JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tie up your laces and join in a nationwide event happening on Saturday, June 6. It’s National Trails Day!
According to the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day® is an annual call to action, prompting trail enthusiasts to engage in trail maintenance projects, advocate for public land conservation, and participate in cleanups and outdoor education events.
In a time when outdoor spaces require our attention more than ever, the American Hiking Society calls on individuals of all ages and abilities to reconnect with nature and their communities.
Tyler Ray, the senior director for programs and advocacy for the American Hiking Society, joined the Friday Weather Authority Weekday show on News4JAX+.
Ray spoke about the importance of National Trails Day, saying “it’s an opportunity to get out and explore either trails that they love and go to on a regular basis or find a hidden gem they may not have been to before.”
Watch the entire interview here (can fast forward to 10:30 mark)
In addition to finding that hidden gem or enjoying the same trail over and over, Ray stresses the need to leave a trail cleaner than you found it and being respectful of the surrounding nature.
Duval County has largest urban parks system in US
We are fortunate in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida to be surrounded by both land and water.
But did you know that between the ocean and the river in Duval County alone, there are over 400 parks and preserves, which total more than 80,000 acres of parkland?
“Jacksonville has the largest urban parks system in the country. You can visit Jacksonville.gov to see a map of parks and filter by the amenities the parks offer,“ Jolie Friedrich said. ”All City of Jacksonville parks are free to visit except for our oceanfront parks, Huguenot Memorial Park and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, which have a $5 entry fee.”
Friedrich has worked for JaxParks for over a decade and is the lead naturalist for the City of Jacksonville. She has a master’s degree in Wildlife Forensics and Conservation and is an instructor for the Florida Master Naturalist Program.
Some of Friedrich’s best tips (and mine!) for hiking in Northeast Florida are: “Always bring more water than you think you will need while hiking in Florida! Bug spray and sun protection are recommended for a more comfortable experience.”
Let’s go for a hike
A few local events happening on Saturday and trails you can visit are:
Fee-free day at Osceda Forest: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/05/13/forest-service-announces-additional-2026-fee-free-day-june-6
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Canoe Pole Trail Hike
S-Line Trail Clean-Up: https://www.groundworkjacksonville.org/event/s-line-cleanup-jun2026/