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Ravine Gardens State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,034 Google reviews · Running trail in Palatka, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 2.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Ravine Gardens 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.
Tranquil green space featuring a playground & hiking trails set amid landscaped gardens.
What runners say about Ravine Gardens State Park
“The road is well maintained but includes steeper inclines as well as some flat areas.”
“Ravine Gardens State Park, located in Palatka, Florida, is a beautiful natural park best known for its vibrant azalea blooms in spring.”
“There are elevation differences, roots, stairs and plenty of shade.”
“It’s not very big so it’s easy to navigate through the trails by just wondering through.”
Ravine Gardens State Park is beautiful. This deep ravine is not what you would expect to find in Florida. We walked down the paved section for a while and then ventured down a path into the ravine. It was quite steep and didn’t have a handrail. When we reached the bottom there was a spring and little streams flowing.
One the state parks that I have passed many times and didn't stop. I'm so glad I did today. The weather was perfect and it was very serene. Spent only 2hrs but could have been there all day! Bring your dog and explore the numerous trails.
From Florida state park website: Ravine Gardens State Park is a 152-acre park located in Palatka, Florida. The park contains steephead ravines surrounding Whitewater Branch, a spring-fed stream that flows east into the St. Johns River. The ravines slope down to the branch, with maximum elevations of 70 to 120 feet.
This is a beautiful state park with some great walking trails. It’s not very big so it’s easy to navigate through the trails by just wondering through. There are 2 suspension bridges which the kids love to cross and a small spring. There’s a driving trail loop so it’s accessible and has a.
Trail conditions & character
“Ravine Gardens State Park, located in Palatka, Florida, is a beautiful natural park best known for its vibrant azalea blooms in spring.”
“Anyone with a stroller, a wheelchair user, or someone with mobility issues should call the park or ask the Ranger at the entrance to recommend accessible areas.”
“There is a narrow one way road that is a perimeter loop overlooking the ravine.”
“This is a very natural environment including dense wooded areas on steep slopes of the ravine.”
“We walked down the paved section for a while and then ventured down a path into the ravine.”
“This is a very natural environment including dense wooded areas on steep slopes of the ravine.”
“Good for families too — picnic areas, grills, restrooms, and convenient parking.”
“Dogs are permitted in the park so we saw several people walking their dogs.”
“Fortunately there are flat walkable areas traversing the lowest trail which border scenic streams.”
“Good for families too — picnic areas, grills, restrooms, and convenient parking.”
“Stay alert while walking the trail because the trail has a lot of tree roots and the steps are uneven , all around a pretty good experience”
Plan your run at Ravine Gardens State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance2.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefloridastateparks.org
- Phone(386) 329-3721
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5:45 PM |
Running trails near Palatka
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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