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Lower Suwannee NWR Trails
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Fifty miles of roads are open to public vehicle traffic and an additional 40 miles of secondary roads provide access for foot and bicycle traffic. Horses and unlicensed vehicles (ATV’s, dirt bikes, etc) are prohibited.
Levy County:
Driving
- Lower Suwannee Nature Drive: this 9 mile road paasses through managed upland pine forests and bottomland hardwood swamps. Several spurs from this main road provide access to saltwater creeks and refuge ponds. There are also gated roads which are open to foot and bicycle traffic. Open for hunting access in accordance with state and Refuge regulations. Songbirds, wading birds, alligators, otters, turkey, deer and other wildlife can often be seen along this route.
Trails
- River Trail and Bottomlands Boardwalk: 0.3 mile trail and boardwalk that leads through bottomland hardwoods to an observation tower overlooking the Suwannee River. The Bottomlands Boardwalk winds through the swamp adjacednt to the Suwannee River and loops back to the parking area. Located near the entrance to the Refuge Headquarters.
- Dennis Creek Trail: 0.8 miles. Located at Shell Mound. Trail and boardwalks pass through marsh and upland areas. Benches are provided along the way. Nice views of marshes, tidal creeks, and uplands.
- Shell Mound Trail: 0.3 miles. Traverses an ancient Indian shell midden.Impressive overlook of the Gulf of Mexico. Interpretive information along the trail.
Dixie County
- Dixie Mainline Road: 9.0 miles. This historic pathway was previously a logging tram. Habitats encountered include managed pine forests, bottomland hardwood swamps, marshes and tidal creeks. An interpretive Dixie Mainline Trail Guide is available.
Marsh View
- Fishbone Creek: accessed from the Dixie Mainline Road. Elevated observation deck, small boat launch, creek access, and bank fishing opportunities.
- Salt Creek: accessed from the Dixie Mainline Road. Universally accessible boardwalk provides great views of the salt marsh.
Paddling
Many canoeing and kayaking opportunities exist on the Refuge. Several Refuge roads lead to or pass by tidal creeks and have at least a small place to pull off the road and launch your canoe or kayak.
A Canoe Trail exists near the town of Suwannee. The trail winds it way along brackish backwater creeks of the Suwannee River. A Canoe Trail Guide is available.
Paddlers' Corner
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