10+ Thrilling Outdoor Activities in Jacksonville FL

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Explore the great outdoors in Jacksonville

It’s time to start planning some outdoor eco-adventures that include camping, climbing, kayaking, and channeling your inner wild explorer!

The Yards

Are you searching for the ultimate outdoor activity? Look no further than The Yards! Nestled in Jacksonville’s hot spot for golf, the Sawgrass Players Club, this is truly a one-of-a-kind venue for sports and entertainment. With a 12-hole golf course, colorful pickleball courts, and an amazing Tennis Center, make The Yards your go-to destination for outdoor fun! Open to the public, this spot would be perfect for a date night or an active girls’ day out! Book your tee time now, and get excited to experience the ultimate sports destination in Ponte Vedra. 254 Alta Mar Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Canyons Zip line and Canopy Tours

You might be thinking, “Canyons In Florida!” Yes! And they are the most exhilarating place to soar through when ziplining through at over 45 meters in the air. At the Canyons Zip line and Canopy Tours, you can not only see Florida’s only mountainous scenery, but you can fly over it. Located in Ocala, they offer not only spectacular, award-winning ziplines, but horseback riding and kayaking so you can be sure to experience the air, water, and land of outdoor adventure. 8045 NW Gainesville Rd, Ocala, FL 34475

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens

Taka day trip to Ceadar Lakes Woods and Gardens! These botanical gardens used to be a quarry and now it has been transformed into a magical place. You’ll be able to explore waterfalls, koi ponds, wildlife, tons of flowers and so much more! Exploring these grounds could take a few hours, so be sure to bring a bottle of water and a picnic if you’d like! Dogs are welcome, just be sure to let the owners know beforehand. For more day trips visit the link below!

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Great Runs

Looking to explore Jacksonville on foot? This sprawling Florida city offers runners incredible variety, from downtown riverfront paths along the St. Johns River to 20 miles of hard-packed beach sand and scenic trails through places like Guana River State Park. Love to go on scenic runs around the city? Great Runs has fantastic suggestions on their website, with detailed guides covering everything from the historic neighborhoods of San Marco and Ortega to the peaceful natural preserves, plus extensive running guides for nearby Amelia Island and St. Augustine areas.

Jax Fray

If you’re looking for a great way to get outside and stay active, Jax Fray is a great option! They have so much to offer, from social sports leagues and tournaments to special events. Also, they have so many sports to choose from – cornhole, basketball, volleyball, soccer, – you name it, they got it! Get outside, enjoy this great Florida weather, and join a team with Jax Fray!

Looking for a fun hike?

Check out some of our favorite hikes in North Florida, from Bulls Bay Preserve to the Jacksonville Arboretum!

Best hiking trails in Jax

Jacksonville is full of so many amazing hikes around town! From exploring the marsh to walking through beautiful botanical gardens, we’ve got it all. View our list of 5+ must-try hikes in Jacksonville below, lace up your boots, and get hiking!

Beautiful outdoor & botanical gardens in the 904!

Explore these gorgeous gardens in and around Jacksonville and make your plans to visit now!

Amelia Island Board Rentals

Hop on an electric skateboard or Harley-style scooter for a super rad way to explore Amelia Island! This historic and popular holiday destination is made that much more fun when you’re cruising around town! Visit the oldest bar in America or simply stay beachside on your board, exploring all the nooks and crannies of the city. You’ll get to know the city quickly in the open air making your own Amelia Island adventure!

Gregor MacGregor Mini Links & Drinks

Nothing says “Florida downtime” like sipping an Arnold Palmer with vodka and hitting the greens. You can imbibe while passing the time during a round of putt-putt adjacent to Fernandina’s Amelia River. Complete with a beachy bar, lush course, snacks, and a comfy patio, Gregor MacGregors is the perfect way to take respite from the suffering of a long work week. 201 Alachua St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Best beaches in Jax

Don't miss out on spectacular spots like Boneyard Beach and Fort Clinch State Park!

Must visit beaches

From shark tooth hunting to long walks exploring the shore, be sure to check out our unique beaches in the 904!

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Bluewater Adventure St. Augustine

Take a tour on a unique two-seater catamaran on Matanzas Bay! These fun and fast boats allow you to explore the waterways of St. Augustine, including historic sites such as Castillo de San Marcos, the Great Cross, and the lighthouse, as well as dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife basking on the shores. These easy-to-maneuver catamarans can go up to 30 miles an hour! It’s the perfect way to tour St. Aug while beating the heat and seeing the city from a whole new perspective! 117 Dockside Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Get Up & Go Kayaking

Peek under the surface with Get Up & Go Kayaking! Rated as a #1 Traveler’s Choice, Get up & Go specializes in guided kayak tours of Florida’s hidden ecosystem–all in a clear kayak! You’ll feel immersed in the crystal-clear waters of Florida’s natural springs while gliding in a transparent kayak through it. You can watch fish float by underneath you and see the river from a whole new perspective! Get Up & Go even offers bioluminescent and manatee tours pending season and availability! With tours all over Florida, an adventure always awaits!

More kayaking and boating in Jax

They don't call us the River City for nothing! Get out and explore the waterways of Jax.

Water activities

Our personal favorite outdoor activity in Jacksonville is kayaking and boating! So, the next time you’re looking for something to do on the open water, why not go on a kayak adventure or boat tour Check out some of our favorite spots for kayaking and boating in Jacksonville!

Pedal Pub Jax

Pedal Pub Jax is the perfect combination of leisure, exercise, and outdoor fun. Grab some friends and roam the streets in Pedal Pub’s “Dutch Party Bikes, ” tour Jacksonville, and hit up some of the best bars and breweries in the area! The bike itself is BYOB so you can sip while you’re between destinations or just ride to enjoy it. Choose between the Heart of Downtown Tour, the Springfield Brewery Tour, Riverside, or the Tailgate Tour for a boozy way to explore the entire city. On a Pedal Pub tour, the party never stops because you can take the bar with you! 740 King Street Jacksonville, FL 32204

Sea Serpent Airboat Tours

Do you prefer to travel by air or by boat Why not have both! When you travel by airboat with Sea Serpent Airboat Tours, you can experience the thrill of skimming the water’s surface at 850 horsepower, then slowing down to trek through backwoods swamps and learn all about Florida’s rich history. Sea Serpent Airboat tours through the St. Johns River, where you can see gators, osprey, deer, and wild boar along the way. 6550 FL-13 N, St. Augustine, FL 32092

Boat Tours

What to experience the outdoors but have all the amenities of hitting your favorite bar “Chillax” on one of North Florida’s boat pedal tours! Choose between pedaling the St. Johns on Kraken CycleBoats or ride the Matanzas with Cruisin’ Tikis in St. Augustine. Kraken CycleBoats’ style of “pedal-pub” cruising is great for groups who want to tour the waterways fueling their own paddle wheels with part elbow grease and part boozy fun. Cruisin’ Tikis offers partygoers their very own floating tiki lounge, complete with a thatch roof, a cooler full of beer, and tunes. Whichever your style, each tour is better with friends!

Try an amazing pop-up picnic

Soak up the sun with a cute outdoor picnic! There are so many cute options to choose from in the 904.

Our favorite picnic companies

What better way to celebrate the beautiful weather in Jacksonville then with a luxurious picnic! Any good pop up picnic should feature all the comforts of dining indoors with the fun of being in nature.

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More outdoor attractions

Go on an awesome adventure and check out these can't-miss tours!

Animal activities

Are you an animal lover like us? Be sure to check out these incredible experiences and locations to get up close and personal with your favorite wildlife!

Wild Adventures

Live life on the wild side with Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia! This road-trip-worthy amusement park has something for everyone - from adorable animals and unique critters to thrilling rides and good times. When we checked out this awesome adventure, we absolutely had to add the animal feeding experience to our visit. This package includes giraffe, birdhouse, and gator feedings, plus a cup of feed for your visit to the petting zoo and nature pond as well! Get up close and personal with all your favorite creatures at this iconic theme park, just a 2-hour drive away from Jax! 3766 Old Clyattville Road Valdosta, GA 31601

Photo credit Congaree and Penn

Congaree and Penn

Known for its scenic beauty and elevated dining experiences, Congaree and Peen also serves as an amazing farm experience! Get up close and personal with some adorable critters like sweet goats, chickens, ducks, and horses as you tour the gorgeous land. There is also plenty of majestic Florida flora and fauna to observe, from cheerful wildflowers to graceful blue herons. 11830 Old Kings Road Jacksonville, Florida 32219

Marineland

Swim with the dolpins at the world’s first oceanariam, right here in the First Coast! This “oceanfront playground” has been delighting visitors since 1938. Located in St. Augustine right on A1A, there are so many amazing animal encounters to experience at Marineland. Take a dip with the dolphins, become a trainer for a day, or just enjoy observing amazing aquatic animals at this fun-for-all attraction!

9600 Oceanshore Blvd St Augustine, FL 32080 USA

Meet a manatee

Go adventuring in Florida's natural springs and meet adorable wildlife!

Manatee snorkling

Get up close and personal with some of Florida's cutest residents at Crystal River - the only place you can swim and snorkel with manatees!

Catty Shack Ranch

Lions, Tigers, Leopards, oh my! Visit Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary to get up close and personal with some gorgeous exotic animals. as a non-profit organization, their mission is to “provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big cats, and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and captivity.”

With several big cats and other unique animals calling the Catty Shack home, this can’t-miss attraction provides a unique experience unlike any other in Jacksonville. We recommend visiting at feeding time for an unbelievable animal encounter.

1860 Starratt Road Jacksonville, FL 32226

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Feed a giraffe, play with some goats, or meet a lorakeet at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! With tons of exotic animals from around the world, there is so much to explore and learn at this can’t-miss animal experience. The Zoo offers unique exhibits where tigers can lounge above you and lemurs can leap over your head! Plus, with a kids zone, a train to ride, and ton of delicious snacks, this experience provides something for the whole family!

370 Zoo Parkway Jacksonville, FL 32218

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Curated by

Becca McCandless

Duval Native | Sunshine State ☀️ | Aspiring Plant Mom 🌱