Coastal Lifestyle
Parks & Outdoor Activities
From ancient live oak forests at Bulow Creek to kayaking the Tomoka River and cycling the coastal loop — the Daytona Beach area offers year-round outdoor adventure right out your front door.
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Tomoka State Park — Ormond Beach
One of the crown jewels of the Daytona area, Tomoka State Park sits at the confluence of the Tomoka and Halifax rivers in northern Ormond Beach. The park features 100+ campsites, a boat launch, fishing piers, picnic pavilions, and several miles of hiking and biking trails through coastal hammock and wetland habitat. The Fred Dana Marsh Museum on-site covers the area's Timucuan history.
Bulow Creek State Park — Ormond Beach
Bulow Creek State Park protects one of the largest remaining stands of ancient live oaks in Florida. The Bulow Woods Trail runs over 6 miles through towering oaks draped in Spanish moss — a rare old-growth corridor. The park also connects to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, making it a destination for both nature lovers and history buffs.
Canaveral National Seashore (South)
The northern end of Canaveral National Seashore begins just south of Ponce Inlet and offers the most remote and undeveloped beach experience in the region. No development, no facilities for miles — just pristine barrier island habitat. Accessible via Apollo Beach off SR A1A south of New Smyrna Beach.
Flagler Beach State Park
A small but scenic state park unit fronting the Atlantic in Flagler Beach. Excellent for beachcombing, sunrise photography, and enjoying the uncrowded stretches of coastline that are rare this close to a major metro area. Picnic tables and basic facilities are available.
Kayaking & Paddling
Halifax River Paddling
The Halifax River runs parallel to the beach through Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach, offering calm Intracoastal paddling with stunning views of the Daytona Beach skyline, waterfront homes, and abundant bird life. Put-in spots are available at Ormond Beach's river parks and several public boat ramps along US-1.
Tomoka River Kayak Trail
The Tomoka River inside Tomoka State Park is one of the most scenic paddling routes in Volusia County. The narrow, winding river cuts through dense mangroves and coastal hammock — paddle slowly and you'll spot roseate spoonbills, wood storks, otters, and alligators. Kayak rentals are available inside the park.
Bulow Creek Canoe Trail
Bulow Creek offers a quiet, shaded paddle through black-water tidal creek surrounded by old-growth oaks and palmettos. The trail runs approximately 13.5 miles from Bulow Plantation south to Tomoka State Park — one of Florida's designated Paddling Trails. Carry-in access available at multiple points.
Ponce Inlet & Mosquito Lagoon
The backwaters around Ponce Inlet connect to the bioluminescent Mosquito Lagoon — one of the world's most productive estuaries. Paddle at night during summer months for the bioluminescence experience, or explore the extensive grass flats during the day for exceptional snook and redfish sight-fishing opportunities.
Hiking & Nature Trails
Bulow Woods Trail (6+ Miles)
The signature hiking trail in the region, running through ancient live oak forest inside Bulow Creek State Park. The trail is mostly flat and accessible, passing through one of the last remaining coastal hammock corridors in northeast Florida. Look for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and gopher tortoises along the path.
Tomoka State Park Trails
Tomoka State Park maintains several short loop trails through coastal scrub and maritime hammock habitat. Trails range from under a mile to several miles and connect to the campground and picnic areas. Birdwatching here is exceptional — especially during spring and fall migration.
Ormond Beach Loop Trail (Bing's Landing Area)
The North Peninsula State Park area between Ormond Beach and Flagler Beach offers barrier island hiking along the dune line with ocean views on one side and the Intracoastal on the other. Trail conditions depend on weather and season but are generally good in fall and winter.
Princess Place Preserve — Flagler County
Just north of Flagler Beach, Princess Place Preserve protects over 1,500 acres of old Florida wilderness with trails through flatwoods, marshes, and river bluffs. The preserve includes the historic Princess Place Lodge and offers equestrian trails in addition to hiking paths along Pellicer Creek.
Beachside Walks
Ormond Beach Morning Walks
The hard-packed sand at Ormond Beach is perfect for long morning walks — flat, firm, and extending for miles north toward Flagler County. Sunrise here is spectacular, with the lighthouse visible to the south and the quiet roar of the Atlantic as company. Low tide is ideal for shelling and spotting sea birds.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Trail
Walk the beach south from Ponce Inlet toward New Smyrna with the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse as your backdrop. The inlet's tip is an excellent spot to watch pelicans dive, dolphins ride the tide rips, and — in season — sea turtles nesting on the beach at dusk.
Flagler Beach Pier Walk
Flagler Beach Pier extends over 800 feet into the Atlantic and is open to anglers and walkers alike. The pier offers elevated views up and down the coastline and is especially beautiful at golden hour. The beach north and south of the pier is uncrowded and great for a long reflective walk.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier
The Main Street Pier and Boardwalk area is Daytona's most walkable beachfront. The wide sidewalk promenade runs along Ocean Shore Boulevard with easy beach access. While more lively than Ormond or Flagler, it's a classic Florida boardwalk experience with restaurants, shops, and ocean views.
Cycling & Recreation
Beach Cycling — Ormond to Daytona
Cycling on the hard-packed sand at low tide is a uniquely Volusia County experience. Ride from Ormond Beach south through Daytona Beach Shores — a flat, scenic route with ocean views the entire way. Bike rentals are available at several shops along A1A and near the Daytona Boardwalk.
Volusia County Trail Network
Volusia County maintains a growing network of paved multi-use trails, including the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail — a 20-mile paved trail through Tomoka State Park and along the Halifax and Tomoka rivers. The loop is popular with cyclists, joggers, and in-line skaters.
Ormond Scenic Loop (Scenic A1A / Old Dixie)
The 30-mile Ormond Scenic Loop follows SR A1A along the coast and Old Dixie Highway inland through Bulow Plantation, passing Tomoka State Park and Bulow Creek. A favorite for road cyclists and motorcyclists — rolling terrain, canopied oaks, and minimal traffic on the inland leg.
Recreational Sports Parks — Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach operates several large recreational parks including Ormond Beach Sports Complex and Fortunato Park, which feature soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, and open green space. Central Park offers a dog park, picnic pavilions, and community event space used throughout the year.
Wildlife & Birding
Tomoka State Park Birding
Tomoka State Park is one of the premier birding sites in northeast Florida, with over 160 recorded species. The confluence of the Tomoka and Halifax rivers creates exceptional habitat diversity. Peak birding is November through April when migratory species join the year-round residents — herons, egrets, ospreys, and painted buntings.
Ponce Inlet Sea Turtle Nesting
From May through October, loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtles nest on the beaches from Ponce Inlet south through Canaveral National Seashore. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse hosts turtle walks in June and July — guided evening programs where visitors can observe nesting turtles up close under the supervision of turtle patrol volunteers.
Bulow Creek Wildlife Corridor
Bulow Creek State Park sits within one of Florida's wildlife corridors, connecting interior habitats to the coast. Gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, river otters, and white-tailed deer are commonly spotted. The creek itself hosts alligators, mullet, and an impressive population of freshwater turtles basking along the banks.
Daytona Beach Shores Dolphin Watching
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are a year-round fixture in the nearshore waters off Volusia County. Watch from the beach — particularly near fishing piers where dolphins follow the bait schools — or book a dolphin-watching boat tour from Ponce Inlet Marina or the Halifax River marinas.
Outdoor Activities at a Glance
Every corner of the Daytona coastal area offers something different for outdoor enthusiasts.
Ormond Beach
- ›Tomoka State Park
- ›Bulow Creek Trail
- ›Scenic Loop cycling
- ›Halifax River kayaking
- ›Beach walking
Daytona Beach
- ›Boardwalk strolls
- ›Beach cycling
- ›Dolphin watching
- ›Sunglow Pier fishing
- ›Paved trail network
Ponce Inlet
- ›Sea turtle walks
- ›Inlet kayaking
- ›Lighthouse hike
- ›Mosquito Lagoon paddle
- ›Birding
Flagler Beach
- ›Princess Place trails
- ›Pier walking
- ›Uncrowded beaches
- ›Pellicer Creek paddle
- ›Equestrian trails
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