While RV camping at Lake Griffin State Park in Fruitaland Park, we drove the 15 minutes over to take a hike at Flat Island Preserve, located in Leesburg. It was a foggy morning to start out, which was nice. By the time we were half way through the hike the fog had lifted. The Daubenmire hike at Flat Island Preserve is maintained by the Florida Trail Association, so it is well maintained and well blazed. The main loop trail was around 3.8 miles long. There are a couple of cross trails that will help to cut the hike shorter for those who want that. 

The hike at Flat Island Preserve is very nice. We heard a lot of birds and saw many beautiful trees. The highlight of the hike was a boardwalk back to and over a gorgeous cypress swamp. We loved that! It was so beautiful.  There is kayaking and camping there with a permit. You would have to haul your kayak back a nearly a mile to launch it, but it would be a beautiful experience once you are on the water.

The trail head has a sign-in and out, so be sure to sign in and out when you begin and end your hike. There are also bathrooms there at the parking lot. As you begin the hike it is about a half a mile back before you get to where the loop begins. We went right and it will end up making it's way back to that point. 

This was a very nice hike. If you are in the Leesburg area and looking for a nice hike, be sure to check out the Daubenmire trail at Flat Island Preserve. And while you are in the area, stop by Lake Griffin State Park (15 minutes away) to see the second largest live oak tree in the state. It's a gorgeous tree, just a 10 minute walk to it, and it's worth seeing. 

Here are pictures from hiking at Flat Island Preserve in Leesburg: