Black Bear Wilderness Area
Black Bear Wilderness Area
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
12
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Xterri6
New Port Richey, FL59 contributions
May 2020 • Friends
This is an excellent hike! Plenty of varied terrain, instead of just flats that we’re used to in Florida. Saw a few gators, birds and snakes. My only complaint of this area is the parking situation is terrible. The parking lot is small and you have to wait for someone to leave because there is nowhere to park close by.
Written May 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra C
Boynton Beach, FL806 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We arrived to hike this 7.1 mile loop trail at 8:30am. The small parking area already had several cars. The trail winds through marsh & floodplains with an abundance of hardwoods & foliage which borders several miles of St Johns River. We started the loop counter clockwise & glad we did. We enjoyed this direction better as the last couple miles were the least visually appealing & less strenuous. The trail was narrow with numerous tree roots, drop offs & required careful footing. Glad we wore proper hiking shoes. We were surprised to see people running by. The many boardwalks & peekaboo views of St Johns River along the way are nice. The trail is mostly shaded by the many trees & foliage. There are park benches occasionally along the way. We saw a deer, alligators, butterflies & many birds. Approximately 3.5 miles in there is a primitive camp site with a bbq & picnic bench one of which is covered. There are no restroom facilities anywhere on site. To hike the entire trail with stopping for pictures & nourishment took us 3.5 hours.
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spt2323
Orlando, FL164 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
This was a fantastic hike. I did it backwards which I thought was much better. If you do, you finish along the river for 4.5 miles of gorgeous scenery. The first 2.5 (technically the last if you go the normal way) are very cool through the forest but finishing along that river is amazing. Definitely a rooty hike half of the time so be careful. I did the 7 miles in 1:42, brisk pace that almost made the terrain easier.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan C
Chelmsford, UK68 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We did the full walk on the Saturday of the Labour Day weekend, it was surprisingly quiet. It was warm out and very humid, so we 'felt' the 7miles. But, it was a very interesting and varied walk. Well maintained boardwalk sections, and paths good. The beginning out towards the boardwalk is full of roots you need to navigate but we had a great time.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewn4U
21 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I am a Florida native and the swamp lands do not really excite me; however, I do love an adventure and decided to give this place a try. It took my family with teens 3.5 hours to hike the 7 miles. I wish I could have enjoyed the scenery more but was constantly looking where I walked to avoid tripping on a tree root. We did see a baby gator, eggs or some sort, and tons of large snail shells along the river. The weather was cool but the mosquitoes were out in full force. I was also stung by a wasp. Overall, a decent hike but a little long for the teenagers to walk - they were wiped at the 5 miles mark.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BearFacts
United States321 contributions
Feb 2020
We have been wanting to visit this site for a while. It is primitive with narrow trails, tree roots galore, and some steep drop-offs but we enjoyed it. We walked to the St Johns and back and then went about a half mile in the other direction from the boardwalk. We wanted to enjoy the diversity. It is a bit of a rough walk but no worse than mountain hiking. We went on a cool day and we luckily did not experience mosquitoes. Due to the cool temperature, we saw water birds and that's it. But we still enjoyed being out there.
There are no bathrooms and parking is unpaved,
There are no bathrooms and parking is unpaved,
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe Getsabout
Lancaster, PA61 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
This trail is usually not crowded, and mostly in shade. BUT, bring water and comfortable, sturdy shoes. Best in mornings while it's a little cooler. A perfect trail to get away for a couple hours, and right in our own neighborhood. Hogs, Deer, Gators, and many species of birds. There's also a small picnic area about half way. Nice trail.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DiMauro72
100 contributions
Apr 2020 • Couples
Its a great 7.1 hike. Able to see animals. The path can be a little rough at times if you are unsteady. Bring water and snacks as it can take 3-4 hours. Follows the river in places. Nice day getaway
Written May 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrin
Wellington, New Zealand22 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Walks in Florida can be hit or miss, but this one was surprisingly good. Plenty of wildlife in attendance, although no bears or alligators this time around. The walk is easy, with lots of scenery to take in. Highly recommended.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan T
Daytona Beach, FL134 contributions
Feb 2020
Hitting Central Florida trails and parks. Stop 4. Came here with my wife. Looking for a good hiking trail and found it here. Feeling adventurous we did the 7 mile loop. Suggest hiking boots for this. The first half of the trail (go right) is great with some tight climbs, narrow paths and deep foliage and trees & St johns river. Be careful walking as there are lots of tree roots to navigate.This might be tough for young kids. There were several types of birds throughout from woodpeckers to egrets and herons. Caught a good view of an alligator wading off the side in a marshy area. The second half of the trail, after the small camp site,is flatter and more open. Not much to see there. would go back for the first half of trail and turn around.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it safe despite the alligators, bears and snakes?
Written December 2, 2018
Yes! We personally only saw a small gator in the distance. If you do see one of the names creatures, most wont mess with you if you don’t mess with them. Wouldn’t bring my dog though just in case. Also, watch your step while on the trail to make she you don’t step on a snake.
Written December 9, 2018
Is the Black Wilderness currently closed? The Seminole County website says so, but it has said so for a very long time.
Thanks.
Written October 7, 2018
It is open. There are times it will close if there has been a recent storm.
Written February 5, 2019
I would love to see bears in the wild! Have people had much luck seeing them?
What is the safest thing to do if you do encounter them?
Thanks!
Written August 4, 2018
I see them pretty regularly around my neighborhood. I have seen them a few times in the Black Bear Wilderness area. The safest thing to do is make noise when you are walking in the woods so that you don’t sneak up on them. I have only ever seen a bear being cautious about me, it will stare and then walk away. If it is a mother bear she will be more aggressive but only by giving you plenty of warning that she thinks you are too close. She may make huffing noises and stomp her foot. They are beautiful animals and it is always a pleasure to see one.
Written February 5, 2019
I would love to see bears in the wild! Have people had much luck seeing them?
What is the safest thing to do if you do encounter them?
Thanks!
Written August 4, 2018
adknighthawk
Saranac Lake, New York
Is this hike good for a 12 year old and is there ample parking? thanks!
Written February 24, 2017
Yes, it is appropriate for a 12 year old. During our dry period the park was shut down, but it has been raining now so should be OK to go. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Written June 13, 2017
I do all the time but I'm a dude. For women, I would say yes cause I've never seen any creepers here. I would still bring mace or other protection just cause we're so close to Orlando and there are a lot of freaks in Orlando.
Written December 23, 2016
Is it possible to do this trail on a mountain bike?
Written May 5, 2016
We saw bike tracks as well and my husband and I both thought it would be a bit crazy to try to ride a bike there - some parts seemed impossible, I guess you can walk the bike. Then again - we are walkers (not like in TWD), not bikers.
Written May 9, 2016
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