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Castaway Island Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 974 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, Florida · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Castaway Island 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.
Raised trails run through this undeveloped wetland preserve with scenic overlooks along the way.
What runners say about Castaway Island Preserve
“Pretty place with clean trails and boardwalks to enjoy viewing marshes and wetlands”
“What a beautiful spot for walking, relaxing, a picnic, and so much more.”
“The atmosphere is peaceful, with nice seating areas to enjoy your time.”
Such a great place to explore with kids. It’s educational, it gets the kids moving and it’s interesting for them. We love coming here for a nice walk and to read about the animals that live in a salt marsh. The best time to come is at sunset because the view of the water is unbeatable.
Beautiful views. Love the small boat/paddle board access they offer. I noticed they recently added a paddle board rental station which is super cool! We went on a shorter nature walk, but I’d love to see how far they go. It seems like they have some pretty long ones. They have many overlook docks and views.
I went to check the trails out in the late afternoon on a Sunday. The trails were very nice and views were very picturesque. It was super busy when I went with my dog. So we didn’t see any wild life other than the other visitors.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by this place. At the beginning it was underwhelming, but I started walking on the trails and it was a pleasant experience. I recommend the Island trail. There's an absurd amount of bugs, but it was relaxing walking though the nature.
Trail conditions & character
“I visited Castaway Island Preserve for an hour to walk the paved nature trails and boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.”
“There seemed to be a lot of people hanging around the parking area and many people trying to get close to the big community recycling bins.”
“All paths are great for strollers (and I assume wheelchair accessible as well)”
“The atmosphere is peaceful, with nice seating areas to enjoy your time.”
“I visited Castaway Island Preserve for an hour to walk the paved nature trails and boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.”
“I saw several people walking their dogs, parents with their children and people exercising on the trails.”
“I visited Castaway Island Preserve for an hour to walk the paved nature trails and boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.”
“I’m not sure if they are still open but they did have bathrooms in the big building, which is always a plus when you go anywhere with kids.”
Plan your run at Castaway Island Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetimucuanparks.org
- Phone(904) 630-2489
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7:30 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.
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Dutton Island Preserve
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