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Little Talbot Island State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,825 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Little Talbot Island 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.
Barrier-island nature area with sandy beaches & activities such as kayaking, surfing & picnicking.
What runners say about Little Talbot Island State Park
“There are 3 different beach access points with walkovers, plus well maintained bathhouses & picnic areas with grills in the day use section.”
“With beautiful dunes, driftwood & fewer crowds, it's ideal for shelling (even shark teeth), beach walks, biking, nearby paddling & photography.”
“Very wheelchair friendly beach, not crowded, has alot of grilling and pavilion options.”
We camped here 3 nights over new years. It was pretty quiet. A lot of hooting owls at night. We were in campsite 19 which was ok. It had privacy on 2 sides but campsite 20 actually backs into the left rear of our site and their campfire ring is right there. So we were like basically 10 feet away from each other.
Peaceful natural shoreline. Park Rangers are friendly and helpful. The facilities are well maintained and clean. This is a rustic Florida beach state park. Minimal amenities but ideal for a quiet beach day. If you have a car full of rowdy youngsters please take them elsewhere. They’ll be bored at Little Talbot.
Arrived July 19 to site 19 for 4 nights. The check in is on the beachside and the campground is gated across the road. Very narrow roads that allow for only one vehicle at a time with many low hanging branches. Very small and private sites with #19 having an odd corner post that made backing in difficult.
We drove along the coastal highway that overlooks all the trails, beaches and waterways at Little Talbot Island. The parking area was full and busy on a March 2026 Saturday. Cyclists were geared up. Visitors were enjoying the scenic overlook of dead trees on the beach. A sign illustrates some common birds to look for.
Trail conditions & character
“With beautiful dunes, driftwood & fewer crowds, it's ideal for shelling (even shark teeth), beach walks, biking, nearby paddling & photography.”
“Very wheelchair friendly beach, not crowded, has alot of grilling and pavilion options.”
“We walked the campground, looked but did not use the restroom facility (nice and new) and tried to kayak.”
“We visited on a Sunday afternoon and even with a fairly full parking area, the beach wasn't at all crowded.”
“Very wheelchair friendly beach, not crowded, has alot of grilling and pavilion options.”
“Bonus: An ADA-Accessible campsite has a paved surface & direct access to facilities.”
“We rode our bikes along a nice boardwalk overlooking the water.”
Plan your run at Little Talbot Island State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- 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 — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefloridastateparks.org
- Phone+1 904-251-2320
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 South Loop Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
Tranquil beach with dunes, driftwood, shells and picnic facilities.
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,678 reviews
Historic coastal nature preserve with wetland, salt marsh & hardwood forest habitats.
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.
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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