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Road Trip: Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail worth more than a quick ride

Roads generally take you places, but this one takes you someplace extraordinary: Into the past.

I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail in a motorcycle sidecar during Daytona Bike Week a few years ago. While it’s not a great road for bicyclists (it’s a narrow two-lane road without bike lanes) it is just the place for motorcycles and convertibles. 

The Ormond Scenic Loop Trail links Bulow Creek State Park to three other state parks while leading you on a gorgeous route under a canopy of trees. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail links Bulow Creek State Park to three other state parks while leading you on a gorgeous route under a canopy of trees. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail is Road Trip: Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail worth more than a quick rideand dune views. There are historic sites, hiking trails, parks, beaches and unspoiled scenery the whole way. 

It doesn’t take long to make the drive, but you can easily spend all day at it if you stop along the way — and you should. With its minimal commercial development and its many historic sites, it’s a day in Old Florida.

ormond scenic loop Ormond Scenic Loop map Road Trip: Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail worth more than a quick ride
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail map courtesy America’s Byways.

Stops along the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail 

The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail has two distinct personalities — a sunny beach side and a shaded forest side. 

There are excellent waterfront views along the Atlantic between Ormond Beach and Flagler Beach, where A1A hugs the sand and offers unobstructed views.

Try whale-watching from the beaches here from December through March, when the endangered Atlantic Right Whale comes here to give birth. Any other time of year, it’s “just” one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in Florida. And nearly all the beach parking in this area is free.

Along Florida A1A, you pass this a historic World War II submarine watchtower built in 1942., one of the last of its kind. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
Along the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, you pass this a historic World War II submarine watchtower built in 1942, one of the last of its kind. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

While you’re enjoying the beach views, watch for the historic World War II submarine watchtower at 2269 Ocean Shore Blvd., which was built in 1942. Florida’s beaches had many of these, but this is the rare one that remains. A few details here.

The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail follows A1A along the ocean past Gamble Rogers State Park, 3100 S. State Road A1A, Flagler Beach, an oceanfront jewel that stretches from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal with lots of recreational opportunities. There is a short hiking trail plus kayaks, canoes and bicycles are available to rent at the ranger station on the river side of the park. (If you’re a camper, it’s a good place for your RV.) Admission is $5 per vehicle.

Along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, the Casements, home to John D. Rockefeller, is a lovely stop. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
Along the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, the Casements, home to John D. Rockefeller, is a lovely stop. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

As the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail passes through Ormond Beach, stop and admire the historic winter home of John D. Rockefeller known as The Casements on the Halifax River. It is open daily for tours.

The Casements, named for the mansion’s large hand-cut casement windows, has been restored to function as the Cultural Center for the City of Ormond Beach. It has a beautiful setting on the riverfront two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean with gardens, benches and fountains. It’s listed on National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Florida Heritage Site.

As you meander the shady forest side of the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, there are two remarkable pre-Civil-War historic sites worth visiting:

The historic Dummet Plantation Ruins, 2456-3178 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach, was founded as a plantation in 1777. It was planted with indigo, rice, corn and sugar cane. It was sold to a British Marine officer Thomas Dummett in 1825. Dummett is credited with installing the first steam-powered sugar mill in the state, the ruins of which are on the site today. Admission is free. 

The ruins of the Dummett Plantation along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trall. (Photo: David Blasco)
The ruins of the Dummett Plantation along the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trall. (Photo: David Blasco)

If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to go a few blocks north of the Ormond Scenic Loop to explore a second set of evocative ruins at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. 

These picturesque ruins of a huge sugar mill look like a ruined castle. Excellent signage helps you learn the story of Florida in the 1820s to 1830s. Admission is $4; The park is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bulow Creek State Park, 3351 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach, is worth exploring to see the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest on Florida’s east coast, as well as the magnificent Fairchild Oak, one of the largest and oldest live oak trees in the south. Admission is free and there are miles of trails through virgin forest. 

At Bulow Creek State Park, the magnificent Fairchild Oak has resided over hurricanes, floods, plantations, wars and everything else that has happened in the last 400 to 600 years. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
Along the Ormond Scenic Loop, at Bulow Creek State Park, the magnificent Fairchild Oak has resided over hurricanes, floods, plantations, wars and everything else that has happened in the last 400 to 600 years. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Directions for driving the Ormond Scenic Loop &Trail

These directions come from America’s Byways, a project of the Federal Highway Administration.

  • Travel south on SR A1A to Granada Blvd. (SR 40).
  • Turn right onto Granada Blvd.
  • Follow SR 40 to North Beach St.
  • Turn right on North Beach St.
  • Turn left onto Pine Tree Dr. and drive west to Ormond Lakes Blvd.
  • Return to the junction of Pine Tree Dr. and North Beach St.
  • Continue on North Beach St., which turns into Old Dixie Highway.
  • Follow Old Dixie Highway until Walter Boardman Lane.
  • Turn right onto Walter Boardman Lane.
  • Turn east onto Highbridge Road and go back to SR A1A.
  • The byway corridor also includes John Anderson Dr. from SR 40, close to where SR A1A and SR 40 intersect, north to Highbridge Road.
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail lsign.
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail sign.

More resources for your trip on the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail.

More things to do near the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail


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Barbara

Sunday 26th of September 2021

I have driven the trail many time but now I can't wait to do it again after this article. Thanks a million! “Save the Loop" Stop destroying the beauty of our nation that God gave us to enjoy and learn from.

Mr. & Mrs Rodgers

Tuesday 1st of June 2021

Hello, New to the Ormond Beach area from Ohio. I would love to be able to take the loop trip once this covid stuff has cleared and everything is safe to travel in and out of areas and buildings . I think it would be a real shame to destroy any of this. Many people do not appreciate the historic value of things till they are older, but by then, you just can not bring it back .

Cathy

Thursday 11th of June 2020

Please help us save the loop. Ormond Beach City Council is trying to rezone land along the majectic loop where many beautiful trees and silent stretches of the road exist. Please help, send your letters, sign the petition. Please read the letter below and show your support to save the beauty of the loop! To: Joe Jaynes , Richard Gardner , Karen Jaynes

Hello,

I am writing in opposition to the proposed rezoning to allow development of the Old Dixie Highway scenic trail ("The Loop") in Ormond Beach, in regard to tonight's meeting.

Ormond Beach, FL residents and supporters already mounted a massive "Save the Loop" campaign a decade ago.

We need to preserve what is left of The Real Florida. There is a legal and environmental basis to refuse to permit these lands to be rezoned to allow for housing development. Due to their sensitive nature these lands are of marginal value to developers anyway with significant clearing, fill dirt, and flooding mitigation required.

If the rezoning is permitted, this decision will be looked back on with scorn and regret.

Best regards, Richard Thripp for Congress Progressive Democrat for Florida's 6th District

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