Hidden Waters Perserve

If you’re looking for a fun family hike in Central Florida, Hidden Waters Preserve in Eustis might surprise you. We decided to try something new and take the family out on this trail, even though we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. There are multiple trails and different directions to choose from, and honestly, we didn’t know which way we were going to go. But that’s part of the adventure, right?

When we arrived, we expected a large parking area since reviews mentioned “ample parking,” but it turned out to be a smaller lot than we thought. There is a church nearby that could possibly be used as backup parking if needed. Right away, we learned that the preserve is built around a sinkhole and has about a 110-foot elevation change. For Florida, that’s a big deal! That meant we would be hiking down into a sinkhole and then climbing back up, which added a little extra excitement (and challenge) to the day.

At first, we actually parked in the wrong spot and had to move to another entrance to find the Lake Alfred Trail, which leads into the sinkhole area. After getting pointed in the right direction by a friendly couple on the trail, we finally felt like we were on the right path. Not long after, we reached a fork in the trail where we had to choose between the red Ravine Trail and the blue trail. After a little debate, we decided to stick with the blue trail and see where it would take us.

As we continued, we quickly realized how important it is to pay attention to the trail markers. The colored markers on the trees guide your path, but they can be easy to miss if you’re not looking closely. At one point, we took a wrong turn, turned around, and ended up looping back to where we started. It was a little confusing, but it also made the hike more fun and adventurous. The girls stayed positive, and we just kept moving forward together.

The trail itself was full of roots, branches, and narrow paths, which meant we had to watch our step. The changing elevation made it feel very different from your typical Florida hike. One thing we quickly learned was to save energy for the climb back up because that part would not be easy.

About halfway through, we stopped for a snack break and enjoyed some homemade trail mix with cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and raisins. We skipped the chocolate chips since they would have melted in the Florida heat. The quick break gave us the energy we needed to keep going and enjoy the rest of the hike.

Eventually, we came across an area that we believed was the sinkhole. Through the trees, we could see a drop and what looked like water below. While it seemed like the right spot, we weren’t completely sure. There’s a good chance it may have just been a lake, but either way, it was still a cool view and part of the adventure.

The hike back up turned out to be the most challenging part. The incline was steep and reminded us more of hiking in the Smoky Mountains than anything we’ve experienced in Florida. Thankfully, there were benches along the way where we could stop and rest if needed. On the way back, we even spotted a turtle, and surprisingly, it was moving pretty fast!

Overall, we had such a great time visiting Hidden Waters Preserve. Even though we got a little lost and weren’t completely sure if we found the actual sinkhole, it made the experience even more memorable. It’s a fun and unique trail that offers something different from most Florida hikes, especially with the elevation changes and winding paths.

If you’re planning a visit, just be aware that parking is limited, trail markers can be easy to miss, and you’ll definitely want to bring water and snacks. But if you’re up for a little adventure, it’s absolutely worth it. We would definitely go back again—and next time, we’re determined to find that sinkhole for real!