Walking and biking in Fort Lauderdale: the Riverwalk, the beach promenade, the 1.9-mile drive at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and park trails, with parking.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Trail details come from Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Florida State Parks and the City of Fort Lauderdale’s park pages, linked below. City parks: 954-828-7275. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: 954-564-4521.

Fort Lauderdale’s best walks follow the water: the Riverwalk on the New River downtown, the promenade along the beach on A1A, and the trails and park drive at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park between the ocean and the Intracoastal. City parks add shorter loops and a bike trail.

At a glance

  • Longest ride: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park’s one-way park drive, 1.9 miles.
  • Downtown walk: the Riverwalk along the New River.
  • Ocean views: the beach promenade along A1A.
  • Shade and nature: the Coastal Hammock Trail and Snyder Park’s nature trail.

Trails and walks

Trail Where Distance or time Use Parking
Riverwalk New River, downtown About a mile (“Florida’s most beautiful mile”) Walking Downtown garages and meters
Beach promenade A1A, Fort Lauderdale Beach Along the beach Walking, running Beach meters and garages
Park drive, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd. 1.9 miles, one way Biking, in-line skating In the park, $6 per vehicle
Coastal Hammock Trail Hugh Taylor Birch State Park About a 20-minute walk Walking In the park
Nature trail and bike trail Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave. See park page Walking, biking Free except at special events
Walking and jogging trail Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive See park page Walking, running In the park
Walking and jogging trail Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave. See park page Walking, running In the park

The Riverwalk

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale describes the Riverwalk as a linear promenade along the New River downtown, “Florida’s most beautiful mile,” with winding walkways linking attractions, restaurants and shops. Along the way are Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St., and, across from it, the Museum of Discovery and Science. Riverwalk’s parking and transportation page covers downtown garages. Free concerts and festivals on the Riverwalk are on our free things to do page.

The beach promenade

The city’s Fort Lauderdale Beach page describes a waterfront walkway along A1A. Ocean Rescue posts daily beach conditions.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

The state park at 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., between the beach and the Intracoastal, is open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, for $6 per vehicle. From Florida State Parks:

  • Park drive: 1.9 miles, one way, popular with cyclists and in-line skaters, who must follow the one-way direction. The park’s trails are not officially bike trails, though some allow bikes; ask at the park.
  • Coastal Hammock Trail: about a 20-minute walk through a native maritime tropical hardwood hammock, with interpretive signs.
  • Mid Trail: passes many of the plants brought in by Hugh Taylor Birch.
  • Ranger-guided walks: every Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Beach: reached by the crosswalk on A1A.

Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists, and Florida law requires them for riders 16 and under. The park notes that some pavilions and restrooms are closed for construction, and that its floating dock is closed. Call 954-564-4521.

City park trails

From the city’s park pages, via our parks and trails guide:

  • Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave., 954-828-4585: a nature trail, a bike trail and a butterfly garden. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. November to February and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March to October. Parking is free except at special events.
  • Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, 954-828-5383: a walking and jogging trail. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave., 954-828-5320: a walking and jogging trail. Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Safety

  • Walk early or late in summer; carry water.
  • Check the forecast in hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30.
  • Report broken lights, sidewalks or trail hazards through the city’s FixIt FTL or the Neighbor Support Center at 954-828-8000.

Related: dog-friendly Fort Lauderdale, getting around and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I bike in Fort Lauderdale?

The one-way park drive at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., is 1.9 miles and popular with cyclists and in-line skaters. Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave., has a bike trail.

How long is the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk?

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale calls its promenade along the New River downtown ‘Florida’s most beautiful mile.’ It runs past Esplanade Park, across from the Museum of Discovery and Science.

What are the hours at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park?

The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. Entry is $6 per vehicle; call 954-564-4521.

Where are walking trails in Fort Lauderdale parks?

Holiday Park and Riverland Park have walking and jogging trails, Snyder Park has a nature trail, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park has the Coastal Hammock Trail, about a 20-minute walk.