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Cradle Creek Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 399 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville Beach, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Cradle Creek 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.
Public park along the Intracoastal Waterway with nature trails, elevated boardwalks & a boat pier.
What runners say about Cradle Creek Preserve
“So beautiful even in December, limited Free parking, but definitely worth a stop.”
We were in town on business for the day and passed this park in what seemed like in the back of a subdivision on our way to our destination. We decided to check it out after we had concluded our business. I’m glad we did!! We had a nice relaxing hour walk before hitting the road for our 2hr drive home!
This is a great little trail that is definitely easy to miss if you aren’t looking. It is a nice hidden gem of a place where you can go for a nice walk. It’s not a very long trail, but it’s still worth a visit.
This is a beautiful little boardwalk in a residential area. We didn't walk past the end of the boardwalk, but it seems that dirt trails extend beyond that. Heavy rains make those trails muddy. Parking in the tiny lot is limited, but there's more parking in the grass along the street near the park.
Cradle Creek is nestled in a little corner of a residential area. It's a quiet preserve (except for the sounds of cars & trucks on the highway nearby). The trail is wide and clear with a couple of boardwalk, one has an overlook of the marsh and another is more like a dock.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is wide and clear with a couple of boardwalk, one has an overlook of the marsh and another is more like a dock.”
“The only minor complaint that I can think of is that there is minimal parking available, maybe 3-4 spots and 1 handicapped space.”
“A nice park by the marsh where you can stroll along a paved path with informational signs about local wildlife in the area and a wooden boardwalk out to the marsh.”
“It's a quiet preserve (except for the sounds of cars & trucks on the highway nearby).”
“Sand and boardwalk making it easily accessible for people with physical ailments.”
Plan your run at Cradle Creek Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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 — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitejacksonville.gov
- Phone(904) 247-6100
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM–7:30 PM |
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