Its so perfect. If you are stressed by the modern world visit here rinse and repeat until zen is reached. The loop is amazing. Bring bug spray, hiking equipment.

Very relaxing hike. it is 7.1 miles so be aware of your own limit. Recommend to bring water and a small snack. Overall the terrain is not very diverse or interesting, but this does not take away form the joy of being out in nature.

This is a beautiful park. Black Bear is located in the city along the river but when youre hiking you would never know it. There is a small parking area, so if there are lots of cars I could see this being an issue. The trail itself is a loop trail in which most of it is covered it a dense canopy. The trail is well maintained with lots of roots so be careful walking. There are lots of boardwalks for wildlife watching. Speaking of wildlife, we saw lots of alligators, soft shell turtles, water birds like white and blue herons. Butterflies, woodpeckers, raccoons, squirrels and deer. There is a picnic and camping area about 3.5 miles in. If you are planning on camping you will need a permit. We just stopped and ate lunch. This is not a extremely difficult trail but if you stop several times to enjoy the wildlife it will take you a couple of hours. We just hiked it during dry season so no mosquitoes. I highly recommend doing this trail.

Ok, so who would of thought I would be here!! I must say... Not me!! This trail was AWESOME!! Be site to bring water, mosquito spray, a phone and MOST important, COMFORTABLE tennis shoes or hiking shoes if you have them. 7 miles everyone, yes 7.. My family and I did it in 3 hours. I must say that after we were done, my legs were numb. Now you can take longer if you want to look at nature because there is plenty to look at and it is BEAUTIFUL. You might see gators or wild hogs which terrified me but I matched on like a soldier. Look down while you walk or you might be hugging the floor, lol. MOST definitively RECOMMEND if you love walking, nature or need to think about your life journey. ENJOY! I DID!!

Lovely cypress and huge live oaks trees on the flood plain of the St Johns River...lots of water birds, pileated woodpeckers and of course gators ...gorgeous

If you want an amazing walk in nature, you found it! What a beautiful trail, it is so beautifully woven into the landscape. Love that its a long trail, and you can be completely encompassed by the foliage. Its peaceful, and there is always something new to spot. Ive seen people walking alone, in groups, walking their dogs, etc. Its truly a versatile trail. I reccomened bring water, especially if you are bring pets or children along. If you plan on doing the entire trail be prepared to possibly spend a couple hours. If you dont want to do the entire trek, you can always turn around to make it shorter. Its fun either way.

Love hiking here. It is a 7.1 mile loop that crosses from Florida scrub and runs along the St. John. Lots of wildlife to see. There is about 80% shade cover on the trail. There are no bathrooms or water outlets available so come prepared.

Beautiful hiking trail. Can take a short two mile hike to the river and back or a long seven mile loop. A lot of animals to see. We saw a couple alligators, a turtle and some birds. We had a short legged dog with us so just took the two mile hike. It is nice and shaded so even on a hot day is not so bad.

This is a beautiful natural oasis right in the heart of Sanford, FL. Theres a lot of oversized trees, exotic wildlife and outdoor scenery.Black Bear Wilderness is pet friendly so we brought our dog Chloe with us.The trail itself is a 7.1 mile loop-so its ideal for hiking. Be careful when walking on the trail-as theres plenty of giant roots that can easily trip you.If youre lucky youll see deer, otters, alligators and BEARS! This is free outdoor recreation that allows you to practice social distancing- and explore a lovely hidden sanctuary rich in history and wildlife!

Awesome place to walk with the family. The loop is 7 miles, we usually go a ways down the river side and then come back. Almost always see alligators, lots of other wildlife too. Family favorite!

One of the only trails we visit on a regular basis. This place is very nice. We always see deer, or hogs, or gators, and more!

This trail is great for those that only want to hike, but if you like the views like I do and like to take pictures, this may not be the place.There are mosquitos that resemble airplanes, so bring repellent. Overall, is a good hike to exercise.

Wow this trail was beautiful! We saw SO MANY different animals! An armadillo, a baby alligator, an owl sitting just a yard from our heads! Amazing. But do note that the trail is 7mi and takes about 3 hours to complete, so i wouldnt recommend it to beginners

A few friends, my wife, and myself went here over Labor Day weekend. All in all, we had a great time. The trail, though there were a few squirrelly stretches, wasnt overly difficult. It is mostly shaded, so the Florida sun didnt beat down on you too hard. It took us right at three hours from start to finish. Saw some gators. Some birds. A few snakes. Some giant spiders. A lonely raccoon. Tons of animal tracks... The biggest factor in not rating this any higher though, is the amount of roots sticking up out of the ground. Obviously no ones fault. Wouldnt expect anyone to maintain it. Certainly dont want any trees harmed to clear a path either. It just forced us to look down 80% of the hike, missing a lot of the scenery. Every time wed look up, wed stub a toe, trip, or dang near roll an ankle from them.Definitely worth going through. Just keep an eye on all them sneaky roots!

Great Florida park in Sanford. We saw a panther run across the trail in front of us as well as heard several alligators making thier noise that they do. 7 miles of trail.

This place is a great hike but right now the pigmy rattlesnakes are everywhere so keep your head down while you are hiking. To see some of them check out IG mrloveiv.

It was an amazing adventure to take seeing as we havent ever visited this trail. It wasnt too cramped and it was just enough room to jog once you walk through the entrance. There is plenty of information in case you are worried of any wildlife in the area or plants to feel as if there is a concern. I cant wait to go back to walk and jog the 7.1 miles listed on the sign down the boardwalk.

We have hiked this trail for the past two weekends. Its always fun. Some of the animals we have seen. Deer right off the boardwalk. Alligators in the swamps, armadillo rooting for food, and a turkey fly out of the bushes.The hike its self is 7.1 miles. Some spots are very difficult in my opinion. How ever the beginning is pretty easy walking.Only downside is on weekends you can hear the boat traffic on st johns river when your close to it.

A 7 mile loop partly along the St. Johns river, featuring palm forests, live oaks, and my favorite -cyprus swamps. You can see hogs, deer, owls, and alligators. Some people like to run here. Its completely shaded.

Great for a summer hike since its shaded-7.1 miles in a loop so you cant get lost-if u have a hiking stick bring it to help traverse around some trees. Id suggest taking the right side of loop since itll b easier on the back end when u start to tire. Great time

Beautiful One of the coolest trails I have found. Wear bug spray and bring a good bit of water. Trail has many big roots that stick up so pay attention

Awesome wildlife and trails in beautiful nature! Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours walking.

Love, love, love, this nature trail. You can do a 2 mile (there and back) walk out to the St Johns river or the 7.1 mile loop (3-5 hrs). Great place for wildlife encounters and the natural landscape is enchanting. My husband is an awesome wildlife photographer and gets some great shots. We have seen many gators, a couple of bears, deer, wild boar, snakes, racoons, otters, and so many birds!

Excellent place for the hole family. My 2 yr old absolutely loved it she walked the hole 7.1 miles and half way again without any issues. I absolutely love nature and this place is perfect

A wonderfull trail that should take 3-5 hours depending on pace, and how often you stop to look around/ observe wildlife. Ive seen plenty of alligator, boar, skink, and even otter along this trail. Consider bringing a full boot if you own them. Ive seen three Pygmy Rattlesnake in my two trips here. They often do not rattle, and may just coil up in the center of the trail when approached. Keep your eyes open, as they are small in size and easy to miss while taking in the view.

Really nice trail. Beautiful scenery along the St. Johns River. It took about 3 1/2 hours to complete walking leisurely.

Nice trail. Peaceful and quiet for walking, hiking and checking out nature. Wear your mask.

Nice trail for hiking, also goes along the river. Good place to take kids. A good 7 mile or so hike, but can do as much as you like.

Ive hiked this trail numerous times over the past 2 years, and have always enjoyed the flora and fauna this designated wilderness offers. Alligators are a fairly common sight, and there are numerous variety of birds. Deer, raccoon and otters I have sighted, and yes, there are definitely bears in this area.The tremendous changes in the landscape depending upon the season, can vary greatly. It is a popular site, however and therefore the sense of solitude of being out in nature, will also vary widely depending on when one is on the trail, and how busy it is. The trail is usually well maintained, and only occasionally is the area closed, usually due to flooding or windfall (as in hurricane.)

Great trail, lots to look at and well maintained. However holy cow mosquitoes! Bring that bug repellent with you!

I come here every now and then just to unwind. The entire 7.1 miles is nice, when you have the time for it. If not, easily just turn around.I did go through a path Ive walked by several times, but never really went through. I think its the 2 mile trail, but I came out and wasnt sure where to go from there, so I just turned around. This trail was nice.Overall, if I dont stop, or make minimal stops, I can complete the whole thing in about 3.5 hours. Granted, Im young and walk relatively fast, so this will vary per person.I dont see many wildlife. The usual birds, butterflies, mosquitoes sometimes. Ive seen an alligator almost everytime Ive come, which is exciting.This is a great trail to come to if you ever want to get out for a few hours and dont know where to go, and dont want to spend money.Have fun!

Beautiful 7.1 mile loop trail bordering the Saint John River. The vast majority of the preserve is deeply shaded by a vibrant and diverse tree canopy. The trail is elevated on an earthberm between the river, tributaries, and swampland. There are many sections where exposed tree roots and poison ivy create the need for extra vigilance -- and all hikers should be alert for small grey/beige Pygmy Rattlesnakes, which and have been found coiled up in the middle of the trail or just to the side. Sand Hill Cranes, Blue Herons, Eagles, and other majestic birds can be spotted in many areas, and of course alligators come out to warm themselves on the sunny banks. A primitive campground marks the approximate midway point on the loop trail, and there is a picnic table as well as a small covered pavilion. The fairly new boardwalks are very sturdy, but can get slippery when its humid or sprinkling. The entire trail is well maintained, and an absolute joy to hike.

Great trail, lots of wildlife, mostly shaded, and perfect length for a half day hike.

Beautiful. Will be back for another hike soon. Plan to do the whole loop next time. Old Florida at its finest.

Couldnt believe we were still in Sanford lol. Feels like a whole diffrent world out there. I love hiking and have checked out most of the trails in the area. This is by far my favorite! There are so many different trails to choose from. If you love nature trails this is the perfect place to go!!! oooo yea it may be helpful to know that there are paper trail maps in the wooden box attached to the big trail map sign posted just before the trails Happy Trails

Havent done the full 7 mile hike but the one mile stretch is gorgeous. Takes you out of the rich downtown Heathrow area. Almost fantasy like with tons to explore. Took the dogs on the trail and they loved it. So much to see and smell

Love the scenery and wild life ! I got to see 2 deers crossing as we were hiking through the trails !

I like this trail personally, but be aware there are a lot of roots and some dips that you would have to cross. Also it is a 7.1 mile loop trail and you cannot cut through the middle. The parking is small and not paved and it does fill up on the weekend. I loved this trail because of all the wildlife we got to see. We saw many different varieties but no bears, we also saw a huge gator that I took a picture of. Bring plenty of water!

Great area, nice little walk on a sunny but not too hot day. In the 7 or so miles we got to see a lot of animals including a couple of alligators, hogs, tons of little geckos, a lot of types of birds, fish, and even a little otter family! Good way to break up a trip of theme parks

Great place to hike and take pictures. Very quiet and not super busy. Perfect place to disconnect and see the wildlife. Highly recommend

Great trail and lots of wildlife.This is an excellent reserve for a hike or outing with the family. It is a good trail for kids as well as adults. It would be excellent for a moderate trail ride.We saw alligators, many varieties of birds, hogs, and other animals.Bring water and snacks because it takes some time especially if you stop frequently to see the wildlife.

We got a late start so only did about 1 1/2 miles then back but next time we plan on doing the mile loop. Some beautiful cypress swamps on our half...cannot wait to do the rest

Rated moderate. Should be rated easy with a side-order of heavy traffic, kids, and dogs. Nice if youre out for a stroll in the shade, but not a hikers destination. Moving on to the next...

Such a cool trail. Make sure to wear ankle supported shoes and carry a walking stick. There are no restrooms as I be sure to stop and go beforehabd, there is a shell gas station close by. Some of the areas are hard to maneuver through and there are steep drop offs on both sides with a path that can be as wide as three feet and as narrow as one foot in some areas. Very cool if you want a different kind of hike. If you are unsteady or have issues with hand eye coordination skip this area. My kids are pretty athletic and could hold their own. Only you know your own kids ability. Just know that if they tripped over any of the thousands of large roots on the ground they could fall into the river.

Very intense expect to burn 1000 cals

Nice walk thru the back woods and along the river. 7 mile full loop, or turn back, your choice. Lots of Cypress trees and knees. Fla swamp on each side of the trail. Board walks where necessary. Saw a young gator, my daughter saw wild mama pig and piglets.

Great local hike..THIS is the REAL FLORIDA!7 miles along the St Johns River, across marshes via elevated walking paths and through oak and palm hammocks. Shaded 95% of the way. Depending on the time of day, bug spray may be necessary. The path can be a bit muddy (and therefore slippery) in places - but overall it is a well defined and stable path, for older or unsteady hikers a walking stick might be helpful. There is sufficient parking and maps are available at the trailhead. No water or facilities are available on the path so bring your own. Today, we saw countless squirrels, 2 pilliated woodpeckers, 3 feral hogs, a large tortoise on the path itself and a small alligator in one of the canals around mile #3.

I cant wait to visit this park again. You definitely need proper shoes and bug repellent. Beautiful unspoiled nature!

Beautiful morning. Got there early. Only one on the trail. Well marked and so happy for the mile markers.a

Beautiful spot. But the wildlife (snakes and alligators) made it a harrowing experience. The trail has water on the left and water on the right almost the entire way, and the trail is VERY NARROW. If you encounter anything on the trail, you have NOWHERE to go for safety.

Beautiful, moderately trafficked trail through cypress forests and beautiful lakeside views! Favorite trail in Florida. Took 3.5 hours.

Great hike, bring bug spray and hiking boot. Very tough to hike when wet so be careful for that too, we got rained on pretty hard and traction was an issue.

Best part was the walk and that areas provide shade, love to revisit soon.

Excellent rough country hiking.worth the trip.its beautiful there

What an exciting place to hike! Even though it was cool, we saw a water moccasin, pygmy rattle snake, gator, banded snake and a green snake. The 7.1 miles was good challenge for a beginning hiker like myself. Beautiful and serene.

Awesome trail. Well established. Campsite has 2 picnic tables, benches, and a basic shelter. We ended up setting our tent up underneath the shelter. Theres also a grill built into the fire pit. Plenty of wood and kindling around.

Awesome. Youll see gators, snakes, armadillos, possibly a bear (I havent seen one), etc. Tons of bugs. The trails get tight deep into the hike. The hike itself is intense and can take 3-5 hours. I honestly usually just come here to relax and observe the wild though.

Excellent short or long hike. Beautiful place!

One of my favorite hikes! Best place to see gators

It was humid/hot, but the wife and I loved it!

Excellent place for a great afternoon trail walk. Spotted a gator and that was a bonus.

Great, somewhat technical trail (especially if wet). Watch out for wildlife, many snakes and gators-SOME ON THE TRAIL-which I love but could freak some people out

Excellent for a great workout or walk with the family! The terrain can be hard for a small child or elderly because there are steep dips and areas that you need to climb (easy enough without hands). I have been walking, running, and hiking through here for awhile now to burn calories. The entire trail is 7.1 miles and it says it takes 3-5 hours to complete but I do it in 2 by just walking fast. BE WARNED, this is still a forest and has some dangerous wildlife!!! Yesterday I noticed a lot of fresh bear feces full of berries along 2 of the bridges so they use the trail and not just the surrounding areas as well. Ive also come across some Pygmy Rattlesnakes... they arent deadly but they can hurt you pretty badly.

This is a very interesting and fun trail. I understand why its so popular

Well kept and beautiful. Not enough parking though but not a big deal. Its a long hike all the way around but I only did about a mile today and back. Trails good but use good hiking shoes and bug spray.

Close to home. Very clean. Not over crowded :)

Fascinating walk amidst beautiful Florida nature. Definitely a must!

It used to be a 5 star rating, as Ive been hiking this area for the better part of 30 years. Sadly, now that its gained popularity, some people fail to respect the earths saying take only memories, and LEAVE only footprints . I bring a trash bag with me now and pick up behind other people. People have graffitied cut trees, and signs. Please if you go out on trails, respect nature, leave nothing behind. As for the trail, the trail is beautiful. Very hot in the summer, better to hike it in the winter, fall or spring. Ive sadly, witnessed several dogs die from heat stroke out there. Ive had a Florida Panther walking on the back side of the trail right on front of me about 20ft on the trail, that was wild she lead the way for about 30 minutes. Lots of snakes, spiders, armadillos, deer, hog. But in all my time out there, the Black Bear has always been the one thing I havent seen out there.

7 mile hiking trail, you go at your own pace. I was afraid to encounter a cocrodile, black bear or snake hey but thankfully I didnt see any

Very nice walk and lots of wildlife. Bring bug spray! Pet friendly, but be careful with snakes and other animals. We saw a big group of wild boars on the track; we had to go back which was disappointing. Will definitely go back!

Great shady quiet walking trail..

7.1 Mile trail, only did about 2 miles since it was getting dark and we had dogs with us. Nice and peaceful, but bring mosquito repellent. There was an adult pygmy rattlesnake in the middle of the trail too.

Awesome trail... its a bit difficult but its an adventure.

Beautiful wilderness type area, very rugged trails.

Very good hike. Not to many places to sit and relax. The animals where hiding today. Just some birds.

What an incredible park. Trails are a little rough but thats part of the fun. The views of the river are spectacular. Wildlife abounds here at this park.This a long trail so if decide to try it bring water and some snacks.No restrooms so be prepared for that.I highly recommend a visit here.

Awesome trail, the entire loop is 7.1 miles. I only did a couple miles of it but plan to go back soon and do the whole thing. When you start the trail if you go left it goes through the woods (thats the way I went), but if you go right it takes you along the St. Johns River, so plan accordingly if youre just doing part of it.

Such a gem! If you want to experience Florida wilderness this is a wonderful place to do it.

Wear good hiking shoes and pants. Mostly swampy so mosquitoes are prominent. Awesome hike... Took me about 3.5 hours to complete. What an abundance of wildlife and the windy trail is gorgeous. Worth the two hour drive it took to get here.

Lots of wildlife, a nice raw trail. There are no bathrooms, just a nature preserve.

Ive had the luxury to grow up in Florida. Ive been around trails from the panhandle to the Everglades. This location offers elevation change, water features, local Flora and fauna that is family friendly.Today we completed the 7 mile loop, expect 3.5-4 hours with a toddler on your back. Stop at the approximate 4 mile mark the have a snack at the primitive camp ground.Remember to leave no trace so generations continue to enjoy this area. So happy to have it fully running again post hurricane.

Very pretty and quiet. Great fishing!

This is a beautiful and chalenging 7.2 mile hike that you dont want to miss!! I just came here for my first time amd hiked the loop, saw a snake, racoon, alligator, many birds and squirells. Thanks Seminole County for this awesome wilderness.

Loved this trail! Very beautiful in the spring time, 14 boardwalks, and 7 miles worth of opportunities to see wildlife. Definitely one of my favorites! I did this hike by myself, and due to not being a regular hiker, Im always extra alert and a bit nervous about my surroundings. I liked that this park is popular enough that I wasnt alone, but also there were long stretches of solitude which I appreciated.The trail is well kept, mile markers are at every half mile, and the boardwalks are very well kept and numbered.

Got to see wildlife, mostly primitive trail 7miles.

Very beautiful, nice and shady walk. Stayed overnight at the camp site. Lots of wild life.

Great hike just an hour north of Orlando. I saw tons of wildlife, more than Ive seen at any trails in the surrounding areas. The trail was almost completely dry, even though its the rainy season. Watch your step for snakes (there was a huge water moccasin on the trail) and cover yourself in bug spray

Nice shaded trail, parking is limited

Really great hiking trail!

No restrooms. This is a jungle trail. Very beautiful. The beginning has a long boardwalk that is easy walking after that there are roots sticking up from the path and wild animals. We saw a beautiful king snake on the trail. Bring mosquito repellent in case you need it. This is a very wet area.

Great walk, a little over 7 miles. We didnt see alot of wildlife. Well. Maintained and beautiful trail.

A favorite trail. It feels like northern Florida with true hiking inclines and rough terrain. Spotted gators, turtles, snakes, and birds.

Nice, flat easy 7 miles.

7.1 miles through rough terrain. This is not for the faint of heart! Backed up to the St. John river, this place is q gorgeous place for serious hikers.

Very nice trail to hike. Shady and cool enough. The trail is a little over 7 miles and you hey to see some wildlife.

Great area to hike and explore. Stay on the trail. Most places you can not leave the trail. Expect to see wildlifeYou may not see bears, but you will see gators if you go far enough. Beautiful area and a great hike. Take water but think twice about food. Trip is 7.5 miles including the walk to trail head from the parking lot.Be aware you may hear gators growling. If you see a bear do not run!

Loved it. Great trails

Beautiful 7mile loop. 75% of trail is covered by roots, pretty technical to run. But the whole is shaded and beautiful

Great trail! Well marked, not muddy, but rooty and a good hike! Not sandy like so many Florida trails. Didnt see any bear, but spotted two alligators, several turtles, and lots of birds. Some lovely views of the St. Johns River on the east side along with a nice breeze. well definitely do this trail again!

Super nice, long trail.