HomeFloridaSanford › Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 308 Google reviews · Running trail in Sanford, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Lower Wekiva River Preserve 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.

ScenicRestroomsQuiet

Area with multi-use trails, wildlife observation, boating & fishing, plus equestrian campsites.

What runners say about Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (308 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“Miles of beautiful, shady trails with a variety of trees, nice campground, primitive, bathhouse with showers, stalls, paddocks, new pavillion.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Looking for a great peaceful place to launch your own canoe, paddle board or kayaks this is a nice place to do that!”

Most tourists visit the upper Wekiva and Rock Springs run for the clear shallow twisty turning river run and the beer garden at Wekiva Island. Nature lovers, birders, and people in the know prefer the wild Lower Wekiva with its spider web of river routes, ancient cypress, countless birds, and giant alligators.

★★★★★ — Greg , May 2017

Great peaceful place to go hiking. This has always been one of my favorite spots since I was a kid. My family and I enjoyed our day hiking. Will return again as always.

★★★★★ — Flower , Jul 2018

We always enjoy camping on the nature trail. Took 2 of our young grandson this time. Teaching them to fish and about wildlife. The bathrooms and showers are wonderful! You get to enjoy primitive style camping and still have comforts.

★★★★★ — Lisa , Apr 2018

I spent 2 days camping on the Blackwater Creek. Lots of large 10-12 alligators. The Creek is blocked by trees 2 1/2 miles.from the entrance from the Wekiva.

★★★★★ — Chuck , Jul 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 308 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“Miles of beautiful, shady trails with a variety of trees, nice campground, primitive, bathhouse with showers, stalls, paddocks, new pavillion.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Looking for a great peaceful place to launch your own canoe, paddle board or kayaks this is a nice place to do that!”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“The bathrooms and showers are wonderful!”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitefloridastateparks.org
  • Phone(407) 884-2009

Hours

Monday 8 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–8 PM
Thursday 8 AM–8 PM
Friday 8 AM–8 PM
Saturday 8 AM–8 PM
Sunday 8 AM–8 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 Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

8300 FL-46, Sanford, FL 32771

Get directions

Running trails near Sanford

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

Blue Springs Trail (Debary Plantation Trailhead)

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Pine island hiking trail

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Pine Forest Park

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Spacious park featuring basketball courts, ball fields, a baseball field, benches and picnic tables.

4.0 miles away

Spring to Spring Trail, Blue Spring Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 140 reviews

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LoopPavedShadedScenic

Family-friendly trail that's popular for hiking, cycling and observing wildlife.

4.3 miles away

Florida Trail Cassia Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 38 reviews

Eustis, FL

Loop

Hiking area with various trails for hikers, horses, and bikes, plus ample parking.

4.6 miles away

Seminole State Forest Cassia Trail Head

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

Eustis, FL

Loop

4.6 miles away

All running trails in Sanford, 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.