See & Do
The Westside of Jacksonville is home to one of the best equestrian centers on the East coast, Jacksonville Equestrian Center. The premier facility for regional and national events showcases the best in horse competitions. When horse shows are not in town, the Equestrian Center hosts a wide range of entertainment events like concerts, mud-runs, and athletic competitions.
Just south of Jacksonville and west of the St. Johns River, Orange Park offers camping, hiking, and water activities for all. In need of a boat, rent one for the day or for the night with Boat Florida Rentals. The Orange Park area is home to Doctor's Lake and Black Creek providing boaters the perfect place to wakeboard, fish, or just relax on the water.
Once part of Naval Air Station's Cecil Field, the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail, is part of a nation-wide, federally initiated “Rails to Trails” program. It includes more than 30 miles of unpaved roads that traverse through the pine flatwoods. The shaded and beautiful Cecil Recreational Trails are available to hikers, horseback riders, and off-road cyclists.The Trail is a 100-foot wide Right-of-Way (ROW) currently extending approximately 14.5 miles from Imeson Road in Jacksonville to the Town of Baldwin. A 12’ wide paved trail currently exists for hikers, bikers, and roller-bladers to enjoy. An equestrian trail also parallels the paved trail.
Skydiving anyone? Herlong Airport is also found on the westside of the city. Who wouldn't want to see Jacksonville from 10,000 feet? Home to Jacksonville’s aviation enthusiasts since the 1960s, Herlong Recreational Airport (HEG) is Northeast Florida’s primary location for light sport aircraft, skydiving, gliders, and other experimental aircraft.