is where “nature lite” meets “hey, that’s pretty cool!” The hiking trails are short, the turtles are cooperative photo models, and the visitor center has an actual tortoise named Darwin and often baby alligators—all just minutes from Orlando’s Walt Disney World.

Florida Field Guide: A Wild Escape Within Earshot of the Magic Kingdom

Trail to Try: Pine Circle, Fallen Log, Tarflower, and Osprey Overlook Loop (2.6 miles)

8. Disney Wilderness Preserve

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

This park may have Disney in its name, but spoiler alert: there are zero princesses here, unless you count pine trees wearing crowns of sunshine. While venturing on these hiking trails, you can dazzle your kids by explaining how the threatened scrub jay makes a home here. You might also impress yourself by surviving a full hour without hearing the Frozen soundtrack.

Adventurist Tales: Epic Swamp Buggy Adventure at Disney Wilderness Preserve

Hiking Trail to Try: Lake Russell Viewpoint (1.6 miles)

9. Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Bring your aspiring historians (and a healthy dose of imagination) to the ancient Native American mounds here. Walk the trails and tell the kids tales of a time before iPads—when people actually built things like these epic oyster shell mounds without YouTube tutorials. Pro tip: Make it a competition to spot wildlife, but don’t worry—the wildlife definitely cheats at hide-and-seek.

Florida Field Guide: History and Nature at Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Hiking Trail to Try: The Mound Trails (1 mile)

10. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Spread your wings at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where there is so much room to roam that you’ll forget how close you are to the hustle and bustle of Palm Beach. The kids will love hearing about Trapper Nelson, the Wildman of the Loxahatchee, and you’ll love the quiet hiking trails after they’ve run out of questions like, “What kind of name is Loxahatchee?”

Explore: Your 2025 Wild Florida Bucket List

Hiking Trail to Try: Kitching Creek Nature Trail (1.2 miles)

11. Koreshan State Park

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

The nature here blends perfectly with history, and by “history,” we mean “offbeat utopian settlers lived here once.” Show the kids the preserved buildings and teach them what life was like before Netflix. Then, wander the peaceful hiking trails where nobody’s arguing over what to watch next. It’s a win-win.

Hiking Trail to Try: Koreshan Nature Trail (1.5 miles)

12. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Photo by Sara Sheehy/Live Wildly

Fact: Saying “Corkscrew Swamp” never gets old. You’ll giggle every time you say it, and so will the kids. But the star of the show is the boardwalk trail through ancient cypress trees—the kind of trail where everyone stares in awe and whispers, “Are we in a fairy tale?” Bonus points for spotting the baby alligators that totally won’t notice your Instagram selfie… probably.

Hiking Trail to Try: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Trail (2 miles)

Bonus Challenge: Who’s Most Tired by the End?

Sure, the kids might start with all the energy, but by the time you’ve explored these fantastic spots, everyone will be happily worn out. Just don’t forget to snap a family selfie before the inevitable trail nap attempts kick in.

These nature walks offer something for everyone—wildlife, history, beaches, and even the occasional tortoise named Darwin. Pack plenty of snacks, grab some bug spray, and get ready to enjoy the kind of fun in wild Florida that only fresh air and a touch of silliness can bring. Happy hiking!