Tallahassee Parks and Trails

The City of Tallahassee has a wide variety of parks and trails where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite pastimes. With eighty-seven parks, over seventy-five miles of trail, and approximately 3,500 acres of park land, there is sure to be something for everyone! The following is a summary of a few favorite things to do and places to recreate in Tallahassee’s parks.

Cascades Park

Location: 1001 Gadsden St.

Trails: Approximately 2.4 miles of paved pathways

This award-winning storm water management facility disguised as a park is one of Tallahassee’s newest attractions. At over twenty-four acres, it’s a great place to learn about the early history of Tallahassee and see progressive urban planning at its finest. This park was made possible through a local one-cent sales tax that voters passed in 1989. Cascades Park includes the Prime Meridian Marker, which was originally set in 1824 and is the starting point for all land surveys in the state! Also, the Capital City Amphitheater, located in Cascades Park, is an incredible venue for big name and up-and-coming artists alike. A visit to the Smokey Hollow Commemoration site is also a must. During Tallahassee’s hot summers, Cascades Park is an awesome place to take the kids to cool off and play in Imagination Fountain. The fountain features seventy-three water jets that are programmed to music and lights!

Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

Location: 4600 N. Meridian Rd.

Trails: Red Bug Mountain Bike Trail—3.7 miles intermediate and advanced options, 10 miles multi-use shell rock/natural surface, and 7 miles hiking/running trails

Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park is a gem in Tallahassee’s park system. The park is approximately 688 acres and is located north of Tallahassee off of Meridian and Miller Landing roads. Every year in early March, it is home to the Red Hills International Horse Trials. Phipps Park is also home to an isolated population of the Golden Banded Skipper, a rare butterfly in this part of the country. The City of Tallahassee and the Northwest Florida Water Management District work alongside the North American Butterfly Association to cooperatively manage and protect the Skipper’s habitat. Phipps Park is also a great place to trail run. The park has approximately seven miles of trail dedicated to foot traffic only. Ambitious runners can tack on additional miles by crossing Meridian Road into Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park to run over five more miles of trail.

Tom Brown Park

Location: 501 Easterwood Dr.

Trails: Magnolia Mountain Bike Trail—3.5 mile intermediate level trail with advanced options, Goose Pond Trail—1.5 miles paved, Tom Brown Nature Trails—1.6 miles natural surface

Tom Brown Park, perhaps the most well-known park in Tallahassee, has everything from a disc golf course to sand volleyball, mountain biking trails, an RC track and much more! The park itself is approximately 288 acres and includes the Magnolia Trail, a 3.5 mile intermediate level mountain bike trail that has advanced level riding features. The park is also home to Tallahassee’s Rotary Playground, which is a great place to bring the kids and have a picnic lunch. Tom Brown also has a top notch dog park that was just renovated and features multiple fenced in play areas for different sized dogs.

Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

Location: 4900 Heritage Park Blvd.

Trails: Cadillac Mountain Bike Trail—4.2 mile intermediate level trail with advanced options, Loblolly Mountain Bike Trail—.8 mile easy level trail, Lafayette Heritage Trail—3+ miles multi-use shell rock/natural surface, Lafayette Passage Paddling Trail—6.9 mile canoe/kayak trail

Lafayette Heritage Trail Park shares a border with Tom Brown Park and is accessible near the main trailhead and parking area adjacent to the rotary playground. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park is approximately 798 acres and includes Piney Z Lake, a favorite spot for local fishermen. One unique feature in this park is the Lafayette Passage Paddling Trail which is a 6.9 mile paddling trail that starts near the main parking lot at Piney Z. It includes a short portage over a dam and will take paddlers into Lower Lake Lafayette and through a large Cypress swamp where you have the opportunity to see a variety of birds and other wildlife including alligators! There is a place to hand launch your canoe or kayak, but no gasoline powered motors are permitted in Piney Z Lake.

For more information on City of Tallahassee parks, trails and upcoming events, you can dial our main line at (850) 891-5340 or visit our webpage at www.talgov.com.