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Sylvan Lake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 638 Google reviews · Running trail in Sanford, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Sylvan Lake 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.

BoardwalkShadedScenicRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Large park with tennis courts & lessons, plus soccer fields, running trails & fishing.

What runners say about Sylvan Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (638 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 10 mentions

“Wonderful playground area very shaded very well kept really pretty highly recommend”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“There are many picnic tables under beautiful pavilions and benches for taking in the sound of nature around the lake.”

🌳 shaded & cool 5 mentions

“Wonderful playground area very shaded very well kept really pretty highly recommend”

This park has hidden beauty in all the picnic areas and wildlife trails, you just have to look for it. @jhphotodad

★★★★★ — J , Mar 2024

Great sports and nature park. Lots to here. Plenty of nice tennis courts, like 4 racquetball walls, soccer fields galore. Nice trails to walk n Pavillions to BBQ, plus a fishing dock and lake to enjoy. Very serene. If you are in the area, stop by and see for yourself

★★★★★ — G'S , Oct 2022

Lovely walking loop is mostly shady. There are many picnic tables under beautiful pavilions and benches for taking in the sound of nature around the lake. Tennis courts and ball fields are beautifully maintained.

★★★★★ — Pauline , Apr 2026

Great fields, boardwalk is nice, bathroom ok. Dirt roads are a bit of a hassle but the shaded parking is top tier. Love this park, always busy.

★★★★★ — Kristina , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 638 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.

🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“Soccer matches for MLS Next Qualifier - clean field areas and good bathrooms.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“There are many picnic tables under beautiful pavilions and benches for taking in the sound of nature around the lake.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“Wonderful playground area very shaded very well kept really pretty highly recommend”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“There's many fields, a public restroom that's clean and ample parking.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 2 mentions

“Great fields, boardwalk is nice, bathroom ok.”

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🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“I love when I can find bathrooms and water fountains.”

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Plan your run at Sylvan Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • Websiteseminolecountyfl.gov
  • Phone(407) 665-2180
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–10 PM
Thursday 8 AM–10 PM
Friday 8 AM–10 PM
Saturday 8 AM–8 PM
Sunday 8 AM–8 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 Sylvan Lake Park

845 Lake Markham Rd, Sanford, FL 32771

Get directions

Running trails near Sanford

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

Seminole Wekiva Trail - Markham Woods Trailhead

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MixedScenic

System of well-maintained dirt and paved routes for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

under a mile away

Florida Trail Markham South Trailhead

5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

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under a mile away

Wilson's Landing Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

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Scenic

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Arbor Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

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BoardwalkDog-friendly

2.4 miles away

Oval Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 131 reviews

Lake Mary, FL

ShadedScenic

Beautiful park and green space, featuring walking trails, open fields, and trees.

2.5 miles away

Florida Trail Bear Pond Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Sorrento, FL

ShadedScenic

Serene park surrounding a lake and a pond, offering trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Sanford, 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.