Shingle Creek Trail
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Shingle Creek Trail offers a unique opportunity for families to experience 'Real Florida sights' and diverse wildlife right in the heart of a tourist town, adjacent to the Headwaters of the Everglades. It provides a well-maintained, multi-purpose green space for exercise, nature observation, and even geo-caching, making it an excellent option for active families and nature enthusiasts seeking an accessible outdoor experience.
Key Highlights
- ✓Abundant wildlife viewing opportunities: ospreys carrying fish, herons fishing, turtles, and downy woodpeckers.
- ✓Presence of native flora like Beautyberry bushes and a flowing creek.
- ✓Well-maintained, paved trails suitable for walking, running, biking, and skating.
- ✓Clearly marked trail with quarter-mile markers and cool bridges.
- ✓Informative signs along the way and a scenic overlook.
- ✓Opportunities for birdwatching, nature viewing, and photography.
- ✓Geo-caching available, adding an interactive element to the visit.
Standout Features
- ⭐Direct access and proximity to the Headwaters of the Everglades.
- ⭐Rich biodiversity including specific birds (ospreys, herons, woodpecker) and turtles.
- ⭐Paved, multi-use trails (walking, running, biking, skating).
- ⭐Navigational aids: maps, quarter-mile markers, and informative signs.
- ⭐Specific activity options: geo-caching, birdwatching, photography.
- ⭐Scenic overlook provides picturesque views.
- ⭐Located conveniently in Orlando, close to hotels and tourist attractions.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Bring bikes, skates, or comfortable walking shoes to take full advantage of the paved trails.
- →Look out for specific wildlife like ospreys, herons, turtles, and woodpeckers, as mentioned by reviewers.
- →Be persistent in finding the trail, as some describe it as a 'hidden gem' that can be hard to locate.
- →Park at the Cinemark/behind Dezerland area for easy access to the trail.
- →Bring binoculars for enhanced birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The natural environment is not entirely immersive, with a highway on one side and businesses on the other.
- ⚠Some visitors have reported difficulty finding the location, describing it as a 'hidden gem'.
Price & Value
N/A (No pricing information provided in reviews; implies free public access to the trail.)
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Paved trails are suitable for strollers and likely accessible for wheelchairs.
🚗Parking Info
- •Specific parking available at Cinemark/behind Dezerland.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Trails are nicely marked with quarter-mile markers for navigation and distance tracking.
- •Informative signs are present along the trail, potentially offering guidance or safety information.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are seeking a completely isolated, pure wilderness experience without any signs of civilization (due to proximity to highway and businesses).
Photos
What People Say
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Must Ask Rides
8 months agoAwesome to have a trail side-by-side to the Headwaters of the Everglades. There was wildlife all around. There were ospreys carrying fish and herons fishing. Beautyberry bushes were there. The creek was flowing and turtles were there. A downy woodpecker was in a palm tree working. Excellent green space in progress🎡 🏞
Deron Carter
a year agoNeeded a place to go for a run while on vacation and this park was five minutes away from our hotel. Met all the basic needs. Paved trails, quarter mile markers, map, informative signs along the way, scenic overlook (pictured). Highway on one side and businesses on the other so the environment isn't all nature all the time but it met my needs.
Chris Powers
2 years agoAwesome hiking, biking, birdwatching, nature viewing and photography ops, sparkling waters, and Geo-caching right in the heart of tourist town! Apparently, such a hidden gem, some cannot even find it!? Lol. It's there, I promise.
Andres Avila
a year agoNice place to walk, run, bike and relax This is a place in Orlando where u can do exercises with your family
Rachel Grubb Friedman
2 years agoGREAT paved trail for biking, walking, running, or even skating. It's a very nicely marked trail, with quarter mile markers, cool bridges, and Real Florida sights. Park at Cinemark/behind Dezerland.
Contact Information
5126 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
View on Google Maps