Mom’s Guide to Jacksonville’s Kid-Friendly Hiking Trail

[Metro Jacksonville]

Mom’s Guide to Jacksonville’s Kid-Friendly Hiking Trail



www.JaxMomsBlog.com share their guide to exploring the Jacksonville outdoors. Article by Megan Johns.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-apr-moms-guide-to-jacksonvilles-kid-friendly-hiking-trail

[Roger904]

Regarding Hanna Park - there are separate hiking and biking trails.  Please respect the distinction for the safety of all trail users.

[coredumped]

I'm glad to see the arboretum on this list, it's a very underrated park. They've really done a great job with it from the butterfly garden to expanding the trails.

[Scrub Palmetto]

Nothing across the river? Such a divided city! As a Westsider, I would add Jennings State Forest, Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area, Camp Milton Historic Preserve, Ringhaver Park, and Tillie Fowler Regional Park, just off the top of my head. I'm not entirely sure where to draw the line for "kid-friendly" because from the age of 5 I was doing 16 mile day-hikes and backpacking, often in mountainous terrain, and I found it very "kid-friendly" myself. I have one 5-year-old niece who seems to enjoy it as much as I did.

[Fallen Buckeye]

I ran into a real weirdo who just followed me around at Fowler once which scared me from taking my kids beyond the nature center. My kids like the trail at Crystal Springs. It is very remarkable nature wise, but they have fitness challenges along the trail and it is pretty short. If you don't mind a little bit of a drive there's a handicap accessible section of the Florida trail at Olustee that's nice. There's a little museum there, too.

[CityLife]

I'm glad to see the arboretum on this list, it's a very underrated park. They've really done a great job with it from the butterfly garden to expanding the trails.

I've been going to the arboretum since it opened. Its come a long way already and there are still many improvements to come. It has gotten considerably more crowded than it used to be, but you are right, still underrated.

[CityLife]

Oh and there are 2 great trails not on there, but I'm not giving them away. One is my go to spot and is shockingly still uncrowded.

Good list though.