Trails
The refuge provides a variety of walking paths and hiking trails. All are available year- round. All trails on the refuge are generally flat, but trail substrates are variable, and may include boardwalks, foot paths, or mowed grass. The visitor center boardwalk is currently the only wheelchair accessible trail. While the trails are flat, users should keep in mind that Florida summers are hot and humid, with the potential of daily lightning storms. Be sure to bring water and stay hydrated. The use of sunscreen is highly recommended as many of the trails lack shade. Trail users should be prepared for biting and stinging insects, which may be present in all seasons. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the listed trails.
Trailhead parking located聽off of聽the聽Blackpoint聽Wildlife Drive. A聽five mile聽loop along a mowed grass dike surrounding a managed salt marsh. Depending on pace, trail may take up to 4 hours to complete, so plan accordingly. Two observation towers (one handicap accessible) are located near the start of the trail.聽
Trail Length (mi)
4.73
View Trail
Parking available at Oak and Palm Hammock trailhead, located 1.2 miles east of refuge Visitor Center.聽A聽3/4 mile聽loop聽on foot paths and boardwalks. Allow 20-30 minutes.鈥痀ear-聽round.聽The trail is a figure 8 that winds through seasonally flooded forests. Be sure to take both loops.
Trail Length (mi)
0.52
View Trail
Parking available at Oak and Palm Hammock trailhead, located 1.2 miles east of refuge Visitor Center.聽A聽2 mile聽loop聽on foot paths and boardwalks. Allow 40-50 minutes.聽The trail makes a loop through the palm hammock and returns on the same path.
Trail Length (mi)
1.23
View Trail
Trailhead parking聽off of聽State Route 3.聽A聽1 mile聽loop聽along sandy fire breaks. Allow 30-40 minutes.聽During the fall, winter and spring look for migratory songbirds, raptors, and nesting bald eagles. Florida Scrub-jays are common all year.
Trail Length (mi)
1.04
View Trail
Trailhead parking聽off of聽State Route 3,聽A 1 mile loop. Allow 30-40 minutes.鈥疶he trail offers a leisurely stroll聽through unique Florida scrub habitat, where one may encounter the federally threatened Florida scrub-jay.聽
Trail Length (mi)
0.89
View Trail
聽A聽1/4 mile聽loop directly behind the Visitors Center. Allow 15 minutes.聽Year round.聽The boardwalk offers great views of two freshwater ponds, a native butterfly garden,聽hammock, a wetland prairie and associated wildlife. The trail is wheelchair accessible and there are three benches along the boardwalk.聽
Trail Length (mi)
0.29
View Trail
Trailhead parking on聽Blackpoint聽Wildlife Drive.聽An up to聽1/2 mile聽round trip that follows a聽gravel path to two bird observation blinds.鈥
Trail Length (mi)
0.19
View Trail