Find the top rated birding trails in Palatka, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Just moved here from Pasco County on the west coast of Florida where I was spoiled by the Suncoast / Starkey trails. Only been on two trails, St. Aug to Palatka (which i found depressing, and annoying playing frogger across two 4 lane divided highways and a stretch next to a manure plant).
This trail was a breath of fresh air though. It's mostly wooded, and sheltered from the winds for the most part. There are two spots to get fresh, clean, cold and GOOD TASTING water. Being creative with the routes to get 30, 35, 40 and 50 mile rides.
Only complaint is that there are sections that are very bumpy, and until you find the right lines you're going to get rattled around on a road bike with narrow tires...
There are 2 crossings over public roadways but otherwise a nice ride! Would recommend going during the week as I suspect the trail will be more occupied with Rinus over the weekend. Very tranquil lots of trees which blocks the sun making the ride more enjoyable.
Once again, I have to tip my helmet to the people planning Florida's biking system!!! I have ridden (and reviewed ) some of the other trails on the planned cross Florida route. The MHC is another shining example of what a State and counties can achieve!!! What a great use of taxpayer money!!! The trail in very well maintained. Very clean. The ride is varied with hills, dense forest, curves, a newer growth forest-all on a nice wide , smooth path!!! I did the 33 mile round trip and am looking forward to the extensions that are planned in the future!!!! Bravo!!!
There are parts of this trail that take your breath away, with lakes and streams and boardwalks that take you out into nature. The trail is well maintained with lots of shade. It’s awesome!
Love the newly paved path. (4 stars) there’s a bathroom near the cemetery/picnic area. (Didn’t see it until we were driving to Palatka) The only thing I didn’t like about the newly built portion...no shade. The bridges were cool and we did see some gators and turtles. Maybe ride it in the early morning or late afternoon during the hot months. Just a thought...
WoW what a fantastic trail. We started our journey in Baldwin at the trailhead which is a former rail station. WE traveled towards Jacksonville. The trail offers great sights. The trail is flat as well as paved. The trail cuts through wooded areas that offer a ton of wild life. We saw a Black Snake (actual name as well as color) not poisonous, Turkeys, Turtles, Eagles. We did not expect this trail to be as good as it is. Take water on this trip. There are rest areas about every five miles apart. We rode the trail in April on a sunny and 85 degree day. We found other cyclist on this trail to be natives and very friendly and glad to have out of towners riding the trail. This is a connector trail and even though the traffic at times was heavy it was always well spaced apart. Enjoy this one.
We rode from the Lake Monroe Park TH at the southern end near I 4 expressway to Gemini Springs. My wife is not an experienced bicyclist and does not ride longer distances or on the road. She loved this trail! It is very scenic with shaded board walks or smooth asphalt surfaces. It is moderately busy with cyclists, walkers and skaters. The people are courteous + unusually friendly. We had several great conversations when asking the locals for information. Past Gemini Springs it becomes more suburban along roads, but the initial portion is mostly wooded. We turned around and drove to Green Spring which is beautiful but emits sulfur odor.
A fun adventure I almost did not come because of the short mileage but discovered a gem of a park and ended up completing 7.7 miles in exploring the park and trail.
Inside the park the trail is not marked, I just rode on the hardpacked shell roads and explored, outside the park entrance, there is a beautiful concrete wide trail that is totally shaded, a beautiful gem but that section is short.
I parked inside the Tomoka state park (do have to pay a fee to enter) at the "Tomoka Outpost" which unfortunately is closed on Wednesday as it seemed to have everything. The restrooms were open, and the view of the river/intercoastal was fantastic.
Parking was confusing at first, by the outpost most of the parking spaces are for cars with boat trailers as that is also the boat launch. Right next to the building they reserve a bunch of spots for customers/quick drop offs. There is a lot more parking right across the streets but no signs to direct you there.
I first road north on the hard packed crushed rock/sand road and had no problems on my hybrid bike. I even rode my bike on the nature trail (on one end marked .5 miles and on the other end marked 1 mile) it was hard packed and just wide enough for the hybrid. I explored several side roads, one leads to picnic areas on the intercoastal and that road has some big dips that could fill with water but must drain fast as it rained the night before and they were dry but muddy for my ride, I could easily avoid on the edges. The other side road leads down to the RV camping area.
Upon leaving the park entrance, you cross the road and that is where the concrete and totally shady trail is. Beautiful but that section is short.
You can continue on down N Beach street on a sidewalk all the way to Ormond Beach at W Granada Blvd. You don't have views of the intercoastal but the houses are nice and it could make for a nice ride. There are some pretty gardens at Granada Blvd and you can also connect to the Halifax River trail (really a sidewalk but with an intercoastal river view)
I only take 1 star away for the lack of signage, and its a fun adventure on a hybrid bike or mountain bike. Not a road bike trail.
Attended the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday 6 April, 2019. About 200 people...riders, trail group pavilions, dignitaries, and trail friends. Official opening of the last link from Spuds thru Hastings to the rest of the segment starting west of Hastings. Beautiful run. Got a newly broken in 40.6 mile bike saddle butt on the new Palatka to St Augustine State Trail, which will become another finished segment of the St Johns River 2 Sea Loop, a 250 mile loop in north central Florida.
Parked in Hastings FL and went east out first to the end of segment near I-95 heading towards St Augustine 24.2 miles out and back. Then headed west to the trailhead in Palatka. 16.4 miles out and back. Little sore in the saddle the last few miles. Overall. A great day, and a new daily distance record. 283 total miles recorded in the first two months of trail biking in central Florida. Mostly rails to trails corridors.
All I can say is it is definitely worth the trip. Beautiful trail, well maintained and friendly people.
Great trail with lots of curves and hills to keep it interesting.Also a lot of shade and few road crossings. Other then Santos trail head there is no water available which can be an issue. Bike rentals available at Santos trail head.
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