Trails

BronsonCedar Key

Trails in Bronson

Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area
(352) 486-5127
Levy County & Suwannee River Water Management District managed property
Levy County Parks and Recreation:
www.levycounty.org
Management Area allows: Driving tour, Hiking, Biking, Horseback riding, Swimming, Picnicking, Wildlife viewing, Nature photography, Hunting (seasonal)
Hunting information contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at www.myfwc.com for information on hunting seasons and rules.

Visit Website

Trails in Cedar Key

Big Bend Saltwater Paddling TrailBig Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail
(352) 493-0238

Special Considerations:

This is a remote area where cell phone coverage can be non-existent. Being properly equipped and prepared and leaving a float plan is very important. The coast here can be very shallow and low tides can present a problem for navigation and when seeking to land or launch. Keep a tide chart to help plan your trip. You may have to paddle a mile or two off the coast during extreme low tides.

Introduction

With the exception of the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades segment, this is the remotest segment of the trail, featuring long stretches of unspoiled shoreline, marsh expanses, and sea islands. The Big Bend also has the most stable population of bay scallops in the state and the most intact seagrass beds. These seagrass beds serve as vitally important nurseries for fish, shrimp, crabs and a host of other marine species, one reason the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve covers much of this segment. Spanning more than 945,000 acres, the aquatic preserve is the largest and possibly the most pristine in the state.

Near the Suwannee River, you’ll pass through lands managed by the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, http://www.fws.gov/lowersuwannee/ . The refuge covers numerous islands and more than twenty miles of the famed river of song.

Near Cedar Key, the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 13 historic and wildlife-rich islands ranging in size from 1 to 120 acres, totaling 762 acre. http://www.fws.gov/cedarkeys/ . It is unlawful to camp on either the Lower Suwannee or Cedar Keys national wildlife refuges however The Office of Greenways and Trail have designated islands where camping is permitted, see website http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/Segments/Segment%206/Segment6.htm

Two state parks are part of this segment-Econfina River and Waccasassa Bay Preserve. Econfina River encompasses more than 3,000 acres of pine flatwoods, oak/palm hammocks, and broad expanses of marsh and tree islands. The 34,000-acre Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park offers sweeping marsh vistas and tree islands between Cedar Key and Yankeetown. To learn more about these two parks, log onto www.floridastateparks.org

Visit Website
Visit Website
Map

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
16450 NW 31st Pl.
(352) 493-0238
The term “Keys” comes from the Indian word &“cayo”;, meaning “small island”;. This is a very appropriate term for this unique area! Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is a group of fragile coastal islands just off the village of Cedar Key, Florida. Established in 1929, Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge contains significant natural and cultural resources from pre-historic and historic times. Today, the Refuge consists of 13 islands ranging in size from 1 to 120 acres, totaling 762 acres. Ancient Indian cultures once used these off-shore islands as camps, later creating living areas – where food from the Gulf was plentiful and readily available. In more recent history, the famous Faber Pencil Mill was located on Atsena Otie Key where its remains can be seen today.
Visit Website

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife RefugeLower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
16450 NW 31st Pl.
(352) 493-0238
The Refuge offers recreational and educational activities for everyone. Bird and wildlife observation, wildlife photography, fishing, canoeing, hunting, and interpretive walks are all available.
Visit Website

Shell Mound Archeological Park
CR 326
Cedar Key, FL
Visit Website

The Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature TrailThe Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail
Located just off State Road 24 on Grove Street in Cedar Key, FL
Free – Open Daily from Dawn till Dusk

The trail’s path is an easy walk (1,700 ft) with benches along the way beneath towering pines, beside aromatic cedars, and among dozens of varieties of plants and wildflowers. The area is perfect for a contemplative walk, and offers a multitude of opportunities for photographers and artists. Birding enthusiasts will be thrilled by the number and variety of species that flock to this serene back marsh. Railroad historians can treat the path of the old Fernandina to Cedar Key rail line, and look across the marsh to where the line once connected with the main shipping dock.The trail ends at waters edge where you can view the remaining bridge support piling form the historic Cross Florida Railroad dating back to the 1860’s.
Visit Website

Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
(352) 543-5567
Waccasassa Bay State Preserve still offers sweeping vistas of natural landscapes uninterrupted by buildings, power lines, and bridges. The preserve is home to numerous rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal species and commercially important marine species. The plentiful and varied cultural resources of the preserve range from prehistoric burial mounds to historic sites of the industries that formerly thrived in the area.

Although there aren’t any marked foot trails, nature enthusiasts can enjoy wildlife viewing from a canoe. There are several primitive campsites on the Preserve, accessible only by private boat and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Boat access is from CR 40 in Yankeetown, CR 326 in Gulf Hammock, and Cedar Key.
Visit Website

Levy County Visitors Bureau
Tisha Whitehurst, Executive Director
Levy County Film Commissioner
Levy County Visitors Bureau
607 SW 1st Avenue
Williston, Florida 32696
Office: (352) 528-4030
Toll Free: (877) 387-5673
Email: [email protected]