Nature Center Trails
Our Trails
Nature Center Volunteers maintain nine foot paths/trails. These trails give residents and guests of TGO many opportunities to get out in nature and enjoy the natural beauty found all around us. From waterways and marshes to meadows and forests with a wide assortment of plants and wildlife. All trails except the multi-use Nature Trail maintained by CSA are for walking or hiking, no vehicles permitted.
When hiking, be aware of your surroundings. Hike with someone, dress appropriately, carry a cell phone, the use of sunscreen and insect repellant are recommended.
Mattila Trail
The Matilla Trail begins on the north side of the TGO Nature Center parking area and continues to the power line access gate. Follow the powerlines north watching for white blazes. Turn right into the forest behind Hidden Lakes and continue to follow the white blazes that loop through this area then back to the powerlines and cross over through the marsh to join with the interpretive trail on the berm.
Total distance 1.2 miles.
Juba Interpretive Trail
Access the easy walking Juba Interpretive Trail on the south side of the nature center parking area. Along the way there are interpretive signs with information about plants and animals that may be seen from the trail. The south side of the trail drops off steeply to the Addison canal, while the north side slopes down to the marsh. This is an out and back trail that is high and dry year round.
Total distance .33 mile.
Addison Trail
Begin the Addison Trail at the north end of the Golf Cart Nature Trail at the west end of Addison Way. A Florida Trail sign marks the entrance through a cattle gate. This is an easy walk on top of the berm formed when the canal was created, so it is usually dry. The trail runs about ¾ of a mile along the berm as the canal cuts through the Canaveral Marsh Tract of the St. Johns River ‘Valley’ to where the canal turns south.
Total distance 1.53 miles.
Pisarz Trail
Access the Pisarz Trail (white blazes) via the gate north of the Greenwing access to the Golf Cart Nature Trail. This beautiful trail goes through a mixed forest then follows a fire break that goes between forest and marsh. In early summer Butterfly Orchids may be spotted on some of the Red Cedar trees. As with all of our trails the wildflowers change with the seasons. Be aware that in rainy seasons the low areas will have standing water. Distance 1.6 miles.
Karen Earley Trail
Access the Earley Trail (yellow blazes) via the gate north of the Greenwing access to the Golf Cart Nature Trail. Walk south on the firebreak until you see the yellow blaze on your right to enter the Karen Earley Trail. When you reach the Indian Mound Trail (red blazes) you may choose to follow to connect to the Pisarz Trail for the return to the trailhead. Or you can continue following the yellow blazes to the Golf Cart Trail. This trail tends to have mud or standing water during the rainy season. Distance about 2 miles.
Indian Mound Trail
Begin the Indian Mound Trail at the gate north of the bridge on the Golf Cart Nature Trail. This trail begins along a fire break maintained by St. Johns Water Management, then enters an area where early Native Americans had a seasonal camp. Stopper trees alert you to a change in elevation and vegetation. Follow the red blazes that mark this looping trail.
Distance 1.4 miles
Watson Trail
Enter The Watson Trail at the gate west of the library on the Golf Cart Nature Trail. This is a moderately easy trail that wanders through a section of the Canaveral Marsh Tract of the St. Johns River flood plain. Enjoy the shade of pine, palm and oak hammocks. This trail is closed September 1st to March 31st. Distance 1.07 miles. (.3 mi. along the Golf Cart Trail to start).
Claire & Earnie Carlson Trail
The Claire & Ernie Carlson Trail begins on the path between the TGO Library and the Golf Cart Nature Trail. Look for a post with a white blaze and a blue blaze. Follow the blue blaze to the Golf Cart trail follow that west and north to the double white blaze where you turn back into the forest area. Continue to follow the white blazes back to the beginning. This is an easy walk through pines, palms and oaks.
Distance .94 miles
Betty Salter Trail
The Betty Salter Trail begins at the first gate after entering the Golf Cart Nature Trail from Raccoon Road. It begins on a berm separating marsh from a wetland that often has standing water. At the drainage canal that borders SJWMD property, turn left to follow the berm toward Buck Lake. Along the way you will pass two natural ponds before arriving at a weir crossing with a coated wire hand rail. The rest of the trail has more shade as you walk through pines, palms and oaks. Distance 1 mile.