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Bulls Bay Preserve
4.2 ★★★★☆ 523 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Bulls Bay Preserve'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.
Hilly, wooded nature preserve featuring hiking and biking trails, a waterfall and ponds.
What runners say about Bulls Bay Preserve
“The waterfall feature is so beautiful however it is barely trickling now as compared to the last time I was there a couple of years ago😓 This water shortage is scary.”
“Overall, it’s a quiet natural spot, but visitors should be prepared for unmarked trails and limited facilities.”
The trails are taken care of nicely. It is a peaceful place to hike and ride bikes . The water falls are a great things to see . The only bad thing about this place it says public restrooms. There is a building there where they use to be but nothing on them inside to use to go to the bathroom .
It was beautiful and mostly away from human sounds. The little waterfall was something I’ve been looking for in a trial hike! And, if you like biking trails there are some challenging courses! The only problem was the bathroom that did not have a toilet. But the sheer amount of trails easily made up for that.
Excellent set of short walking trails - with actual terrain! The Waterfall Loop Trail goes to a set of small waterfalls - rare in Florida. Be advised, there really are a few steep spots on these trails and in some spots that trails are narrow. These areas would pose a challenge to people with mobility issues.
You are really in the woods. Some challenging hiking trails, many hills, ravines and tree roots. Great scenery...didn't see the waterfall this time. Very peaceful and very little insect activity this time of year...left with no ticks or chiggers attached to me. Strangely very little wildlife observed???
Trail conditions & character
“The waterfall feature is so beautiful however it is barely trickling now as compared to the last time I was there a couple of years ago😓 This water shortage is scary.”
“The restroom at the trailhead wasn’t functional during our visit, which was disappointing.”
“Be advised, there really are a few steep spots on these trails and in some spots that trails are narrow.”
“The restroom at the trailhead wasn’t functional during our visit, which was disappointing.”
“Really loved the dense tree canopy that made almost all of the hiking really a pretty pleasant temperature even in the heat of summer.”
“Overall, it’s a quiet natural spot, but visitors should be prepared for unmarked trails and limited facilities.”
“The Waterfall Loop Trail goes to a set of small waterfalls - rare in Florida.”
Plan your run at Bulls Bay Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitecoj.net
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.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail - Imeson Road Trailhead
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S-Line Urban Greenway Myrtle Trailhead
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Riverwalk
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Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
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Ortega Stream Valley Trailhead
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Tillie Fowler Park Loop Trailhead
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Popular location with an observation deck, wooded trails and a dog park.
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