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Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 661 Google reviews · Running trail in Sanford, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 7 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead'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.
Shaded 7-mile trail with river views where alligators, turtles and birds can be seen.
What runners say about Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead
“Absolutely beautiful view of Florida vegetation.”
“It's as if you've transported to the tropics with plenty of canopy shade and wild animals.”
100% worth visiting here. But the full loop of 7.1 miles…is personally not recommended. -I visited here by mid-April, which is the extremely dry season(humidity was only 24%), so the water or swamp level was very low. If you want to do fishing or see gooey swamp, avoid spring. -Free parking. But limited availability.
Absolutely fantastic area. The trail is not difficult but there are tree roots to beware of if not paying attention. The full hike is 7.1 miles but you can easily turn around as needed. We saw so much wildlife! Numerous bird species, gators, deer and even a wild pig.
Great nature trail to take on a cool winter day ! Be forewarned of a couple of things however. The parking lot can get completely jam-packed and outside parking on the street is not permitted. The trails themselves can be potentially treacherous, due to tree roots protruding and some narrow and steep paths.
Incredible experience. The silence of nature is truly immersive—birds singing, the gentle sound of the lake, and branches rustling with the slightest movement of a passing lizard. It feels like a natural bubble, only occasionally interrupted by the sound of a boat passing along the river. Highly recommended.
Trail conditions & character
“I don’t often experience any terrain while hiking in Florida, so this 7 mile loop is extra special to me.”
“You will see plenty of alligators and very pretty view of St.”
“The trail is easily followed, though some areas are covered with roots from trees, and you need to watch your step.”
“I don’t often experience any terrain while hiking in Florida, so this 7 mile loop is extra special to me.”
“The parking lot can get completely jam-packed and outside parking on the street is not permitted.”
“It's as if you've transported to the tropics with plenty of canopy shade and wild animals.”
“-I visited here by mid-April, which is the extremely dry season(humidity was only 24%), so the water or swamp level was very low.”
“The boardwalk sections are well maintained as well as the dirt trails.”
“Also, there are no restrooms nor water fountains along the trail, so coming prepped for several hours is advised.”
“Also, there are no restrooms nor water fountains along the trail, so coming prepped for several hours is advised.”
Plan your run at Black Bear Wilderness Trailhead
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
- Loop distance7 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Phone+1 407-665-2211
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–6 pm |
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 Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 996 reviews
Trails & boardwalks wind through this area's 1,650 acres of marsh plus hardwood & floodplain swamps.
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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