Conner Preserve

This is a nice preserve on S.R. 52 east of the junction with 41. It is used by remote control aircraft operators and has a landing strip.
There are some wide trails (ie. dirt roads) that get hot in summer. There are some blackberry bushes for foragers…
Cypress Creek Preserve and Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve are also in the area

This is a very nice place to go bird watching. There are really thick woods as you go in on the left and a beautiful lake on the right. The gate is always locked but, you can go in through a walk through gate that is always open. There are some trails around the lake but, be sure to wear some good hiking boots. I can’t say much more than has already been said by the previous reviewer.

Its a nice hiking trail. What I like most is that it is tucked back and clearly not well known. On a Sunday afternoon there was only 1 other car there. No park fees either which is nice. The East side was much dryer and less shade, the west side however was the exact opposite. Although nicer shade coverage alot of the area was still under water from all the heavy rains. And the snakes were out… Almost stepped on a cottonmouth– thank goodness for my fast ninja like reflexes. I jumped off my fiancé (broke a nail) but avoided a snake bite to my ankle I am sure. Just one of the hazards of hiking, so although scary, that stuff is to be expected when you play with nature. So after hiking through what I could, my fiancé had to carry me through some areas because there was no way around the water. By the third «swamp walk» it was too long and way to wet for him to carry me and I had to walk through (too far in to turn back) and was up to my knees in mud. Then once we passed that they hadn’t been able to bring tractors in to clear trail. So the weeds were up to our heads. Although this review seems negative it is just circumstantial to the situation. I would definitely go back in the dryer months and although my non water proof northface hiking boots went for a swim– it was still a fun day and fun story to tell.

Blink and you’ll drive right past Conner Preserve. I did. The entrance has a small unmarked grassy parking area outside of a gated path. At first I was hesitant, thinking maybe the preserve wasn’t open to the public. Next to the gate is an opening big enough for a person to walk through. On the other side is the information kiosk with trail maps and other info confirming I wasn’t trespassing.
There are a series of trails here for mountain biking, equestrians and hikers. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I came here. The trails have some markage in spots but they aren’t the clean cut, well maintained trails you would find in a state park. The only way I knew (hoped I knew) I was staying on the right path was by following a set of tire marks in the grass. The grass was almost knee high by the way. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. This is just fair warning. I came pretty much on a whim and unprepared. Just a man, his beard and an IPhone. Well… that was a bad idea. Come to think of it… I’m full of those. Here’s the 5 minimal things you should bring.
* Water
* Food
* Another person (to eat in case you get lost and run out of food)
* Proper footwear (not sandals)
* Hat (Derby hats not preferred, but you’ll look fabulous so go for it!)
I wandered the trails for about an hour and a half in the Florida summer heat before remembering I was human and needed water and food. The trails I walked were not nice tree canopied trails either, oh no. I’m talkin’ wide open to the noon blazing sun trails. Oh yeah, did I mention I decided to come here at around noon, the peak time of sunage… in addition to not having water, a backpack, food? Yup, I’m a genius.
Anyway, from what I saw, the scenery is typical Florida. Nothing fantastic or particularly eye pleasing. It’s a cool place to come and get lost in nature for a while though. According to the website, they have 16 miles of hiking trails. I will definitely be back to explore it some more when I actually have proper gear.