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The state of Florida is home to several dog-friendly nature trails, and central Florida offers some of the best hiking trails you can explore with your canine pal. Some trails are paved, while others offer a rural experience, making it a perfect escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.
In this post, we’ll list 10 of the best hiking trails in central Florida so you know where to go and what to expect.
The 11 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Central Florida
1. Bear Creek
9 miles of trail nestled between many subdivisions
Enjoy three picnic tables
Walk across two small bridges surrounded by beautiful scenery
Heads up—no restrooms available
Dogs must be on-leash at all times
2. Cady Way Trail Park
5 miles of paved trail
Offers water fountains and rest stops along the way
Don’t forget to bring poop bags and clean up after your dog
Be mindful of bicyclists and roller bladders
Offers picturesque views of Orlando
3. Constitution Green
View some of the oldest historical oak trees in Orlando
Dogs must be leashed on trail but can be off-leash in fenced area
Terrific spot to view beautiful Floridian countryside
4. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Offers 183 acres of scenic views
Heads up—dogs are not allowed on playground, picnic areas, or fishing pier
Wonderful place for bird watching
Restrooms available
Many recreational activities available
5. Seminole Wekiva Trail
One of 1,600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Offers 14 miles of paved trail
Access to a nice, laid-out trail map
Poop bags available
Restrooms available
6. Palm Island Park
Features 8 acres of dog-friendly trails
Walk along a winding boardwalk with beautiful scenery
Picnic tables, shelters, and restrooms available
Heads up—watch for alligators and keep your dog on-leash
7. Cross Seminole Trail
Includes a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail
Beautiful wooded area along paved path
Restrooms and water fountains along rest areas of trail
8. West Orange Trail
Features 22.26 miles of paved trail
Features an equestrian trail
Bike rentals available
Located in a gorgeous historical area
9. Econ River Wilderness Area
Features 240 acres of dog-friendly area
3 miles of trails surrounded by nature
Abundance of wildlife
Horseback riding and fishing available
10. Spring Hammock Preserve
Contains 2 parks with playground, boardwalk, and sports fields
Breathtaking scenery, including cypress trees, many different plant species, and more
1,500 acres of natural beauty and trail
Heads up—must keep your dog on-leash
11. Little Big Econ State Forest
Lush forest with abundant wildlife
Hiking trails and canoeing on two rivers
Restrooms available
One of the more popular areas for dog-friendly hiking
Rural trails for escaping suburbia
Conclusion
We hope our list of the 10 best dog-friendly hiking trails in central Florida helps you decide where to go. Don’t forget your doggo’s leash, as all hiking trails require your dog to be on a leash due to the abundance of wildlife, and not to mention, alligators. Ensure you bring water for your pooch, and don’t forget a camera and snacks!
Featured Image Credit: BGSmith, Shutterstock
Written by
Rachel Giordano is a musician and writer living in Pensacola, Florida, with her partner and their two dogs, Sophie, a Boston Terrier, and Aero, a Border Collie/Sheltie mix. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and loves writing about animals of all types. When she’s not writing about animals, she loves to write suspense/thriller novels. A musician by night and writer by day, she enjoys educating the public about the needs and requirements of animals, big and small. …Read more
