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Big Talbot Island State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,705 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Big Talbot Island State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Picnics, hiking, boating & nature study on an island with diverse habitats, from bluffs to beaches.
What runners say about Big Talbot Island State Park
“This area has gorgeous marshes that run the coast which makes for fantastic birding (among many other things).”
“This trail is mostly packed sand and super easy for all ages.”
Beautiful paths and hiking trails sprinkled throughout the park. We brought our pup and did the black rock trail. This trail is mostly packed sand and super easy for all ages. We saw some people riding bikes in the trail and that could get annoying with the sand, but it's a short path.
We visit this beach every year. It's stunning and worth the drive and walk. You'll need to easily 1/2 mile, flat sandy walkway to get to Black Rock Beach The sand is bright white and silky soft. It's spectacular! We took St. John's Ferry across. It's pricey per car but worth the trip. Download the app to save a little.
The trail is longer than I expected, to get to the beach but it was a nice, pleasant walk. The beach itself was gorgeous! All the dead trees really gave it a mildly spooky, cool, ethereal vibe and the waves were so mild, we just chilled in the water for hours.
Beautiful beach. Great little hike for all ages. I have a 2 year old and 7 year old and they were able to do the little walk down to the water and back. The driftwood is beautiful and it's definitely a great place for a photo opportunity.
Trail conditions & character
“This area has gorgeous marshes that run the coast which makes for fantastic birding (among many other things).”
“Plenty of parking, picnic area is in shade, and outdoor shower.”
“There is a paved path that runs alongside the road which would be great for biking.”
Plan your run at Big Talbot Island State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefloridastateparks.org
- Phone(904) 251-2320
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Jacksonville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,678 reviews
Historic coastal nature preserve with wetland, salt marsh & hardwood forest habitats.
Little Talbot Island South Loop Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
Tranquil beach with dunes, driftwood, shells and picnic facilities.
Little Talbot Island State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,825 reviews
Barrier-island nature area with sandy beaches & activities such as kayaking, surfing & picnicking.
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Natural destination featuring trails for kayaking, fishing and hiking as well as a picnic area with covered tables.
Drummond Point Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 104 reviews
Well-kept park featuring trails and boardwalks through the marshes as well as playground equipment for kids.
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