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Eco-biking ... Ecotourism on a Bicycle
Explore More of Natural Florida, Faster
The purpose of eco-biking is to explore and enjoy nature. It is not "mountain biking." Eco-biking is slower, typically combined with short trail hikes. Public lands in Florida offer a wealth of ecotourism opportunities. Below are links to over 35 Eco-biking reports.
Two advantages of eco-biking:
- explore large areas faster in order to enjoy more activities (sightseeing, hiking) in a limited time. Examples are seeing more on day-trips to some larger Florida State Parks.
- helps to avoid mosquitos and other biting insects, because you're typically moving faster vs. hiking. A great example of this advantage is eco-biking in the Everglades.
Eco-Biking by Region
FL Panhandle Region - 2 Trail Reports
Conservation Park - 24 miles of unpaved trails
and a mile of boardwalk on 2,900 acres, popular for hiking and
biking. The park is just a few miles from the busy beach, shopping
and tourist areas of Panama City Beach - a natural
escape.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park -
5 miles paved (round-trip) and 15 miles of unpaved trails, popular for
biking and
hiking. Camping, 3.2 mile pristine beach, towering dunes, and rare
Coastal Dune Lakes make this 1640-acre State Park a worthwhile Panhandle destination.
North FL Region - 11 Trail Reports
Gold Head Branch State Park
- Scenic State Park near Keystone Heights. Biking on 3+ miles of
park road, hiking on 3 trails plus Florida National Scenic Trail,
camping and cabins, picnicking, paddling, swimming and more. The
scenic ravine is a highlight.
Goethe State Forest - 53,000+ acre forest.
Best suited for equestrian activities and hiking, some mountain
biking. The roads are rough on limestone composite and the trails
sandy - very limited eco-biking opportunities.
Inglis Dam Recreation Area -
Part of the Cross Florida Greenway, includes a
2.5 mile paved trail, plus 7.5 miles unpaved
(grassy) trail for fat-tire biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Views of lake, river, dam, canal and locks.
Lower Suwanee National Wildlife Refuge
Overview Page - 4 options:
- Dixie Mainline Trail - 9 miles along Florida's
Big Bend
- Nature Drive - 9 mile limestone road
suitable for biking, varied habitat and wildlife
- River Loop Trail - 3/4 mile loop trail with
boardwalk and views of Suwannee River
- Shell Mound -
Archaeological site, 1/2 mile hiking trail to the Mound
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway -
Extends 110 miles from the St. Johns River to the Gulf, along the former
Cross Florida Barge Canal. 31 miles of paved bike trail sections,
36 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park -
Just north of Micanopy and south of Gainesville. Park roads open to biking.
Also five sandy trails, totaling about 20 miles. Paved
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail (a FL Top 10)
goes through north section.
Ravine Gardens State Park
- A lovely park near Palatka, centered around two ravines.
The 1.8 mile rim loop road is popular for bicycling and walking with
great ravine views, and three hiking-only trails range from easy to strenuous.
Woodpecker Trail -
Located in Big Shoals State Park along the Suwannee River,
a 3.4 mile paved bike trail. In addition,
there are about 28 miles of unpaved trails for biking, hiking,
and horseback riding.
West FL Region - 5 Trail Reports
Alderman's Ford Park Trail -
This moss-draped, 2-mile paved trail at Alderman's
Ford Conservation Park (Lithia, FL east of Brandon,
south of Plant City) was a pleasant find while checking
out kayak launches on the Alafia River.
Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area
- On Florida's Gulf Coast, 15 miles south of Crystal River. Miles
of biking on limestone roads and on logging tram roads. Two hiking
trails, two cave
diving sites.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
- Along the Crystal River west of the City of Crystal River. Short
but scenic paved path at a National Historic Landmark,
this archaeological site features 6 Pre-Columbian Native American
mounds and other historic features. River views, birdwatching,
picnicking and fishing.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
- 27,000 acres along the Gulf Coast for about 20 miles from
Yankeetown to Homosassa, and including the mouth of the Crystal
River. 7-Mile Loop Trail is the eco-biking
highlight. Hiking trails, paddling, picnicking, fishing, more.
Myakka River State Park
- Near Sarasota. Up to 7 miles (one-way) of biking on the paved
park road, plus unpaved options and hiking trails. One highlight
is the Canopy Walk, a suspended walkway 25 feet above
ground through the hammock to a 74-foot viewing tower.
Central FL Region - 11 Trail Reports
Circle B Bar Reserve - On
the northwest shore of Lake Hancock in Polk County, this popular Reserve
is a former cattle ranch. Its 1,200 acres have been restored to natural
wetland habitat, with up to 7 miles of trails. Many birds and alligators.
Lake Apopka Loop Trail
- In the Lake Apopka Restoration Area, the trail runs about 18 miles, the
most scenic being along the north shore of Lake Apopka. Some lakeshore
trail shared with cars (Wildlife Drive, open Fri., Sat. and Sun only).
Lake Jesup Conservation Area -
Established to protect water resources around Lake Jesup,
the Conservation Area consists of 3 separate sections, most
best for hiking, some eco-biking, equestrian riding.
Lake Kissimmee State Park -
Consists of 5,930 acres on a former cattle ranch.
Nestled between 3 lakes (Kissimmee, Rosalie, Tiger),
this is a remote area of Central Florida offering camping, picnicking,
hiking, mountain and eco-biking (best on the paved park road), horseback
riding, fishing, boating and birdwatching. With little light
pollution, good for stargazing on a clear night.
Lake Louisa State Park
- This State Park features bikes lanes along the 7-mile paved
main road, plus 20 miles of unpaved multi-use trails. Billed as a
"natural theme park" close to Disney World, there are activities
here for just about everyone. Popular for camping. A local favorite for cyclists.
Lake Norris Conservation Area
- 5.5 mile multi-use trail near Eustis, FL. Best biking at the East
Trailhead, most of trail better suited to hiking and equestrians due to sand.
Popular paddling launch onto Blackwater Creek from the East
Trailhead.
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
- Popular in winter for bird watching. Near DeLeon Springs, Volusia County.
Over 15 miles of unpaved trail for hiking and biking. Great sunsets. Mostly
grassy or hard-packed, but avoid when wet. (The wet clay here dries like cement on tires.)
Orlando Wetlands
- The Orlando Wetlands is a 1,650-acre, man-made wetland loaded with wildlife,
a good spot near Orlando, FL to see an alligator. Biking is on the wide earthen
berms, 18 miles total, popular on cool weekends.
Seminole State Forest
- Gated entrance to drive in (get code from Forest Service). This helps
to make this a more peaceful preserve, while close to a growing urban area.
Hard-packed dirt roads, one of the best State Forest rides.
Two picnic spots by Blackwater Creek.
Shingle Creek
Management Area
- The 1,750 acre management area in south Orange County protects an
important resource - Shingle Creek,
the northernmost headwaters of The Everglades. The management area
also offers visitor activities including hiking,
eco-biking, mountain biking, paddling,
fishing, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
Wekiva Springs State Park -
This popular State Park near Orlando is best known for swimming and
snorkeling at Wekiva Spring, but has much more to offer including
more than 30 miles of off-road trails for eco-biking and hiking.
East FL Region - 2 Trail Reports
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge -
Established in 1963 as a buffer for the Canaveral (John F. Kennedy) Space Center,
famous for bird watching. Fewer eco-biking options today as priorities change,
but hikes remain.
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area -
Along the St. Johns River, near Christmas, FL, east of
Orlando. Hiking trails, plus miles of mostly hard-packed
WMA roads, but plenty of sandy spots too. Areas of old growth, river and lake access.
Southeast Florida - 5 Trail Reports
Bluegill Trail - From
its start at Riverbend Park, Bluegill Trail runs on a crushed shell
and stone surface on the C-18 canal levee for 6 miles to Sandhill
Crane Access Park in Palm Beach Gardens, then another 3 miles on
paved trail to Grassy Waters Preserve. Best on fat tires, but
overall a bikeable canal trail.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park - At 11,500 acres
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a real
treasure with something for everyone - biking, paddling, hiking, camping,
picnicking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and more. The park roads
are bikeable, plus there are paved bicycle trails and scenic nature trails.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park -
At 54,000 acres, this is one of Florida's biggest preserves,
protecting the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie.
Located in a remote area, not an eco-biking "destination" (the
park road is rideable and there are 100 miles of multi-use trail,
but most is soft sand even mountain bikers will find challenging).
However, it's a worthwhile escape to nature for camping, hiking,
equestrian, and stargazing (an internationally certified
"Dark Sky Park").
Oleta River
State Park - Florida's largest urban park, Oleta River State
Park is well known for 15 miles of off-road mountain bicycling
trails, but also includes a paved 3 mile bike trail that circles
the park, a great way to explore.
Riverbend Park - This 680 acre Palm Beach County park
features 10 miles hard-packed biking trails (rentals at Park), 7 miles of equestrian trails,
5 miles of kayaking/canoeing trails on the Loxahatchee River,
and picnic facilities. A popular spot for families on weekends.
Everglades National Park - Multiple Options
Everglades Eco-biking - Overview -
Several unpaved biking trails in Everglades National Park (south entrance),
plus some historic old roads, and countless miles of dirt and gravel
trail on canal levees in Preserves near the National Park.
Everglades Eco-biking -
Loop Road Scenic Drive - 24-mile road paralleling the Tamiami Trail (US 41)
through at Big Cypress National Preserve. A top eco-route with unmatched scenery and lots
of history. 8 miles paved, the remainder dirt and gravel.
More Information and Resources
A great way to support Florida State Parks and Florida State Forests - both financially and politically - is to purchase an annual use permit. A small financial boost, but perhaps more important, every annual use permit helps to lobby for increased funding from the Legislature. Another great way to help is to become a volunteer.
Florida State Parks
Map of State Parks
Florida State Forests
Map of State Forests
Florida Wildlife Management Areas
Map of Florida Wildlife Management Areas
Principles of Eco-biking:
- respect all rules and regulations
- stay on trails
- minimize impact
- hikers and wildlife have right-of-way
Note: Unpaved trail conditions vary from year to year, and trails are subject to changes and closures.
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