HomeFloridaPompano Beach › Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

4.1 ★★★★☆ 131 Google reviews · Running trail in Pompano Beach, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub'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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyWaterTrailhead parking

This 24-acre sand-pine-scrub area features wildlife, a covered shelter, trails & interpretive signs.

What runners say about Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (131 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“A beautiful and cozy natural area in an easy to access location with good parking.”

Loved it! Lots of information about nature/scrubs throughout the trail, and recently updated. Def answers diverse questions regarding preservation and even why dogs aren't allowed; topics to comtemplate.

★★★★★ — Grecia , Feb 2022

Short but beautiful nature trail in pompano Beach. Couple of benches along the way for you to take a break. We did not see any wildlife on this walk, there are informational posters along the way describing the plants and animals you may encounter along the way. Good place to walk with your kids and get some fresh air.

★★★★★ — Dezignstar , Mar 2023

Out looking for a little exercise tonight I found this nice natural area that was first opened to the public in 2002. Located almost directly across from Crystal Lake Middle School I was familiar with this area and never even knew a natural area for hiking was here.

★★★★☆ — Ariel , May 2018

Nice to see one of the last few pockets of natural scrub land left. Love the information boards, nice short paved trail. Glad to see conservation exists still in south Florida.

★★★★★ — Daniel , May 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 131 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface 7 mentions

“What you have instead is two trails, the unpaved Sand Pine Trail and the paved Gray Fox Trail, that wind through 24.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“A beautiful and cozy natural area in an easy to access location with good parking.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Even though I didn't know about this area the parking lot was full when I left on a Sunday evening.”

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🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“Amenities include a covered shelter, water fountain, signs, benches, and a bike rack.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

“Def answers diverse questions regarding preservation and even why dogs aren't allowed; topics to comtemplate.”

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Plan your run at Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitebroward.org
  • Phone+1 954-357-8109

Hours

Monday 8 am–6 pm
Tuesday 8 am–6 pm
Wednesday 8 am–6 pm
Thursday 8 am–6 pm
Friday 8 am–6 pm
Saturday 8 am–6 pm
Sunday 8 am–6 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

3299 NE 3rd Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Get directions

Running trails near Pompano Beach

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve

4 ★★★★☆ 34 reviews

Pompano Beach, FL

Dog-friendly

under a mile away

Highlands Scrub Natural Area

4.2 ★★★★☆ 75 reviews

Pompano Beach, FL

4 miLoopPavedScenic

Petite tract of desert-like scrub and native plants with educational signs and paved trails.

under a mile away

Military Trail Natural Area

4.1 ★★★★☆ 34 reviews

Pompano Beach, FL

PavedDog-friendly

1.4 miles away

Ecidar Park, City of Deerfield Beach

4.4 ★★★★☆ 63 reviews

Deerfield Beach, FL

1.9 miles away

Pompano Beach Airpark - Bike Path Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

Pompano Beach, FL

Paved

2.1 miles away

Pompano Community Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,432 reviews

Pompano Beach, FL

LitDog-friendly

City park with sports fields, an outdoor pool, an open-air amphitheater, a playground & BBQ grills.

2.3 miles away

All running trails in Pompano Beach, FL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.