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Oakland Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 505 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, Florida · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Oakland Nature Preserve'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.
Peaceful 150-acre preserve offering environmental education for all ages, plus picnicking and hiking.
What runners say about Oakland Nature Preserve
“Compared to the boardwalk, the trail was not as well maintained — the grass was tall, and ant hills were scattered throughout the path during our hike.”
“Great to enjoy and appreciate some time surrounded by the beautiful nature of the area, many trees and plants, a variety of butterflies, some squirrels and much more.”
“The trail features a well-maintained boardwalk with plenty of shade, making it comfortable even on sunny days.”
“It was a peaceful, enjoyable walk surrounded by nature, perfect for a relaxing break after lunch.”
“Beautiful nature walk, well maintained, accessible for all ages and abilities.”
Absolutely loved this nature trail!!! Try not to get lost if you go by yourself as you will get to a spot where you’re like “should I go left or right?”. Seen so much wildlife snakes, birds, gators, and my favorite a Green Enole. Watch out for grasshoppers there was MILLIONS!
After lunch, we decided to take a quick walk at Oakland Nature Preserve and found parking near the trailhead. The trail features a well-maintained boardwalk with plenty of shade, making it comfortable even on sunny days. It's an easy and accessible trail that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
Beautiful nature walk, well maintained, accessible for all ages and abilities. We experienced so many sights, sounds, and smells that truly made this an experience to remember. Wildlife abound this is truly a sanctuary - we saw birds, rabbits, armadillo, lizards, bugs and alligators of all sizes!
The boardwalk trail was 0.7 miles one way and very easy to walk. It ended at a large wooden canopy with a great view of Lake Apopka. There were plenty of seats available, including two rocking chairs in the center, making it a relaxing spot to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Trail conditions & character
“We were able to do some light hiking throughout the forrest trails, and were looking forward to do the boardwalk trial but unfortunately our time was cut short.”
“Great to enjoy and appreciate some time surrounded by the beautiful nature of the area, many trees and plants, a variety of butterflies, some squirrels and much more.”
“It was a peaceful, enjoyable walk surrounded by nature, perfect for a relaxing break after lunch.”
“The trail features a well-maintained boardwalk with plenty of shade, making it comfortable even on sunny days.”
“Beautiful area, hands down the cleanest park restroom I’ve ever been in, saw lots of birds, bunnies, butterflies, baby gators, and grasshoppers.”
“After lunch, we decided to take a quick walk at Oakland Nature Preserve and found parking near the trailhead.”
“Boardwalk makes this fabulous for strollers, young kids, older people with maybe balance issues.”
Plan your run at Oakland Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websiteoaklandnaturepreserve.org
- Phone(407) 905-0054
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
Running trails near Oakland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Butterfly Garden - WO Trail
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Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex
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