These 7 Florida trails lead to abandoned ruins. Would you go?

For those looking, Florida is a hotspot for strange and mysterious places in out-of-the-way spots.

But according to Family Destinations Guide, there are some locations where you’ll have to take a trek if you want to see them for yourself.

Below are seven trails in the Sunshine State that’ll lead you to mysterious abandoned ruins.

1. Crystal River Archeological State Park — Crystal River

This 61-acre state park acted as an important ceremonial center for many Native Americans over the course of nearly two millennia.

Visitors walking the trail at this park are likely to come across some pre-Columbian landmarks, such as burial mounds, temple mounds, and a huge midden (an ancient refuse heap).

One of these temple mounds features a 51-step climb to the top, where guests can enjoy a great view of the park.

2. Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park — Flagler Beach

Visitors to this state park will find the ruins of what was once the largest sugar plantation in east Florida, which at the time was known as “BulowVille.”

It was burned down in the 1830s by Seminole warriors during the Second Seminole War, leaving behind only the plantation’s skeleton today.

Aside from the coquina ruins, guests walking through the park can find wells, a spring house, boat slips, and the remains of the mansion.

3. Key West Garden Club, West Martello Tower — Key West

Fort Zachary Taylor was built in the 1860s in what is now known as Key West to help the U.S. Navy better guard the local harbor. And it’s flanked by two batteries: the East and West Martello Towers.

However, troops were moved out of the fort following the Spanish-American War, and the two towers became the property of Monroe County.

While city leaders later considered tearing down the abandoned west tower (locals considered it an “eyesore”), it was ultimately leased to the Key West Garden Club, which has been responsible for the greenery that now fills these ruins.

The gardens are open to the public, allowing visitors to explore paths through the remains of the West Martello Tower and examine all of the flora that’s taken over.

4. Egmont Key State Park — St. Petersburg

This trail can be found on a secluded island in the mouth of Tampa Bay, replete with several strange spots for visitors to explore.

A 19th-century lighthouse still sits on the island, and guests can find the ruins of Fort Dade, which was built in 1898 just as the Spanish-American War was kicking off.

The fort had over 300 residents, along with brick roads, electricity, telephones, a hospital, a movie theater, a bowling alley and tennis court.

It was abandoned in 1923, though the remains are still there for avid explorers to peruse.

5. Bellamy Bridge — Marianna

A half-mile trail extends from County Route 162 in Marianna to one of the oldest bridges in Florida — the historic Bellamy Bridge.

It was built in 1914 to replace a previous wooden bridge, but nowadays, it’s host to one of Florida’s very own ghost stories.

A woman named Elizabeth Bellamy reportedly died in Jackson County back in 1837, and her spirit is said to haunt the bridge and the surrounding swamp as she searches for her husband, who was buried miles away in Chattahoochee.

The heritage trail is open to the public daily during daylight hours, so visitors can explore the area to test whether those ghost stories are just rumors.

6. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens — Port Orange

This botanical garden can be found in an archaic 19th-century sugar factory that was once part of the former Dunlawton plantation.

However, it was also the site of a theme park in the 1940s called “Bongoland,” which featured a train ride, replica Native American village, and dinosaur-themed exhibits.

The park died within a few years, and the site was later donated to the county. But four of its dinosaurs are still on display at the gardens, and visitors can come check out the ruins for free.

7. Indian Key Historic State Park — Islamorada

During the early 19th century, many ships ran aground in the shallow reefs along Florida’s coastline — leading to a community of “wreckers” on Indian Key.

These wreckers watched the reef line to keep an eye out for ships in distress, as it was their job to rescue the crew and salvage the cargo on board.

However, the community was attacked in 1840 by Native Americans, who razed many of the buildings to the ground.

But nowadays, visitors can walk through paths on the island to explore the abandoned ruins of the worker community.

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