I was at a library and saw there were two geocaches here so off I went !…read moreThe park attendant was very friendly and the park itself was very quiet and quite beautiful. I live in The Villages and it was nice to see some real nature, bugs and all.

I absolutely love camping and the nature but I also loce being able to shower in a regular shower…read moreat the end of the day and I still enjoy the ability.to be able to access electricity still.

Kicking off the new year on a new trail - and it was a great one! This trail is part of the Majorie…read moreHarris Carr Cross Florida Greenway that stretches from the Gulf to the St Johns River, the Greenway is a Florida State Park. This address takes you to the Landbridge Trailhead (approximately 1.4 miles NE of the actual I-75 Landbridge) and has separate parking and trails for equestrians -vs- hikers and bikers which is nice. There are bathrooms, a water bottle filler, a bike wash station, a few picnic tables, a bike tool station (although the air hose was cut) and all of it very well maintained given the impressive number of acres. The mountain bike trail intersected the paved trail so when we had enough bumps (hello, beginner here?!) we could take the paved trail a little while longer and all the back, thank goodness.

Great hike easy to moderate difficulty (not totally flat) make sure to bring water and stay…read morehydrated interesting to stand above I75 and watch the traffic pass below

Gorgeous. Wild. Real Florida. Trails were in great shape,…read moretrail markers well maintained. Loved it.

Went on a nice easy hike here at Flat Island Preserve. The trails are well maintained, but can get…read morea little muddy if it's been raining recently. We took the 'red' route which brought us to the canal. About half way through there was an actual boardwalk that was above the water/swampy area. Walking there it was really cool to see the forest of palms. We also saw plenty of butterflies and geckos. No alligator sightings in the canal.

This park runs along the Palatlakaha River and encompasses 318 acres. It's huge...with lots to do…read more The park is divided into two sections. One section is the Passive Wildlife Conservation Area and the other half is the Gateway. The Gateway is a combination of Active Recreation and natural areas. The dog park just off of the parking area and the tennis court/pickle ball courts are very popular. Past that there are nice hiking trails, workout areas , pavilions, gardens and more. This is a nice area to visit. It's clean, safe and well marked.

This is a great park with numerous trails through the woods by the creek as well as the fields. The…read moreButterfly Pavilion used to be very nice with labeled plants and space between with a layout that invited you to stroll. It's purpose I thought was to educate but it does not seem to be kept up. I used to be able to drive there when I took care of my Mom but it looks like your not supposed to mow which is a shame too for those that cannot walk that far. They have a sports complex with pickleball and tennis, a dog park and softball field all in good shape. There is a short cement trail at this area along with a short trail to walk your dog. Dogs are not allowed in the rest of the park. Everything on this area seems well maintained. We ride our bikes there but then there are no bike trails, just hiking. Beautiful natural place that was reclaimed from a previous cattle farm.

This is a beautiful park!!! They have bathrooms, pavilions for picnics. air pump for bike tires,…read moresun screen dispenser and more. There is plenty of parking and the trails are well maintained. I enjoyed the view from the look out tower and appreciated plenty of signage along the way.

This is one of my favorite trails in the area that a lot of people don't really know about. It is…read morean easy pathway to walk and varies from gravel to paved and then even into just grass. You do need to watch the weather because if you're trying to do the loop it can get a little too marshy back there to make it possible. Bring bug spray. The horseflies almost carried me away. If you'd like to look at nature and just get outside and walk this is a great spot to do it. Watch your footing because some of the spots do get a little slick.

Wow! What a breath of fresh air this nature preserve can be when you are sick of the craziness of…read moreeveryday life. This park includes a visitor's center, multiple hiking trails, and a cute garden area with a gopher tortoise and salcutta tortoise living their best lives. Make sure to check out the Osprey Overlook as there is a boardwalk that overlooks a large lake with plenty of opportunity to see wildlife including otters, gators, and turtles. Honestly, I feel like this is the one park in Orlando where you can actually go hiking. All of the trails here are on mossy/swampy forest floor with no paved walkways. This is good to keep in mind if you are trying to rollerblade or bike ride as there are multiple tree roots on the trails, so probably best to leave these items at home and witch to trail shoes. This also means that some of the trails may be washed out when you visit, especially if going in the summer months. Actually, I would recommend skipping a visit if it has rained less than 24 hours before going as you will not be able to see as much as you would like. Overall, there is easy parking, great hiking, and excellent photo opportunities. Worth a trip if you are in the Orlando area!

You better think twice before you wear your favorite hiking shoes cause things might get a little…read moremuddy! During rainy season some of the trails even close down due to flooding. But for the most of the year this preserve is about three miles of nice, flat hiking. We even spotted some osprey and a tortoise sunbathing in the middle of the trail on the way out.

It's so beautiful to see crystal clear water once you've there it's all about nature and rebootingread more

From Tampa, it took an hour and 30 minutes to get to the river. We first wanted to take a swim in…read morethe swimming area so we went there first before it got really crazy. The area is a bit small and there isn't really a lot of sun spots for you to chill at. It is cool to experience once but I think if you tube, you still will be able to get a swim in because parts of the river are pretty deep. After the swim area, we headed to the tubing section. It is a 15 minute drive from the main park entrance. The fee was 54 for two people that had an annual pass. Highly recommend bringing a small cooler with snacks and drinks and an extra tube for it. It took us about 2 hours to float back to our car and the river is very calm and relaxing. I've floated a river in San Antonio but wasn't as nice as Rainbow springs. Very clean and the water is sooo clear. Overall, really enjoyed our day visit to this state park!

Unbelievable I can't believe this but only 10 months ago we visited a beautiful park and I was…read moreexcited to take dog back during cool weather. There's no more Park!! It's a trail with a thin line of forest on each side and mass production of houses on either side of the trail and trees. We tried to go off the trail to find more nature but they have destroyed it. The Deep Wound: How Environmental Destruction Harms Human and Animal Healing In the natural world, forests are not just ecosystems--they are sanctuaries for healing and life. When forests are destroyed, the impact ripples beyond what the eye can see. From a trauma EcoTherapy and Shamanic perspective, the loss of these sacred spaces profoundly affects both human and animal well-being, cutting us off from the very source of life and spiritual restoration. Forests as Sacred Healing Spaces For millennia, forests have been places where humans and animals alike retreat to heal. The earth beneath our feet, the ancient trees, and the rhythmic cycles of nature hold a profound wisdom that facilitates physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. For those carrying the weight of trauma, nature is not just a place to visit--it is a partner in the healing process. EcoTherapy recognizes that human trauma is intricately linked to the trauma of the earth. Just as humans suffer from wounds of the psyche, the destruction of the environment mirrors and exacerbates those wounds. Forests provide safety, quiet reflection, and an energetic container to process deep pain. When these spaces are destroyed, we lose a vital source of healing. The Animal Kingdom's Silent Suffering Animals, too, seek refuge in forests, not only for survival but for their own innate healing. Trees provide shelter and medicine, while ecosystems offer nourishment and safety. When their homes are destroyed, animals experience displacement, stress, and often death. This destruction severs the ancient relationship of mutual healing between humans and animals--relationships where animals often serve as guides, teachers, and mirrors for our own emotional landscapes. The Consequences of Disconnection When we lose access to nature, our collective trauma deepens. Urban environments, stripped of living ecosystems, amplify feelings of isolation, anxiety, and grief. Without forests to retreat to, trauma survivors are cut off from the natural cycles that regulate the nervous system and reconnect us to a sense of belonging. From a Shamanic perspective, every living being carries a soul contract with the Earth. Trees, animals, and humans are interconnected through unseen threads of spiritual purpose. When forests are razed, these sacred agreements are shattered, leaving open wounds in the physical and energetic worlds. The destruction of nature is not only ecological--it is a spiritual betrayal that fractures our relationship with the Earth Mother herself. Healing Through Sacred Reciprocity Healing these wounds requires a return to reciprocity--a sacred exchange of care between humans and the Earth. By protecting forests, we protect the sanctuaries where healing can occur for both people and animals. Through EcoTherapy practices, we can reconnect with the natural world, remembering that as we care for the Earth, the Earth cares for us. It is our responsibility to stand as guardians of the forests, to preserve the living beings who inhabit them, and to ensure future generations have access to the profound healing that only nature can provide. In the heart of every tree and every creature, there is a truth--when we destroy the Earth, we destroy ourselves. Pamela Nations-Weissman (Namdag Tsomo) Shamanic Life Path Coach, EcoTherapist, Hypnotherapist, and Trauma Specialist "Truth lives in The Dark - It's up to each of us to bring our Truth into the Light and share it with the world. It is our duty as human beings on this planet to do so." I was saddened and sickened by this visit. tried to post photos of the massacre but wasn't able to get yelp site to cooperate.

"Withlacoochee State Trail is a 46-mile (74 km) long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in…read moreFlorida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the longest paved rail trail in Florida." Probably the best paved trail in Florida. A little over 46 miles one way and has a lot of very scenic spots along the way. It is in Florida so it's fairly flat but it does have some elevation changes and some overpass over the busier/wider state roads on the route. Multiple trailheads w parking lot and restrooms. My favorite trailhead is the one in Inverness. Beautiful town along the route.

Great trial to connect to nature. Lots of wildlife and natural Floridian terrain. 10/10read more

This is a pretty nice trail. It's a 7 mile trail with plenty of things to see like the St John's…read moreRiver. I recommend coming early in the morning to avoid the Florida heat. You'll definitely feel the mugginess in the afternoon. Though it is a popular place to hike. It was actually quiet and peaceful. It's an easy trail but I wanted to challenge myself so I did it with a weighted vest on my back. In fact, I passed a few other hikers with weights on too . so if you're training for something, this place is it.

Super nice & quiet place to visit on the weekdays (not sure about weekends). Went on a long bike…read moreon the berm along the river to a shelter. Lots of birding (and one alligator-Eek!). About 2.5 miles and back to the Blue House. Worth the stop!

Beautiful peaceful look along a grassy burn along the river. Perfect late afternoon walk @1 hour…read moreof solitude and quiet