Ready to get your heart pumping?
Since 1983, May has been known as Physical Fitness and Sports Month, highlighting the importance of staying active. Exercise can improve health and even reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
There are so many ways to stay active, including hiking, running, cycling and water sports. We’ve compiled a list of can’t-miss locations in the Southeast for each of these activities. Check out what looks interesting near you!
Hiking
Sometimes, you just need a breath of fresh air — and where better to get one than out among nature?
There’s a reason hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in the United States. Here are a few spots hiking fans in the Southeast won’t want to miss.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park — Micanopy, Florida
Tucked away in north central Florida, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. Look to the skies to spot more than 300 species of birds and scan the land for wild bison, horses, alligators, bobcats, deer, turkeys, and more.
Eight trails wind through the 23,000-acre park, ranging from loops under a mile to longer treks. The longest is the 8.25-mile Cone’s Dike Trail, which cuts straight through the prairie and treats you to a panoramic view of the savannah grasses and the animals that call it home.
Click here to learn more about Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest — Gainesville, Georgia
As Georgia’s only national forest, the Chattahoochee-Oconee is flush with hiking opportunities. In fact, it has about 850 miles of recreation trails!
Some fan favorites include hiking to Preacher’s Rock, a summit with a fantastic view, and visiting Anna Ruby Falls, twin cascades of water that fall 150 feet. You can even reach the top of Georgia’s tallest mountain at 4,784 feet — Brasstown Bald!
Click here to learn more about the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
Chewacla State Park — Auburn, Alabama
Winding around a central lake, Chewacla State Park nearly has it all, from swimming to camping to mountain biking. But it’s also a place where hikers can find 27 trails to enjoy!
Many of the trails hug Lake Chewacla and feature remnants from the Civilian Conservation Corp crews who built the park in the 1930s. The trails are also organized by beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, meaning you can pick your intensity before heading out.
Click here to learn more about Chewacla State Park.
Running and jogging
There’s nothing better than running it out — especially in a month like May, which is pleasantly warm at the end of spring. Here are a few trails that are worth lacing your sneakers.
Shark Valley Tram Trail — Miami, Florida
The Everglades has plenty of trails, but the paved Shark Valley Tram Trail is perfect for those who would rather not waterlog their shoes.
A part of the Everglades National Park, the 14.9-mile loop runs alongside the Shark River Slough, meaning you can spot wildlife like birds, turtles, and alligators as you run. The trail is also the only way to get to the 45-foot Shark Valley Observation Tower, where you can admire the Everglades from above.
Click here to learn more about the Shark Valley Tram Trail.
Little Mulberry Park — Dacula, Georgia
Atlanta is known as the “city of trees,” so it’s no wonder the metro is dotted with parks!
If you want something off the beaten path, try out Little Mulberry Park. About 30 miles northeast of the city proper, it stretches over 890 acres and has 14 miles of trails. A favorite among locals is the East Mulberry Trail loop, which is 4.3 miles long with several elevation changes.
Click here to learn more about Little Mulberry Park.
Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail — Greenville, South Carolina
Most trails stick to urban or rural environments, but South Carolina’s Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail has both!The trail — which has three paved segments measuring 17.7, 5.7, and 0.6 miles — starts in the bustling city of Greenville and ends in the quaint town of Travelers Rest. It follows the Reedy River and passes through downtown Greenville, later hitting several parks with their own offerings.
Click here to learn more about the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Cycling and biking
There’s a reason cycling has been a popular pastime since the 19th century! These days, millions of Americans hop on a bike each year — and if you’re one of them, here are a few sites to consider.
Thermal Belt Rail Trail – Rutherford County, North Carolina
True to its name, North Carolina’s Thermal Belt Rail Trail is a 13.5 mile-long trail converted from previous rail tracks, connecting communities the way the train used to.
The trail is paved, making it easy on your bike’s tires, and 12 feet wide, so you have plenty of room to navigate around other pedestrians. It’s also separated into two sections, the Northern and Southern, which feature peaceful rural scenery and urban attractions, respectively.
Click here to learn more about the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Oak Mountain State Park – Pelham, Alabama
Looking for a challenge? Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama has about 30 miles of mountain bike trails!
These trails take you through all kinds of terrain, from roots and rock gardens to sand pits and elevation climbs. Most are for intermediate bikers, while a few are suitable for advanced riders and an easy route circles around Double Oak Lake.
Click here to learn more about Oak Mountain State Park.
Blankets Creek – Canton, Georgia
While hikers also traverse the trails near Canton’s Blankets Creek, they’re designed with bikers in mind — and people at any skill level can find something to enjoy.
The 15-mile system features seven trails, ranging from 0.25 miles to 4.2 miles. Each has a unique name and is categorized as beginner, intermediate, or advanced, depending on its features. Adventurous and experienced bikers will especially enjoy The Holler, a downhill jump run!
Click here to learn more about Blankets Creek.
Water sports
Who can say no to a dip in the water? The Southeast is blessed with shorelines, but we also have plenty of rivers, lakes and fresh springs to explore!
Ichetucknee Springs State Park – Fort White, Florida
With water so clear you can see straight to the bottom, Ichetucknee Springs State Park looks like something out of a fairytale.
The north Florida location is best known for its summertime tubing, but visitors can also go swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking in the river. You can even dive or snorkel Blue Hole, a massive spring that turns into a cave system about 40 feet down.
Click here to learn more about Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
Lake Jocassee – Oconee County, South Carolina
Off-the-map solitude paired with rugged beauty — that’s Lake Jocassee.
Folded in South Carolina’s Devils Fork State Park, the 7,500-acre lake has the kind of clear water that draws swimmers and divers. Several waterfalls also feed into the lake, but they’re only accessible by boat or kayak, so you’ll have to venture out and find them!
Click here to learn more about the state park and Lake Jocassee.
The Crystal Coast – North Carolina
If you’re scuba certified, there are few better places to dive in the Southeast than North Carolina’s Crystal Coast.
Often called a “wreck diver’s dream,” more than 2,000 vessels have wrecked in the area, some hundreds of years old. The most popular dives include the Queen Anne’s Revenge, which Blackbeard himself ran aground in 1718, and a U-352 German submarine dating back to World War II. Many of the locations have even become coral reefs, boasting beautiful flora and unique wildlife.
Click here to learn more about scuba diving on the Crystal Coast.