HomeFloridaRockledge › River Lakes Conservation Area

River Lakes Conservation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 275 Google reviews · Running trail in Rockledge, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from River Lakes 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.

ShadedScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Wetland area & wildlife habitat popular for bird-watching, fishing, boating, hiking & picnicking.

What runners say about River Lakes Conservation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (275 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“5 miles, there was a beautiful shaded area to have a picnic.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“The majority of the hike is on access roads with no shade, but the last bit to the River is shaded and lovely.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“Quiet out-of-the-way place to take your dog for a walk or just find some solitude.”

Pretty area by the St. Johns River. Managed by SJRWMD and accessible to the public. The majority of the hike is on access roads with no shade, but the last bit to the River is shaded and lovely. There is a day use pavillion once you reach the River. 6 miles or more round trip.

★★★★☆ — Jacob , Jun 2018

Quiet out-of-the-way place to take your dog for a walk or just find some solitude. There is a parking area and dogs must be on a leash.

★★★★★ — Robin , Jan 2018

Nice place for a long nature walk. We also heard some shooting along the way. It is a wildlife management area, so be aware of that during hunting season. Seasons are posted at the parking lot.

★★★★★ — Larry , Feb 2017

Great are to go for hikes. The grass can get high and it is wild, so insects can get out of hand. Wear routes shoes, bug spray, sun screen, hat and sun glasses. Enjoy

★★★★☆ — Vincent , May 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 275 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 6 mentions

“5 miles, there was a beautiful shaded area to have a picnic.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Quiet out-of-the-way place to take your dog for a walk or just find some solitude.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There is a parking area and dogs must be on a leash.”

More trails like this →

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“The majority of the hike is on access roads with no shade, but the last bit to the River is shaded and lovely.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Quiet out-of-the-way place to take your dog for a walk or just find some solitude.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at River Lakes Conservation Area

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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitesjrwmd.com
  • Phone(386) 329-4404

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7 PM
Friday 7 AM–7 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7 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 River Lakes Conservation Area

Rockledge, Florida

Get directions

Running trails near Rockledge

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

River Lakes Conservation Area Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 63 reviews

Melbourne, FL

7 miLoopShadedScenic

Casual trail system for hiking, as well as wildlife-spotting of deer, boar and other creatures.

under a mile away

Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands

4.6 ★★★★★ 702 reviews

Melbourne, FL

LoopScenic

Area featuring a loop trail for views of alligators, herons, egrets and other wildlife.

3.6 miles away

Walking Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 89 reviews

Melbourne, FL

MixedShadedScenic

Linear park with a boardwalk and paved trail popular for walking, running, and biking.

7.0 miles away

Larry L. Schultz Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 403 reviews

Rockledge, FL

ScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a lake at its center, a playground and a jogging path.

7.3 miles away

Dick Blake Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 252 reviews

Rockledge, FL

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Relaxed, clean park featuring a soccer area, a skate park and a playground area.

8.0 miles away

Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary

4.7 ★★★★★ 394 reviews

Rockledge, FL

1 miScenic

Natural sanctuary that’s home to more than 300 scrub jays as well as turtles, rabbits and tortoises.

8.0 miles away

All running trails in Rockledge, 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.