Florida Nature Events in October: 10+ Free Festivals, Hikes, and Outdoor Adventures
Florida Nature Events in October 2025: Hiking, Biking, Birding & Nature Festivals
This guide rounds up the top Florida nature events in October 2025—perfect for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience the real Florida.
From wildlife festivals and hiking challenges to paddling adventures and stargazing nights, these Florida Nature Events in October 2025 are ideal for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience the real Florida. Whether you’re exploring the Florida Panhandle, Central Florida, or the Keys, there’s no shortage of unforgettable Florida October nature events waiting for you.
The Highlights: Top Florida Nature Events in October
Key Largo | October 16-19 – REEF Fest!
REEF has hosted ocean seminars and social events in the Florida Keys each fall since 2015. Divers, snorkelers, and ocean lovers attend REEF Fest to celebrate their love of marine life and learn about the latest in conservation, with plenty of time for Florida Keys adventures that bring those lessons to life!
Hobe Sound | October 18 – Firefest at Jonathan Dickinson State Park
This day-long celebration promises fun for all ages with activities ranging from live fire demos to rides, a spooky trail, a kids zone, live music and more. Experience the vibrant culture of this park through thrilling demonstrations, guided nature walks and educational talks from expert rangers about the crucial role of prescribed fire.
Tampa | November 1 – Hillsborough Hiking Spree Kickoff!
Join Live Wildly at Lettuce Lake Park for the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree Kickoff! Guided hikes, exhibitors, classes, food trucks, and more.
Florida Panhandle Nature Events in October
Tallahassee | October 4 – Tally Tango Bikepacking Challenge
The Tallahassee Tango routes are the first ultra-endurance bikepacking routes in the Florida panhandle. The routes are centered around the state capital and are composed of singletrack, scenic double track, coastal levees, and forest roads.
Eastpoint | October 4 – Tate’s Hell Annual Paddle Festival
Join the Tate’s Hell Annual Paddle Festival for a fun-filled day of kayaking, canoeing, and exploring the beautiful waterways.
Tallahassee | October 5 – Moon Over Maclay
The Friends of Maclay Gardens invite you to Moon Over Maclay, an elegant evening of jazz, lights, and community – set against the backdrop of the historic Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park!
Chipley | October 8 – History And Animals Of Falling Waters State Park
The interpretive training program will be held at one of our pavilions. Guides will be discussing the history of Falling Waters State Park and the animals that reside in the park.
Pensacola | October 11 – An Evening Under the Stars at Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies!
Port St. Joe | October 21 – Magnificent Monarchs: Witness Their Migration!
Come witness monarchs on their migration journey and learn more about this natural wonder from Mary Beth Cary of Monarchs Across Georgia. Located at William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area
Lamont | October 25 – Bats, Beasts and Boos! With North Florida Wildlife Center
Join the Wildlife Center for a spooky weekend full of frightfully-fun activities, contests, animal encounters, and presentations!
Eastpoint | October 28 – Living Shorelines Workshop
Join the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for a Living Shorelines Workshop to learn how natural materials and coastal-friendly landscaping can protect shorelines, enhance biodiversity, and save homeowners time and money.
North Florida Nature Events in October
Jacksonville | October 12 – Birdwalk at Reddie Point Preserve
Join St. Johns Regional Audubon and Sue Killeen for a field trip to Reddie Point Preserve, a 102 acre site at the bend of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. Roughly 232 species have been found at this delightful area, which has a 700 foot long pier with views of downtown Jacksonville.
Ocala | October 14 – Learn How to go from “Plant to Plate” with UF/IFAS
Would you like to grow your own fresh food? Interested in staying healthy? This program combines growing your own food with a health-promoting diet. This all-day workshop will help you learn to sustainably grow fruits and vegetables, hydroponics, efficient irrigation, and edible ornamental plants that you can use to create delicious and healthy recipes.
Lake City | October 16 – Sunflowers at Sunset
Hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County. The evening includes walking through several sunflower varieties in the field, cutting for a small bouquet, discussion on growing, biology, and succession planting of sunflowers. Light refreshments provided.
Saint Johns | October 16th – Moonlight Paddleboarding
Experience the quiet beauty of Palmo Bay under the glow of the moon. Join for a peaceful evening paddleboard trip where calm waters, cool breezes, and starlit skies set the scene for an unforgettable night on the water. Glide across the bay on a guided tour designed for all skill levels — no rush, no noise, just the rhythm of your paddle and the natural beauty around you. It’s the perfect way to unwind, reconnect, and see the bay like never before.
Ponte Vedra Beach | October 18 – GTM Research Reserve: Beach Exploration
This two-hour guided beach hike takes participants through the Guana North Beach location and teaches them all about the various species of animals and plants that call the beach home. This tour is ideal for the whole family.
White Springs | October 23-27 – Stephen Foster Suwannee River Work Party 2025
Join the FTA and the Sandhill Chapter during their annual maintenance event based at Stephen Foster State Park in beautiful White Springs, FL from October 23-27, 2025. It’s been three years since the Suwannee River section of the Florida Trail has seen regular trail maintenance. In 2023 all of the work on the 70 miles of river trail was focused on disaster response in the wake of several major hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. This season the Florida Trail Association hopes to give the trail a much needed clean up!
Gainesville | October 25 – Florida Bat Festival
For over two decades, the Florida Bat Festival has been a much-anticipated Family Friendly Fall Festival and is a beacon of education, conservation, and excitement! Join Lubee Bat Conservancy on Saturday, October 25th from 10-5pm for a day filled with thrilling activities, captivating exhibits, and unforgettable experiences for the whole family. And of course, the world’s largest bats!
Jena | October 25 – The Kings Road 2025: Coast to Coast Dirt Road Bike Challenge
Coast to Coast via the finest combination of Florida Dirt Roads. Challenge yourself to finish this one-of-a-kind biking adventure!
Related October Highlight: Learn More About Bats
Photo Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Service
Bats are a big part of fall in Florida—and October is the perfect month to celebrate them. From spooky bat walks to the Florida Bat Festival, these flying mammals play a vital role in our ecosystems. Want to dive deeper? Learn more about Florida’s bats here.
Central Florida Nature Events in October
Orlando | October 8 – Self-Care Climate Night
Keep Orlando Beautiful is celebrating Florida Climate Week by taking a break and resting in nature. Leave the climate anxiety at home and come out to Eagle Nest Park, one of Orlando’s largest green spaces and a stunning wetland habitat.
Tavares | October 11 – Fall Festival: A Gardening Celebration
A fun & engaging, family friendly event featuring local vendors, educational activities, and entertainment for the community, especially kids! Hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Master Gardener Volunteers.
Mount Dora | October 11-12 – 51st Annual Cycle Mount Dora
The City of Mount Dora will be hosting the 2025 Cycle Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, and all profits for the event will help teach kids how to swim and provide funds for scholarships for those in need.
Winter Park | October 14 – Tree Time: Sip, Stroll, and Celebrate Florida Trees!
“Tree Time” at Mead Botanical Garden invites you to sip, stroll, and explore 28 tree species ideal for Florida yards. Enjoy drinks and lite bites as you learn expert tips on selecting, planting, and caring for trees that thrive in our local environment.
Tavares | October 18 – Explore Composting with Worms!
Cost: $5 – (bring your own bin) worms and bedding materials will be provided. Vermicomposting is a type of composting that uses worms, typically red wigglers, to convert food scraps and other organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost (worm castings) and worm tea. It’s a sustainable practice that reduces waste, enriches soil, and provides a natural fertilizer for plants.
Astor | October 21 – Paddling Adventure
Launching from Powell’s Campground in Astor, this guided trip will take paddlers into Lake Dexter and Stagger Mud Lake. The shorelines offer scenic vistas and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Nearby are Lake Norris hiking trails and shell mounds.
Oakland | October 24-25th – Jack-o-lantern trail at Oakland Nature Preserve!
Family friendly event where you can hike along a jack-o-lantern glowing trail.
Apopka | October 25 – Fall in Love at Wekiwa: A Peaceful Book Reading Event
This event is free with paid admission to the park. Wekiwa Springs requires a reservation to be made prior to entry. Visitors will bring a blanket and a book they are currently reading to the park and enjoy a peaceful morning reading with others in a natural environment.
East Florida Nature Events in October
Fort Pierce | October 4 – Bring Your Brew Birding Hike
Nothing goes together quite like a thermos of freshly brewed coffee and a beautiful morning hike. Come sip and learn about some of Florida’s most important and unique bird species. Hosted by Oxbow Eco-Center.
Miami | October 4 – Movie Night at Flora of Miami! Path of the Panther
Join them for their first outdoor movie screening of the year! Starting strong with Path of the Panther, a breathtaking documentary that takes you deep into the Everglades, where wildlife photographers, conservationists, and indigenous voices are fighting to save Florida’s elusive and iconic panther.
Doral | October 7 – Dive into the World of Bats!
Come hang out in wild Florida and have a spooky good time learning about Bats! Hosted by the City of Doral.
DeLand | October 8 – Plant Like a Floridian Workshop
Join Sustainability and Resilience staff, Sergeneno Rankin, as he discusses native plants of Florida at DeLand Regional Library.
Miami | October 18 – Bird Friendly Gardening Day
Do you enjoy digging in the garden, learning about native plants that attract birds and other pollinators, or weeding invasives? Sign up to help maintain a Bird-Friendly Demonstration Garden and near-native Steinberg Nature Center grounds!
Delray Beach | October 18 – Guided Birding Walk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands
During this guided adventure, Cathie will help you spot and identify resident and migratory birds while sharing insights into their behaviors, calls, and habitats. Participants of all levels, from beginners to seasoned birders, are welcome.
De Leon Springs | October 25-26th – De Leon Springs State Park Haunted Boat Ride
An exciting haunted boat tour at De Leon Springs State Park! Step aboard if you dare…This 50 minute haunted cruise drifts into the shadows where eerie legends come to life and not everything is as it seems. What will you encounter in the darkness? Only the Spring knows…. Special Halloween menu at the Sugar Mill, Halloween activities can be found at pavilion # 5, the visitor center and gift shop will be open.
Seville | October 31 – River to Sea Bike Loop with Singeltrack Samurai
River to Sea loop is a multi-day group bicycle tour that takes riders to scenic springs, the ocean, and iconic towns using as much gravel as possible.
West Florida Nature Events in October
Tampa | October 4 – Native Plant Walk at Lettuce Lake Park
See what grows naturally in the hardwood swamp and learn how native plants benefit wildlife with the Suncoast Native Plant Society.
Ruskin | October 4 – Fall Fright Fest at Camp Bayou
The 4th annual Fall Fright Fest offers a chance to learn about and explore the nature preserve at night! Featuring a nocturnal animal hike, and a haunted hike.
Inverness | October 5 – Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Ride
On the first Sunday in October join cyclists on the 28th Annual Withlacoochee State Trail Ride since 1977. Ride the #2 Best Outdoor Recreational Trail in the USA cited by USA Today in 2025. Famous for its tree canopy shade in most spots, this 47-mile paved trail was an early ‘Rails to Trails’ initiative, converting disused old railroad tracks to a multi-use paved trail.
Lithia | October 10 – Wild Kingdom Workshop for Educators
The goal of Project WILD is to assist learners of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. They invite classroom teachers, pre-service teachers, non-formal educators, and children/youth leaders (scouts, 4H, etc.) to participate in this workshop.
Tarpon Springs | October 11 – Sleep In Saturday Hike
Spend Saturday afternoon with a naturalist who will lead you on a family-friendly nature hike in the Preserve! Hosted by Brooker Creek Preserve Env. Education Center
Copeland | October 11 – Night Sky Experience at Fakahatchee
This program offers participants the chance to experience and photograph the nighttime sky in one of the darkest places in southwest Florida.
Fort Myers | October 15 – Fishing Clinic at Lovers Key State Park
Join park naturalists to learn more about fishing in Southwest Florida. You’ll discuss a variety of tackle and fresh bait rigs, discover the best places to drop a line at the park, and learn the rules and regulations for fishing in Southwest Florida.
St. Petersburg | October 18 – International Archaeology Day Celebration at Weedon Island Preserve!
This year at Weedon Island they’re hosting an Open House event where visitors can meet archaeology partners and enjoy a one-day exhibit of pre-Columbian artifacts from the Tampa Bay region and beyond! Experts will be on-hand to illustrate the use of early stone and shell tools and their importance to indigenous people.
October is one of the most exciting months for outdoor adventures, and these Florida Nature Events in October highlight the very best of the season. From birding and biking to festivals and family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to mark your calendar for these top Florida October nature events and make the most of Florida’s beautiful fall weather. Which Florida Nature Event in October will you be exploring?
