Hiking

Lace up your hiking boots and explore the natural side of Florida’s Historic Coast. With countless miles of trails to explore, hikers have plenty of options in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach. Our beautiful parks and nature reserves offer Florida vistas in their most natural form.

Here are our top suggestions for hiking Florida’s Historic Coast:

Along Highway A1A

Ponte Vedra Beach

South on US Hwy 1

Elkton/Hastings Agri-Corridor

More Nearby Hikes

Along Highway A1A

Anastasia State Park

Just to the east of St. Augustine is Anastasia State Park. The Ancient Dunes Trail is a loop that leads you under the shade of ancient live oaks. The trail begins at the back of the park’s campground area and travels approximately seven-tenths of a mile, featuring some more strenuous climbs up and down the sandy terrain. Hit the beach after your hike for a refreshing dip in the ocean!

Fort Matanzas Nature Trail

The Fort Matanzas Nature Trail offers a half-mile loop through natural habitats with amazing views. You can also take the ferry to Fort Matanzas, which was a colonial outpost near the Matanzas Inlet at the mouth of the Matanzas River running into the ocean.

A couple hiking down a trail in St. Augustine, FL

Credit@mdrn.hippies

North to Ponte Vedra and Ponte Vedra Beach

Stokes Landing Conservation Area

Stokes Landing Conservation Area offers 5 miles of hiking and biking trails. One of the special highlights is an observation platform that overlooks the Tolomato River and the GTM-NERR, offering a unique view of the wildlife and marsh.

Nocatee Preserve

Nocatee Preserve features a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. It's situated on a natural estuary and boasts a variety of wildlife. Parking and restrooms are available at the trailhead.

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve

With more than 15 miles of trails, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) sits on a beautiful peninsula between the Guana River and Tolomato River. Trails are open to hiking and biking and wind through a variety of habitats, offering plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities and gorgeous examples of native vegetation.

South on US Hwy 1

Fort Matanzas State Forest

Matanzas State Forest borders Faver-Dykes State Park on US-1 and is across SR 206 from Moses Creek Conservation Area. This 16,000-acre conservation corridor is home to songbirds, bald eagles, deer, otters, turkeys, and more. The trails are open to horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Primitive camping is available with a permit.

Faver-Dykes State Park

Faver-Dykes State Park features a two-mile loop that is popular with birdwatchers. During spring and fall migration seasons, you can spot more than 100 species of birds throughout the park. Here’s a park trail map to help you plan.

Moses Creek Conservation Area

Moses Creek Conservation Area offers nearly 16 miles of trails that feature pine flatwoods and a river, making them suitable for all skill levels.

PicturedMoses Creek Conservation Area

Credit@slakker9

Elkton/Hastings Agri-Corridor

Deep Creek Conservation Area

Deep Creek Conservation Area features over 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. Deep Creek North (4,529 acres), the largest portion of the conservation area, includes frontage along the St. Johns River and the portion of Deep Creek that flows into the river. The uplands are dominated by pine flatwoods. Common wildlife species include the great blue heron, double-breasted cormorant, anhinga, common egret, tri-colored heron, boat-tailed grackle, red-winged blackbird, opossums, bobcats, and white-tailed deer.

Nearby Hiking

Princess Place Preserve Park

Princess Place Preserve is a 1,500‑acre historic nature preserve that sits at the confluence of Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River, offering over five miles of hiking and equestrian trails, an original 1880s lodge (Florida’s oldest intact in the county), the state’s first in‑ground spring‑fed pool, and ecosystems including salt marsh, hardwood hammock, sandhills, and freshwater springs.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Put Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on your must-see list. Sitting on a barrier island, this park features refined gardens complemented by venerable live oak trees. The Bella Vista Trail offers a 1.8-mile loop through several different habitats.