Central Florida Hiking Trails for Families

1. Bear Creek Nature Trail—Winter Springs

This hidden gem trail is a short, shaded trail perfect for little legs. The peaceful creek, wooden bridges, and chances to spot birds, turtles, and butterflies make this an easy and enjoyable introduction to hiking for little ones.
Admission: Free

2. Big Tree Park—Longwood

Home to some of the oldest and largest trees in Central Florida, Big Tree Park features a short, stroller-friendly boardwalk trail. Afterwards, kids can play at the fenced-in, shaded playground.
Admission: Free

3. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake—Orlando

Locally known as Turkey Lake Park, this family-friendly spot is packed with activities for a full day of fun. Start at the animal farm, home to goats, pigs, horses, and more, then explore the nearby nature trail with interactive play stations for kids. The park also features paved and natural walking trails, two playgrounds, fitness stations, picnic areas, a fishing pier, disc golf, sand volleyball, and even a drone flying zone.
Admission: $5 per car; $2 for single-occupant vehicles

4. Bonnet Springs Park—Lakeland

This beautifully designed urban park in Lakeland is worth the drive and makes for a great day trip from Orlando. It features wide, accessible walking paths that loop through gardens, art installations, and several playground areas. There is also an on-site children's museum!
Admission: Park is free to explore; the children's museum has an admission fee

5. Disney Wilderness Preserve—Kissimmee

Spanning11,500 acres, this massive preserve began as a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Walt Disney Company. Visitors can hike miles of color-coded nature trails leading to the headwaters of the Everglades, while enjoying Florida’s wildlife and natural beauty. There is also an eco-friendly education center and butterfly garden. 
Admission: Free, donations appreciated

6. Gemini Springs Park—DeBary

Gemini Springs features a scenic 0.75-mile nature trail, a one-mile bike loop, and a short 0.25-mile bridge trail showcasing the twin springs and crystal-clear waters (swimming is not allowed). The park also offers a playground, picnic pavilions, a fishing pier, and a spacious dog park for families to enjoy.
Admission: Free

7. Geneva Wilderness Area—Geneva

While hiking the almost two-mile loop trail at the Geneva Wilderness Area, visitors can sight a variety of wildlife, including wild turkeys, alligators, white-tailed deer, and more.  The onsite Ed Yarborough Nature Center includes exhibits and live displays to educate guests about the ecology of Central Florida. 
Admission: Free

8. Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead—Minneola

This spot offers one of the best views in Central Florida, and kids will love climbing the wooden observation tower for a bird’s-eye look at Lake Apopka. The connected trail system is well-marked and shaded in parts, with plenty of rest stops and benches along the way.
Admission: Free

RELATED: Best Places to View Manatees Near Orlando

Hidden Waters Preserve boasts a number of short trails perfect for kids. 

9. Hidden Waters Preserve—Eustis

As the name hints, this preserve boasts hiking trails leading to a large sinkhole and ravine. The trails are color-coded and range from 0.2 to 1.5 miles. There are bridges and crossing beams along some of the trails. Kids are sure to enjoy exploring the shallow crystal-clear ravine waters, so be sure to bring a towel to dry off.
Admission: Free

10. Hontoon Island State Park—DeLand

This unique park is an island on the St. John’s River, accessible only by free park ferry or private boat. The park has eight miles of hiking trails for families to explore, many of which include evidence of Native American habitation. The most popular hiking trail is 3 miles round-trip and leads guests to Indian Shell Mound. Hiking maps can be picked up at the ranger station. Other amenities include a museum and visitor center, playground, and picnic pavilions.
Admission: Free

11. Horseshoe Park and Fairy Trail—Cassadaga

This magical trail is a short, whimsical walk through the spiritualist community of Cassadaga, dotted with fairy houses, painted rocks, and hidden treasures. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, it’s more of a nature-based scavenger hunt than a hike.
Admission: Free

12. Kelly Park/Rock Springs—Apopka

While most people flock to this park for tubing the turquoise spring run, there is also a 2.5-mile trail loop visitors can explore, as well as a full-service concession area, playground, and picnic pavilions. Due to the park's popularity, expect high volumes of visitors in the summer months.
Admission: $3 for vehicles with 1-2 people or $5 for vehicles with 3-8 people

13. Lake Lotus Park—Altamonte Springs

This park is only open Thursday-Sunday each week.
This 120-acre preserve offers a peaceful escape with a one-mile boardwalk through woods and wetlands, ending at a scenic lakefront pavilion. Visitors can also enjoy looped nature trails, a playground, fishing pier, education center, and picnic pavilions.
Admission: Free

14. Lake Mills Park—Chuluota

Two new trails wind through this park: a wide, ADA-accessible concrete path connecting the campground to the central park area, and a scenic boardwalk that leads through a canopy of cypress and oak trees. Additional amenities include a beach volleyball area, playground, fishing dock, picnic pavilions, and amphitheater.
Admission: Free

15. Little Econ Greenway—Orlando

This 7.4-mile scenic paved trail is ideal for walking, jogging, biking, or skating. It is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as osprey, hawks, turtles, and gators.  There are picnic areas, a butterfly garden, and canoe trails as well. 
Admission: Free

16. Mead Botanical Garden—Winter Park

Close to downtown Orlando, Mead Botanical Garden offers the perfect blend of learning and play. Kids can wander nature trails, watch for wildlife, explore the butterfly garden, and cool off in a shallow creek during warm days.
Admission: Free

17. Oakland Nature Preserve—Oakland

This 128-acre preserve is just west of Orlando. Start your visit with a trip to the museum and education center to see the live fish and turtle exhibits. From there, families can explore a boardwalk that leads to a pavilion overlooking Lake Apopka, or one of multiple color-coded hiking trails. Kids love the nature play area, with stations set up to explore and play. The preserve also hosts annual events like Nature Fest and Pumpkin Glow.
Admission: Free, donations appreciated

18. Orlando Wetlands—Christmas

The Orlando Wetlands is a 1,650-acre manmade wetland, as well as a top birding destination and home to an estimated 1,700 alligators. There are more than 20 miles of hiking trails within the park. Trail maps are available at the education center and at the visitor pavilion, which also houses live animals and multimedia displays. Bicycling and horseback riding are popular on the trails as well.
Admission: Free, but donations are accepted

RELATED: Dude Ranches and More Places for Kids to Play Cowboy in Florida

Trails at Palm Island Park lead to Mount Dora lighthouse and the Gilbert Park playground. 

19. Palm Island Park—Mount Dora

A family favorite of ours, this 8-acre preservation area includes a boardwalk overlooking Lake Dora as well as a one-mile looped nature trail. Nearby, visitors can enjoy a paved walking trail and playground at Gilbert Park, the Mount Dora lighthouse, and a short walk to the shops and restaurants in beautiful downtown Mount Dora.
Admission: Free

20. Peghorn Nature Park—St. Cloud

Peghorn Nature Park offers a mix of nature and history with scenic trails, an old schoolhouse, blacksmith area, and educational center. Families can enjoy a small playground, outdoor classroom, community gardens, and shaded picnic spots.
Admission: Free

21. Shingle Creek Regional Park—Kissimmee

Visitors at this park can choose from a variety of paved trails, accessible for stroller and wheelchairs. Guests can also enjoy a visit to Pioneer Village, a collection of historic structures including a 1898 Cracker House and a 1900 general store. There is also a playground that kids will love.
Admission: Park admission is free; Pioneer Village costs $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 4-12, under 4 free

22. Tibet-Butler Preserve—Orlando

This wildlife preserve near Orlando's theme parks includes miles of easy hiking trails and a large nature center with a variety of displays and exhibits. There is also a butterfly garden, sandbox, and picnic area.
Admission: Free

23. Trimble Park—Mount Dora

Overlooking the Harris Chain of Lakes, this shaded park and campground offers a 1.3-mile loop trail that is easy for all ages. There is also a boat ramp, fishing piers, two playground areas, and picnic pavilions.
Admission: Free

RELATED: Family-Friendly Boat Trips in the Orlando Area

Kids will love the "cat walk" at Trout Lake Nature Center.

24. Trout Lake Nature Center—Eustis

This 230-acre wildlife preserve features family-friendly interpretive trails, a scenic boardwalk to a lakefront pavilion, narrow “catwalk” boardwalks, and a fun swinging bridge for kids to explore. The onsite museum includes wildlife displays, outdoor turtle exhibits, and a hands-on touch table in the educational center.
Admission: $5 per vehicle

25. Wekiwa Springs State Park—Apopka

The highlight of this park is the first-magnitude natural spring, but there are more than 25 miles of trails to explore as well. Visitors might spot white-tailed deer, gopher turtles, turkeys, and possibly a bobcat or Florida black bear. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping are also popular at this park. Kids can enjoy a playground area as well.
Admission: $6 per vehicle

Photos by Charlotte Blanton