As we slowly move out of the summer heat, the urge to go for a walk without melting into the pavement starts to return. What better way to get those steps in than by heading out into nature? While St. Augustine has plenty of amazing trails along the beaches and throughout downtown, northern St. Johns County offers an abundance of beautiful walking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails with views of the St. Johns River, the Tolomato River, and the smaller lakes and creeks that wind through our county. It’s time to go touch grass, watch the birds, and take in all the beautiful flora and fauna these trails have to offer.
For first time trail-goers, the biggest thing to be aware of is wildlife and also of other peoples space. Nature trails in Florida are absolutely stunning and offer a perfect reprieve from our busy lives. Walking outside is also great during morning hours or closer to the evening after rain showers during the summer and through most hours in the day during any season where it doesn’t feel like the inside of an oven. If you are starting out, trails with pavement or gravel are perfect for beginners since they do tend to be more popular and still offer that picturesque view of the world around us. Moreover, it is also important to be aware of signage throughout trails like posts or things that establish who is able to go down certain paths.
Before heading into the list as well, some of these trails and parks either run through the neighborhoods they are associated with or are managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District, an environmental regulatory agency for the State of Florida dedicated to water conservation, water quality, and water supply.
Notably, all of these trails are home to wildlife, so proper vigilance is essential while hiking or walking. Visitors should bring bug spray, wear appropriate clothing, and familiarize themselves with basic guidelines for safely interacting with nature. It’s also worth noting that many of these trails provide trash bins, and some even offer waste bags to make dog walking more convenient.
Gourd Island Conservation Area
Back in December 2010, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) acquired Gourd Island and donated it to the St. Johns River Water Management District as mitigation for wetland impacts elsewhere. Located just off CR 210, Gourd Island is a beautiful swamp that formed a gourd-shaped island, making it a perfect destination for biking, hiking, and nature watching. The preserve features two primary trails: the White Blaze Trail at 0.8 miles and the Red Blaze Trail at 2.5 miles.
Gourd Island does not have restrooms, but it does offer accessible parking off Russell Sampson Road and a kiosk with a trail map to help visitors navigate the routes. Additionally, while the trails are well marked, they may become muddy during the rainy season since they are unpaved. This trail is perfect for patrons heading home from downtown Jacksonville and makes for a great stop to break up the commute after a long 9-to-5 workday.
10170-10310 Russell Sampson Rd, St Johns, FL 32259
Stokes Landing Conservation Area
Stokes Landing Conservation Area was the first acquisition by the St. Johns River Water Management District within the coastal basin of the Tolomato River, purchased to protect water resources, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. With about 2.5 miles of sandy and gravel trails, visitors have the opportunity to see a wide variety of bird and animal species, including wood storks, red-tailed hawks, wading birds, and otters, while enjoying stunning views of the Tolomato River.
This trail is perfect for nature lovers, especially those interested in conservation or observing the area’s diverse plant species. The quieter wooded sections pair beautifully with sweeping views of the marshes along the Tolomato River, creating a peaceful and scenic experience. Stokes Landing also features an observation point and tower, offering even better views of the surrounding landscape. Located between the Palencia neighborhood and the St. Augustine Airport off Lakeshore Drive, the conservation area also offers accessible parking and a picnic shelter.
415-599 Lakeshore Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32095
Trails in Rivertown
Over in Rivertown, there are trails right along the river beneath beautiful oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Visitors can watch boats pass by, admire the skyline of Green Cove Springs, and hear the calls of mourning doves while walking about 1.5 miles of paved and gravel trails. Walking in Rivertown is perfect for after-work dog walks, an after-lunch stroll to get some steps in, or a small gathering with friends on one of its many grassy areas. Along the trails are three distinct river overlooks, including a larger dock that extends to a pavilion where visitors are greeted with views of the Shands Bridge, construction of the new First Coast Expressway to the south, and Green Cove Springs to the northwest.
On breezier days, you can hear the trees rustle and the water gently lap against the riverbank. These moments are absolutely divine for regrouping, taking a few deep breaths, and letting nature soothe you. The trail is also perfect for bird-watching, with frequent sightings of grackles and other native birds, as well as wildlife such as squirrels and raccoons. Accessible parking is available off SR 13, and portions of the trail are gravel, offering more of a hiking feel. Near the pier are restrooms, park benches, and accessible parking spaces. The trails also connect to the Rivertown neighborhood, which occasionally features food trucks and offers additional trails designated for biking and walking.
4065 State Rd 13 N, St Johns, FL 32259
Alpine Groves Park + Trails
With over 1.6 miles of trails, Alpine Groves Park sits in the Switzerland neighborhood of northern St. Johns County. Stretching along the St. Johns River, Alpine Groves Park features an ADA-accessible trail, picnic tables, a fishing pier, restrooms, a pavilion, butterfly gardens, and scenic river views. Additionally, the property is home to a historic structure dating back to the 1800s. Ruth Harris Bennett and her husband, Wally, sold the property to the Trust for Public Land in 2000. Later, in 2003, the Trust worked with the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department to obtain a grant to purchase the property with the understanding that it would remain a passive park for the public to enjoy.
What encapsulates Alpine Groves Park most is its scenery. With massive oak trees draped in Spanish moss and beautiful views of the river, patrons get a glimpse of local history, peaceful waterfront scenery, and a great place to get some steps in. The butterfly gardens are dedicated to Ruth Harris Bennett and are maintained by the Friends of Alpine Groves, who offer monthly tours of the park and share its history as an orange plantation in the early 1900s.
2060 FL-13, Switzerland, FL 32259
Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation
The Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area hosts more than 2.2 miles of trails, including a 1.6-mile loop that is perfect for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. The conservation area spans northern and central St. Johns County and is composed of a series of large swamps, planted pine forests, and several small cypress domes. Together, these swamps form the headwaters of six major tributary systems. Three of these tributaries—Turnbull Creek, Mill Creek, and Sampson Creek—flow into the St. Johns River. Two others, Moultrie Creek and Red House Branch, discharge into the Matanzas River, while Stokes Creek flows into the Tolomato River.
The conservation efforts at Twelve Mile Swamp have been facilitated through the St. Johns River Water Management District. The area encompasses approximately 22,000 acres of land that was once designated for timber production but is now open for public recreation.
Accessible parking is available just off International Golf Parkway on the north side of the highway, a short distance west of U.S. 1. The conservation area protects the water quality and quantity of these creek systems while benefiting the groundwater and water supply for this region of St. Johns County. It also provides a buffer for a wellfield that supplies drinking water throughout the county. Common wildlife sightings include white-tailed deer, foxes, songbirds, and a variety of snakes.
440 International Golf Pkwy, St. Augustine, FL 32095
Nocatee Preserve
Nocatee Preserve is perfect for individuals who live in or near the Ponte Vedra Beach area, as well as people heading home from Jacksonville Beach. The designated trail covers approximately 5.13 miles, with a mountain biking trail spanning about 3.84 miles. The preserve is situated south of the Palm Valley Bridge on the natural estuary directly across from the Guana Preserve.
Designed to offer future access to the Intracoastal Waterway through canoe and kayak launches, the trails are the first phase of the Nocatee Preserve’s management plan, which allows for passive recreational improvements such as natural and paved trails, overlooks, boardwalks, and environmental signage. The trail also features accessible parking and a horse washing station. Moreover, the park is perfect for photography and bird-watching, with native flora and fauna found throughout the trail.
210 Davis Park Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
Beluthahatchee Park
Described as a literary landmark, Beluthahatchee Park was home to folklorist and human rights activist Stetson Kennedy, who lived there until his passing in 2011. At this historic homestead, visitors can enjoy the beautiful Beluthahatchee Lake, walking trails, and stunning views of Kennedy’s home.
In addition, trail-goers can enjoy bird- and wildlife-watching, as the Beluthahatchee enclave serves as a wildlife habitat, rookery, and roosting area for ospreys, eagles, snowy egrets, tricolored herons, white ibises, little blue herons, wood storks, black-crowned night herons, wood ducks, anhingas, purple gallinules, boat-tailed grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and many other species. The park also offers accessible parking and picnic pavilions, making it a perfect place to learn about the history of a notable Jacksonville and St. Augustine writer.
1523 State Rd 13 N, Fruit Cove, FL 32259
Trout Creek Community Park and Boat Ramp
Located just off SR 13, south of the Shands Bridge, Trout Creek Community Park and Boat Ramp features an air-conditioned community center that serves the public, including senior citizens, voters, and other members of the community. In addition, the park offers nature trails, a boardwalk, and a boat ramp. Visitors can also enjoy BBQ grills, a gaga ball court, a playscape, picnic tables, and accessible restrooms. Along Trout Creek, patrons are treated to scenic views of the waterway as it flows west into the St. Johns River. The trail is approximately a half-mile long and loops around the inside perimeter of the park. Since its establishment, the park has served the public with a mission that reflects St. Johns County’s sustained commitment to protecting its natural resources through habitat restoration, community involvement, and ongoing environmental stewardship.
6795 Collier Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32092
View all these locations on Google Maps here.
