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Little Talbot Island South Loop Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 102 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Little Talbot Island South Loop Trailhead'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.
Tranquil beach with dunes, driftwood, shells and picnic facilities.
What runners say about Little Talbot Island South Loop Trailhead
“There's ample parking, bathrooms with changing rooms (reasonably clean, no bad smell, but definitely old / rundown), and outdoor showers to rinse off at.”
“One needs to be careful and mindful that there are no lifeguards at these 2 beautiful state parks.”
“The beach is loaded with shells and is usually really quiet - cool dunes and driftwood along the beach as well.”
On the map, it is called Dune ridge trail. 4.1 mi. If you park on the large parking, you can start the trail from the beach, or you can walk along the road back to the pedestrian crossing (you can see the trail entrance on the left when you're entering the state park). It is 2.
So we went to little Talbot island to hike with some friends . The total hike was about 3 miles and that is thru the woods and on the beach the trail is fairly easy but has lots of mosquitoes. So bring spray. Depending on which way you start you can start on the beach or into the woods . There is plenty of parking .
Excellent trail loop that has an expansive beach portion and wooded trail rich in nature sounds and sights. Every visit promises something a little bit different with ever-changing landscapes and beach treasures. The beach is very accessible from parking if setting up a spot to enjoy the day.
Love this place. Trails aren't hard but it's scenic and opens to the ocean.
Trail conditions & character
“There's ample parking, bathrooms with changing rooms (reasonably clean, no bad smell, but definitely old / rundown), and outdoor showers to rinse off at.”
“There's ample parking, bathrooms with changing rooms (reasonably clean, no bad smell, but definitely old / rundown), and outdoor showers to rinse off at.”
“One needs to be careful and mindful that there are no lifeguards at these 2 beautiful state parks.”
“The beach is loaded with shells and is usually really quiet - cool dunes and driftwood along the beach as well.”
“Excellent trail loop that has an expansive beach portion and wooded trail rich in nature sounds and sights.”
Plan your run at Little Talbot Island South Loop Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8:45 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.
Little Talbot Island State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,825 reviews
Barrier-island nature area with sandy beaches & activities such as kayaking, surfing & picnicking.
Big Talbot Island State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,705 reviews
Picnics, hiking, boating & nature study on an island with diverse habitats, from bluffs to beaches.
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,678 reviews
Historic coastal nature preserve with wetland, salt marsh & hardwood forest habitats.
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Natural destination featuring trails for kayaking, fishing and hiking as well as a picnic area with covered tables.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,450 reviews
Park offering surfing & swimming in the ocean plus fishing & boating in a lake, as well as hiking.
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