Hickory Bluff Preserve Loop Trail is a 1.4 mile loop trail located near Osteen, Florida that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
camping
fishing
hiking
horseback riding
mountain biking
nature trips
walking
bird watching
running
views
wildlife
The 150-acre Hickory Bluff Preserve overlooks the St. Johns River and contains many natural communities including mesic and scrubby flatwoods, oak hammock, cypress domes, floodplain swamp, and wet prairie. The preserve was acquired by Volusia County Government using Volusia Forever funds with the assistance of a grant from the Florida Communities Trust. Wildlife along the trail many include osprey, eagle, great blue heron, barred owl, gopher tortoise, alligator, river otter, bobcat, deer and turkey.
It’s a well marked trail and very pretty when you get to the river. It’s a nice halfway spot to take a break.
Lovely little trail, with easy to follow trail markers, informative kiosks along the trail and lots of beautiful examples of a variety of Florida ecosystems. This would be a great trail for anyone visiting Florida looking for a short hike to see a variety of what Florida has to offer. Cute little campsite too.
Walked this trail for first time due to hiking challenge with daughter in Seattle. It was 3PM so not a good time to see anything. Trail is dry and well marked (some red markers have faded to silver). Will certainly walk again early in morning.
I wasnt sure about parking and just parked on the cement pad, no body else was there, mid day just as storm clouds were rolling in. Gorgeous path, i got off path more than once following scenery. I saw several large tortoise and a white tail deer. A few really great spots to rest , picnic tables under awning and spots next to river. Yes a few flooded spots but not so bad as a way had not been made manageable today. get out and enjoy. The live oaks and pines are beautiful.
Went out there today, and it was absolutely beautiful, you can tell the water flooding height on the trees, however it's not flooded as of right now. A perfect mix of tall pines, saw palms, tons of wildlife of all kinds, sugar sand stretches allowing you to see all the different wild life prints, and opens up to a beautiful stretch of the St.Johns river. Absolutely beautiful.
Parts of the trail was extremely Flooded yesterday when I attempted to Hike it. I tried to hike in from both directions on the loop and only made it about a 1/4 of a mile each way before I had to turn around both times and go back out to the parking lot. This trail is very secluded and seemed to have a lot of wildlife on it. I seen several diffrent types of birds, trac marks from Hogs, Deer and a Bear. I also seen several skin sheds from snakes along the trail. Although I was not able to completely hike the entire trail, I think it is a good trail to hike and will diffently check this one out again.
