I entered at the Jones East Trailhead, which has plenty of parking and also has restrooms at the entrance to the trailhead. Walking the trailhead was relatively simple and relaxing. I did encounter a few other people (they were either walking like myself or on a bicycle). The path itself is somewhat narrow, but it was enough for us to pass each other with no real inconvenience. Little Big Econ State Forest is a pretty cool place to check out. Walking the path, it was easy to forget that you were just outside of a major United States city in the twenty-first century. I seek out these spots where I can walk through the trees and forget the troubles of living in a modern city in today's modern world. Little Big Econ State Forest is a cool place to seek out if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. read more

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This state forest is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We highly recommend it. They offer maps at the start of the trail. So lush and peaceful. The stream along side most of the trail is beautiful. There are many benches along the path that offer a nice view of the scenery with shade. We took our pups and hiked for about 2 miles. The hikes range from 3 - 10 miles. I saw they do offer camping as well. Make sure to pack some water. It was nice to see many tamiles and couples enjoying the outdoors. We loved the variety of scenery and that it has lots of natural shade throughout the hike. read more

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Little Big Econ State Forrest has about 15 miles of trails...great option for hiking, horseback riding, biking, watching wildlife, etc. For me and my Mountain Biking perspective, the trails are mainly Cross Country type (flat). It has a blend of green rated trails (easy) and blue rated (more difficult) trails. Most parts of the trails are sandy. Following the blue trails, leads you riding alongside the Econ River (Econlockhatkee) where you see people canoeing, hiking, fishing, etc. Majority of the trails loops around so you will not get lost. Well marked trails; some trail signs even shows 911 location identifier, in case you get injured, get lost or need help. Parking lot is spacious and the best part, admission is free (if you enter Jones East Trailhead). There is an accessible restroom, as well as a bike washing area. Additionally, the locals here are really friendly. The only tip I can give you here, is to come here during the colder months, because some of the trails are not so shaded and can get downright hot. Also this park (being near the river), you will encounter some bugs and pests, which are prevalent during the hotter months. Other than that, if you are into exploring new trails, new adventures, new parks, then this is one to check out. Happy Trails 2U !!! read more

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I visited yesterday to explore Flagler Trail South via the Snowhill Road Trailhead. This entrance has a circular parking lot which is free, and a map for viewing before you cross the road (known as Jacobs Trail) to start your journey. It was a beautiful Sunday and there were several hikers and bikers on the trail. Everyone seemed like they were doing their own thing and enjoying themselves. Groups of friends and families passed by (including parents and a few small children), and some pet owners were walking their dogs (I encountered some REALLY excited puppers!). It felt safe, friendly, and inviting. The trail starts off basic and sandwiched between houses and the street. I heard some gunshots from the nearby shooting range within my first few miles. As you continue along, it becomes more secluded. The walking path is very clear and has occasional markers with mileage and coordinates. There are just a few benches and plenty of shade thanks to the trees lining much of the trail. There are no restrooms, so if you are exploring Flagler Trail South then plan accordingly. Please be mindful that yes, encounters with snakes, alligators, and other wildlife are very possible in the Little Big Econ State Forest. I veered off from the main path onto what was actually meant to be a biking trail, and I saw a rattlesnake on the ground while crossing one of the wooden walkways. I snapped a quick photo of it at a distance before fleeing across the bridge. Pay attention on the trails, and keep your pets by your side on a leash for their safety (and yours). The only other wildlife I saw were birds and a tiny turtle relaxing on a water log. This is likely because my adventure got cut short by fatigue (it's a lot of walking and I'm out of shape...). I ended up getting a bit turned around after my detour (yep, I'm pretty terrible with directions!) so thankfully my GPS guided me to the main trail where I walked back to the parking lot with no problems. If you visit, make sure to come prepared. Comfortable shoes and water are a must! To cover more ground at a faster pace, a bike looks like the way to go...or even on horseback since equestrians are known to ride these trails as well. read more

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Easy 5 stars. What great place to go for a hike, run, or bike! Plenty of tree coverage and different scenery. A nice change of pace. Almost forget you're in a city. Tips: Make sure to use restroom before you head out. Bring water and maybe a small snack. Watch for bikes. Lots of people sharing the trail. It can get busy. Definitely worth going. read more

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2017's Yelp 100 Challenge 59/100 Gorgeous park with beautiful hiking trails and the most gorgeous scenery I've ever seen! We found this hike a few weeks ago and finally were able to do it, it's in Oviedo, about 25 mins from Winter Springs and once you get here it's like you've been transported somewhere else. You're met by a parking area that is semi surrounded by a wooden gate with white sand covering the whole lot, you park anywhere you want and walk through one of the many openings in the gates. We decided to not take the walking trail and opted for the bike trail, which had some roots you'd need to look out for, but it's no problem. While walking the trail you'll go from thin trees and very little brush, to trees over 50 feet high and brush so big and thick you'd think you were in the jungle. After walking through this for about a mile, you come to an outcropping that overlooks a lake that is a copper color, but very clear and you can see straight through to the bottom. It's completely surrounded by white, sandy beaches and that's where all the beauty ends. After wandering the beach for a while I happened upon an alligator and took off running through the brush. So I got my nature and exercise fix in. Go visit this park but stay on the walking trail unless you have a bike or come with a group! read more

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This park is absolutely beautiful. There are bike trails, places to rent the bikes for it. Sea planes that come and take off. Wonderful restaurants, beautiful art along the way. Theres Indian totem poles with history written on plaques in front. The atmosphere of the whole thing was very relaxing. read more

Beautiful,peaceful if you like nature it a place to go,to nature at it's raw, horse back,camping fishing what ever

If you want a true Florida-style hike, this has it all. Not only does it have the moss-covered oaks and sandy pathways, but it runs alongside the Little Big Econ River. I have hiked here many times, but most recently paddled through it. We put in at the Little Big Econ Canoe Launch at the bridge on 419 and paddled the 8 miles downstream to the take-out on Snowhill Road (we had someone help us out with the drop-off and pick-up). The water was running high, since a tropical storm had come through a few days prior, and the currents helped us knock out the paddle in less than 4 hours. It's a low-intermediate skill paddle--I wouldn't toss a brand-new paddler in at 419--but it's not a difficult trip, either. We saw multiple types of birds and (only) one gator, but no turtles that day. We did see just a few other groups the whole time, from newbies to a couple guys who seem to do this trip weekly. There are multiple small sandy beaches that make for easy pull-over spots; a few classic, rickety river swings; and lots of areas where you can climb out right onto the trail and go for a hike. We got to chat with some mountain bikers during this trip, too! The hiking, biking, or paddling will give you a great day of fun in nature--bring the sunscreen, pack the picnic basket, and enjoy the day! read more

Little Big Econ State Forest - Paddling with a slightly high river inside the state forest - Hiking Near Me - Geneva, Florida

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Found this location a few years ago and I LOVE hiking here! The trails can go on for hours! My feet is always itching for an adventure so Little Big Econ definitely win my heart. There's so much discovery in the wilderness and you can also horseback, mountain bike, camp and fishing! There's a $2 fee if you enter from Barr street. The Kolokee trail is a good start as it follows the river and it has some pretty views. Huge place you can roam around and lots of wildlife. Soooo, one time I hiked for about 5 miles and had to head back quickly as it was getting dark. I was alone AND my phone died lol! I wasn't afraid, maybe a little, but good thing the path here is well marked and easy to follow! Sighhh! Highly recommend to bring extra power bank and a friend along! Also lots of water! :) read more

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This is an easy to hike area of the Florida State Forest system. We enjoyed walking down by the Econ river and looking for Florida flowers. It was well kept and a great morning hike. read more

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Little Big Econ State Park is a beautiful place to enjoy some hiking and enjoying Florida flora and fauna. We hiked the Kolokee loop trail and it was gorgeous. With the large amount of rain that Central Florida has been getting the river overflowed and blocked part of the right hand side of the trail so we explored more of the trail from the left side. One thing to note that's different is that payment is no longer accepted at the parking lot due to COVID19. All day, annual or camping passes must be purchased online. The Kolokee loop trail ran along the river bank most of the time and provided views of flowing waters as well as areas where the water was covered in plants. The trail is mostly shaded by the canopy, but there are some open fields that are bright and sunny. We saw alligators, frogs, toads, butterflies, dragon flies, green grasshoppers, and a variety of moss and mushrooms, just to name a few. There are many wooden bridges where the path crossed the river that are fun to cross. I even found a cute little snowman figurine on an old palm tree! The campsites have a picnic table and grill to enjoy. I would highly recommend this park for anyone looking to hike, camp, bike, or horseback ride while enjoying Florida's wilderness. read more

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Nice trail. A good distance with some height differentials. A nice view of the not-so-nice muddy river along the way. Spotted a wild boar on our hike! read more

My best friend and I had a beautiful time hiking these trails with her dog. The cleared paths are relatively clean and unpolluted, the people who bike the trail are usually mindful of other people and friendly, and there are lots of shady spots to sit. I look forward to coming back here with my bike. read more

Little Big Econ State Forest - a board walk over a swamp down one of the footpath only trails - Hiking Near Me - Geneva, Florida

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This hike has it all Inclines, a beautiful river, wooded shaded picturesque. Dog friendly Make sure to bring your camera you will want to capture the beauty read more

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Loved this little MB in the middle of nowhere really. My husband and I rented a yurt in Geneva Fl for the weekend and went looking for a MB park and we found little big Econ. Not terribly challenging but some really great spots! I'll bet it's really lovely in the spring especially riding along the river. Will be back someday soon! read more

This is a refuge in an area where we have an abnormally low number of actual trails we have for running/biking in a state that is surrounded by forests... I just don't get it. I come here for the Flagler trail, which is on the now abandoned railroad known as the Okeechobee Branch of the Florida East Coast Railway. I'm entering by the Snow Hill trail head (3290 Snow Hill Rd, Chuluota, FL 32766) and venture northwards on the trail where it meets with the Florida trail and the region where most horse back trailers are. Along the way you see many offshoots from the trail for mountain bikers etc. As with all county paths, you will have the mile markers stating the path you're on and from my understanding the bike paths have colored dots on them as well. All of these paths are within the Little Big Econ Forest with multiple entrance areas. If you enter from the main St John entrance there are restrooms and such in that area. Again remember this not a cemented path, so expect to see wild animals and have the path way get narrow/wide according to the landscape. I strongly suggest bug spray for ticks in tick season. Just have fun and enjoy this wonderful hidden forest in the Oviedo area! read more

This park located in eastern Seminole county features the Econlockhatchee River and dense forest. The forest is open during daylight hours for visitors to enjoy hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, bicycling, wildlife viewing and picnicking. There is seasonal hunting, so please check the website to find out where that takes place and make sure you're not planning to hike in those areas. There are 16 miles of hiking trails available. We usually go in late Fall - early Spring, pack a lunch and make a half-day trip out. We made the mistake of going in August one year and quickly turned around when we noticed we were covered in mosquitos. Part of the hiking trail that converges with the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. I read that we could see over 160 bird species, including bald eagles, crested caracaras, sandhill cranes, wood storks, swallow tailed kites and Bachman's sparrows. Enjoy your trip and time in nature, and don't forget your water and a snack! read more

They have actual toilets and sinks with running water!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great for camping :-) read more

Good and easy trails. We arrived at around 2pm and were back around 5pm. We walked about 4 miles starting at the main parking lot, heading north, then west along the south edge of the river on the bike trail then south and east back to the parking lot. Bring water and snacks. There were maps but I don't know how one can navigate with a paper map. Make sure you have a phone with GPS and fully charged. We didn't experience a lot of bugs but it's early February and it has been pretty cold. Beautiful birds, water streams and rivers, and quiet peaceful trails. read more

The trailhead off Snow Hill Rd. is my entrance to the Flagler Trail through Little Big Econ. There is free parking here. It is beautiful, especially on summer evenings, when the dense foliage provide cover from the sun and the breeze blows through gently. But don't get stuck in there after dark. There are a LOT of critters around. Everything from armadillo to spiders to snakes to cranes can be found among the forest plants. I also love morning hikes, when the dew is fresh. The trail itself is mostly sandy, but firms up as you go along. There are some benches along the way to mark turnarounds and for resting spots if you need them. The path is pretty narrow in places, where only one person can pass at a time. There are several offshoots, but I'm a big chicken, so I prefer to stay on the main path. If you want, you can go for up to 10 miles. The trail does flood in some parts where the river is over the banks, but in three years, I've seen that happen exactly once. Take bug spray, especially during tick season. I am convinced that all of the nicest people in Florida are on this trail. It's full of runners, hikers/walkers, and bikers all day every day. People are polite and look out for one another. Enjoy this hidden beauty! read more

I love coming out to this park because its usually empty in the evening. The bike trails are great and have some fun dips and turns. I would say an intermediate level for mountain biking. read more

A beautiful location, nice trails. Went with UYE and it was a fun morning with some cool peeps .

Best hike in Seminole County! Kids love seeing the river and hiking the trail. Easy to hike.

These Trails are Great. Lots to see especially the Econ River........I recommend this place to everyone.