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Black Bear Wilderness Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 996 Google reviews · Running trail in Sanford, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 7.1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Black Bear Wilderness Area'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.
Trails & boardwalks wind through this area's 1,650 acres of marsh plus hardwood & floodplain swamps.
What runners say about Black Bear Wilderness Area
“The trail seems well maintained, the new parking is nice, and we always see some wildlife.”
“We saw four owls including an owlet, we saw four or five gators, we saw a beautiful rat snake, a family of hogs, a turtle, and many water birds.”
Black Bear Wilderness Area has a beautiful 7.5 miles loop trail that is a must do! The trail is well maintained, but you do have to watch your footing for tree roots. It has abundant wildlife. We saw a Bear in the parking lot before we even started our hike!
A very nice way trail through the palmetto palms and wetlands. We saw a lot of wildlife, and had a pleasant walk around the 7 mile loop. Be sure to give yourself a few hours if you plan to do the whole loop and enjoy some stops along the way.
This is a must-do destination in the central Florida region. The wilderness area is circled by a 7.1 mile loop around a dense forest and wetlands area. I didn't see any black bear, but I did see 3 alligators, 5 feral pigs, including 2 piglets, a hawk catching prey in a tree right in front of me, dozens of waterfowl,…
Leashed dogs allowed. Lots of people in the first couple of miles, but the middle of the loop is fairly to one's self. This is a great county conservation site and clearly appreciated by many. Other than squirrels, I saw all of the wildlife on the eastern side of the loop, which is also more scenic.
Trail conditions & character
“1 mile trek around the park and I would highly recommend coming around 2-3pm id you plan to do the full loop and dont want to get caught in the dark at all.”
“We arrived around 10 am to an almost full parking lot, though we didn’t see that many people on trail.”
“The trail going to the river is well worn and includes boardwalks, but beyond that it is very primitive, uneven, covered in roots, and can be narrow.”
“We saw four owls including an owlet, we saw four or five gators, we saw a beautiful rat snake, a family of hogs, a turtle, and many water birds.”
“Past the halfway point of the 7 mile loop, I didn't like to think about having to turn around if a gator chose to bask on the narrow trail.”
“Parking is free, there are also portaloos available if required.”
Plan your run at Black Bear Wilderness Area
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance7.1 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteseminolecountyfl.gov
- Phone+1 407-665-0000
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Sanford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 661 reviews
Shaded 7-mile trail with river views where alligators, turtles and birds can be seen.
River City Nature Park
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Popular option featuring 2 courses over 100 acres and including open holes.
Gemini Springs West Trailhead
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Sylvan Lake Park
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Large park with tennis courts & lessons, plus soccer fields, running trails & fishing.