College football season is underway, offering fans opportunities to travel and experience new locales alongside game day festivities. For those heading to Tallahassee for the Week Zero matchup between Florida State and New Mexico State, the region offers several hiking destinations.
Travelers should be prepared for Florida's August heat and humidity. Hydration and appropriate attire are recommended.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park / Lake Overstreet Trails
This park provides a comprehensive hiking experience in the Tallahassee area. The Lake Overstreet trails encompass approximately five miles of multi-use paths winding through live oaks, hills, and ravines surrounding a 144-acre lake. The terrain offers a departure from Florida's typically flat landscape. Kayak rentals are available at nearby Lake Hall.
Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway
This greenway is highlighted for its quintessential North Florida scenery, characterized by large oaks forming a canopy over the paths and rolling countryside. It offers a more relaxed, less strenuous walk for those seeking a peaceful experience.
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
For more adventurous hikers and mountain bikers, Lafayette Heritage Trail Park offers an extensive network of trails. The park features picturesque lake views at sunrise and sunset and includes a notable wooden pedestrian bridge.
Munson Hills Off-Road Bike Trailhead
Located near the Apalachicola National Forest, this trailhead presents a more rugged and natural hiking experience. Described as a challenging option, it is situated south of Tallahassee city limits.
Lake Jackson Mounds State Park
This state park is noted for its historical significance, featuring ancient Indigenous ceremonial mounds. It includes a 0.75-mile interpretive trail that passes the site of an early 19th-century grist mill, as well as a 2.2-mile nature trail. While the boardwalk to the large mound is closed, other areas are accessible and showcase North Florida foliage.
