Home › Florida › Orlando › Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area
Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 435 Google reviews · Running trail in Orlando, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 5.4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental 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.
Nearly 2,000 largely undeveloped acres offering wildlife viewing, horseback riding & hiking trails.
What runners say about Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area
“The trail map at the parking lot trailhead shows the different types of habitats you can walk through with trail lengths as well as points to look out at beautiful lake vistas.”
“There's not much shade between the hammocks but once in the forested areas, you'll have some cover.”
“Others have mentioned that the trails were not clearly marked so I studied the map and found an app (Gaia) that would track my steps on a map for backup.”
“This is a nice little gem here in central Florida that's a must visit if you're looking for beautiful peaceful scenery and surroundings and some good hiking.”
Split Oak has some of the most well preserved and high quality native central Florida habitats in the Orlando area, including pine flatwoods, cypress dome swamps, sawgrass marsh, oak hammock, and even scrub.
Such a shame that Orange and Osceola counties have decided to ignore the pleas of their constituents and build a highway directly through this absolute treasure of diverse & exceptionally well-maintained natural Florida ecosystems.
Gorgeous park, wildlife is abundant and healthy. Trails can be a bit tricky the first time but getting “lost” is part of the fun. The main trails are well marked and really only a few of them. Easy ways to walk 2, 4, 5, and 6 mile walks and combinations. Lakes are gorgeous. Def want bug spray and sunblock.
HI, I am full time RV traveler and I visit many places. Nature parks are my destination priority as I do photograph landscape and wildlife. Split Oak Forest is beautiful nature park I have been visiting the last 13 years.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail map at the parking lot trailhead shows the different types of habitats you can walk through with trail lengths as well as points to look out at beautiful lake vistas.”
“This is a nice little gem here in central Florida that's a must visit if you're looking for beautiful peaceful scenery and surroundings and some good hiking.”
“We did the 5.4 mile outer loop but started from the connector leading out of the Moss Park campground - this made the round trip about 7 miles.”
“There are tons of massive, gorgeous oak trees dripping in air plants, including the name sake split oak that’s marked on the trail map by the blue blazed lake loop.”
“The trail map at the parking lot trailhead shows the different types of habitats you can walk through with trail lengths as well as points to look out at beautiful lake vistas.”
“best to follow the marker numbers / use a trail map / app to track direction & it’ll be enjoyable.”
“There's not much shade between the hammocks but once in the forested areas, you'll have some cover.”
“It's free and there are maps at the front you can take with you so you don't get lost lol there are no bathrooms not even at the front.”
“The connector trail was pretty muddy (for tennis shoes) but hiking boots would be recommended as a ranger said the connector stays wet.”
Plan your run at Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance5.4 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitemyfwc.com
- Phone+1 352-732-1225
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Orlando
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
