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Rice Creek Conservation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 106 Google reviews · Running trail in Palatka, Florida · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Rice Creek Conservation Area'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.
Swampy reserve with scenic trails, ancient cypress & the remains of an 18th-c. rice plantation.
What runners say about Rice Creek Conservation Area
“Beautiful trail winding along a creek with beautiful Spring flowers”
Ok, so the address when you plug this destination into your GPS takes you to a small grass parking lot and a chained gate. This is the entrance to the East branch of the trail. Nice, flat, open, hot. I wanted to find the west path. So.
One of my favorite hikes in the county. After the parking space, the road trail quickly split between a trail for horse riding or into the woods for hiking. I hiked the woods. The trail never stays far from either the highway or cleared areas, with plenty of markers, so you'll never get lost.
Has a very nice hiking trail. The trail is maintained and there is always opportunities to see wikdlife. At about 1 1/2 miles down the Florida Trail we saw some baby alligators and a couple of large alligators. There are also a lot of snakes along the way so always be alert to them.
WET AND MUDDY!! I had a blast with this hike lol. I was on the FT all thru Rice Creek and there were bridges of all kinds along this section! Huge Cypress trees! I stopped at the Rice Creek Hilton ( a shelter along the FT) and had a snack for the next round lol. Hoffman's Crossing is a must do on this hike!
Trail conditions & character
“Ok, so the address when you plug this destination into your GPS takes you to a small grass parking lot and a chained gate.”
“Beautiful trail winding along a creek with beautiful Spring flowers”
“Very enjoyable hike through a swamp area without getting wet (though a bit muddy in places).”
“There are several wooden trail bridges and a long wooden boardwalk a few miles down the trail.”
Plan your run at Rice Creek Conservation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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 — reported by runners
- Websitesjrwmd.com
- Phone(386) 329-4404
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
Rice Creek Conservation Area Nine-Mile Tract
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Ravine Gardens State Park
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Tranquil green space featuring a playground & hiking trails set amid landscaped gardens.
Hank Bryan Park
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Paved and fenced park for picnics, with a playground, a basketball court and a paved walkway.