Northeast Florida Parks - Bike, Hike, Swim, Fish

North Florida offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities, but few places match the range and richness found near the Econfina River. This page provides insights into the best fishing locations for both freshwater and saltwater enthusiasts.

Unmatched coastal cycling opportunities await at Amelia Island State Park. With more than 200 acres of maritime hammock, salt marsh and sandy beaches, this area is ideal for cruising on your favorite bicycle.

Thomas Creek Preserve & Fish Camp offers visitors a serene natural environment to explore, with hours from sunrise to sunset. Located in Jacksonville, FL, it provides free access and parking for all guests.

Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park offers visitors a chance to explore its natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. Located in Jacksonville, FL, the park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, with no fees for parking or access.

Discover the best beaches in Jacksonville, FL, exploring fun activities, beach access, nearby attractions, and more! Enjoy our public beaches all year-round.

Clay County offers 39 square miles of waterways – perfect for reeling in ‘the big one’ at one of the area’s many fishing spots. From Black Creek to Swimming Pen Creek and the mighty St. Johns River, fishing is a popular outdoor activity in the region with many accessible boat ramps and fishing piers available to those ready to make memories on the water.

Northeast Florida is renowned for being the First Coast, with St. Augustine, the nation's oldest permanent settlement. This page provides an overview of mountain biking trails in the North East Florida region, highlighting various routes and features for biking enthusiasts.

A destination for technical off-road biking, hiking, camping, and simply enjoying miles of beachfront, Hanna Park is one of Jacksonville's most beloved destinations.

Hiking in Clay County explores the subtropical wilderness of Northeast Florida. The region's landscape is characterized by the St. Johns River and its tributaries, creating a network of trails through diverse ecosystems like flatwoods, sandhills, and hardwood hammocks. The terrain is generally flat with minimal elevation change, making it accessible for many walkers. This variety offers hikers unique and engaging experiences.

Dubbed Florida’s “First Coast” because it was the first area where Europeans settled, the name could also describe its place as a top outdoor destination. From pristine Atlantic beaches to winding single-track bike trails to scenic paths cut through the wilderness, Northeast Florida is well worth exploring.

Feel the breeze and cast a line in one of the gorgeous lakes and rivers of Northeast Florida’s State Forests. Relax in total isolation or bring the whole family. Depending on the recreation area, you can fish on the shore or from your kayak or canoe. Whether your preference is salt water, brackish or fresh, you’ll find your perfect fishing spot at one of the many bodies of water that flow through Florida’s State Forests.

Northeast Florida is filled with fantastic cycling trails that will take you everywhere from riding on the beach to historic cities and even through dense southern forests. There’s a trail for everyone in this area, whether you are a cycling novice or a seasoned mountain biker.

Black Creek Park and Trail runs adjacent to US Highway 17 on Fleming Island. Existing trailheads are at Black Creek Park, Thunderbolt Park and Camp Chowenwaw County Park. As one of Clay County’s most popular trails, you’ll enjoy seeing old friends or making new ones as you travel along the 8-mile paved path that welcomes hikers, cyclists and even those out walking their dog.

Plan your biking or walking trip on Florida's East Coast Greenway, part of a developing multi-use trail linking Maine to Florida.

Adventurous anglers can charter a boat for unmatched deep-sea fishing or rent one if staying inland. The best way for newcomers to learn Jacksonville’s waters is to pair up with an expert fishing guide. Let the guide do the work and navigate to the best spots, while you enjoy pulling in a big one.

Explore the natural beauty of St. Johns County with its well-maintained parks and scenic trails. From peaceful walking paths to family-friendly outdoor spaces, there’s something for everyone to enjoy year-round.

Located on one of Northeast Florida's unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve, providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching and photography.

Explore the biking opportunities available in Region 2 of Florida's State Forests. This page provides information on trails, regulations, and tips for enjoying biking in these natural areas.

A scramble across high dunes provides the highlight of the Dune Ridge Trail, a 3.8 mile oceanside loop at Little Talbot Island State Park north of Jacksonville.

Jennings State Forest has outstanding forest and water resources that offer a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming (at your own risk), camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, nature study, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park is located 12 miles north of Jacksonville, west of Big and Little Talbot Islands. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as horse riding, hiking, and off-road bicyclists can explore five miles of multi-use trails that wind through the park's many different natural communities. Canoeing and kayaking is also available launch accessible by a 500 foot portage to the marshes.

East of Jacksonville's skyscrapers and west of the beaches, this state park protects one of the largest contiguous areas of coastal uplands remaining in Duval County. It offers visitors a chance to explore diverse ecosystems and enjoy outdoor activities in a natural setting.

Alpine Groves Park spans 54.5 acres in Northwest St. Johns County between the St. Johns River. This park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including rentals and historical insights.

Cycling is one of the most popular activities for many Amelia National residents and visitors to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. Coastal roads, trails and scenic views make it an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts.

Established in 1695 as a Spanish outpost in the Americas, St. Augustine lays claim to being Florida’s oldest continually occupied city. With a compact core known as the Ancient City sitting inside thick coquina walls that attach to the fortress of Castillo De San Marcos that protected its early settlers, it is an extremely walkable destination. A melting pot of cultures, with included Minorcans who left New Smyrna, the oldest free black settlement in the United States at Fort Mose, and waves of Spanish and British occupation, it feels like a corner of the Caribbean. Natural lands protect portions of the beach and estuary frontage, providing launch points for paddlers and places for hikers and cyclists to explore. Several pleasant waterfront campgrounds offer outdoorsy visitors a place to camp.

Explore lush woodlands and a 1911 brick road along the shaded Tower Trail at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park along the Ortega River across from NAS Jacksonville.