Best walking trails in Osteen, Florida

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.Show more

The 268-acre Beck Ranch site was originally a working cattle ranch in Osteen. There is a Red Trail and a Yellow Trail that can be accessed through the park, but the trails themselves leave the park and wind through the larger Lake Monroe Conservation Area. Because this trail is in the floodplain of the St. Johns River (Florida's largest and longest river), it's prone to flooding during the summer months and into the early fall. About 95 percent of this trail is also open so there is very little shade. There is a primitive camp site and shelter at the end of trail with direct access to the river. The trail can also be accessed from the river but there is no formal landing or launch site. This is a county park with no cost for admission.Show more

Short trail from the campground to a boardwalk at the lake with beautiful cypress trees.Show more

The 268-acre Beck Ranch site was originally a working cattle ranch in Osteen. There is a Red Trail and a Yellow Trail that can be accessed through the park, but the trails themselves leave the park and wind through the larger Lake Monroe Conservation Area. The Yellow Trail does not offer any water views but is not as prone to flooding as the Red Trail. This trail is also longer and has a mix of shaded and open areas, some of it wide with grass and other parts with thick sand. You are far more likely to see wildlife on the Yellow Trail than the Red. There is a group camping site that can be accessed directly off Lemon Bluff Road. This is a county park with no cost for admission.Show more