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Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 6,874 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park'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.
Featuring a freshwater lagoon, this diverse wildlife habitat offers hiking, fishing & more.
What runners say about Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
“Everything is well-maintained, and it’s a great spot to escape the city and enjoy some fresh air.”
“You can spend the whole day walking along the shady paths, enjoying the fresh air, and taking in the beautiful views of the canal.”
“The trails were easy to walk, and the mix of trees, water, and wildlife made the whole place feel peaceful.”
This place is like an all-inclusive paradise 😌You get fresh air, beautiful nature, and plenty of space to explore. There are great hiking options, like the Beach Hammock Trail and an unpaved trail for a more rugged adventure.
Overall, a really cool experience nature trail just steps from the beach. Unique plants and trees, and massive spiders hanging from them. Stick to the paved path, unless you have bug spray. DO NOT MAKE MY MISTAKE. They unfortunately love me and I got 25 bites in roughly 10 minutes.
Beautiful park with trails, kayak rentals, beach access and a restaurant. You can walked the paved road or alongside it on a dirt road enveloped by beautiful trees. Plenty of benches to relax. There is also a stop for the water taxi (additional fee, hop on/off all day).
I visited Hugh Taylor Birch State Park recently, and it was a really peaceful escape from the city. The trails are easy to walk, and I loved seeing the variety of wildlife—especially the turtles and birds around the lagoon. The beach access is convenient, and it wasn’t too crowded when I went.
Trail conditions & character
“We asked an older gentleman about how to best view the park and he was so nice, telling us to drive the 2 mile loop or walk or both!”
“When we drove in ($6/car) they gave us a map & there's a large parking lot (easy & free).”
“The trails were easy to walk, and the mix of trees, water, and wildlife made the whole place feel peaceful.”
“Overall, a beautiful park with a great vibe — perfect for a relaxing outdoor day with your dog.”
“You can walked the paved road or alongside it on a dirt road enveloped by beautiful trees.”
“We asked an older gentleman about how to best view the park and he was so nice, telling us to drive the 2 mile loop or walk or both!”
Plan your run at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
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 — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefloridastateparks.org
- Phone(954) 564-4521
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
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