Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges

We are the Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, a nonprofit organization.

The mission of the Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is to provide active advocacy and physical support for the successful stewardship of the Refuges.

Refuge News

As the government continues cutting programs, we are concerned for our small Refuge staff.
A contract has been awarded to fix the Shell Mound Pier. The work will start in mid-June.
Refuge has secured $6 million dollars in hurricane disaster monies - projects are being prioritized.
$1.9 million has been secured to repair Dixie Mainline and Nature roads.

Status of the Refuge Roads and Trails

On the Levy County side:

The Nature Drive - OPEN
Shell Mound - OPEN. Fishing pier is CLOSED due to damage and is scheduled for repair in June 2025.
Dennis Creek Trail- OPEN
The River Trail boardwalks- permanently CLOSED.
- An Update on Replacing the River Trail is here.
- A Story about its Destruction is here.
Tram Ridge Trail is OPEN. See the trail guide here.
Gate 10 Road - OPEN
Gate 43 off Gate 10 Rd- OPEN for Hunting Season.
Atsena Otie Trail is OPEN but there is no boardwalk.

Picture of a downed tree blocking the Tram Ridge Trail

Downed trees sometimes block roads and trails after storms.

On the Dixie County side:

Dixie Mainline- OPEN
The 7 side roads off CR 349- OPEN for Hunting Season
Fishbone Creek- OPEN
Shired Island boat ramp- OPEN
The Salt Creek Trail- OPEN
The Tall Pine Trail- OPEN

Seahorse Key Open House Schedule

2024-2025

Canceled due to extensive damage to the facilities at Seahorse Key during Hurricane Helene.
The Lighthouse is OK.

What are Open Houses like?

Connect with Us

Join Us

Our Blog Articles

Current News Brief

Sign-Up for News Brief

Events Calendar

Online Store

About Hunting

Permit quotas are in effect this year.

Overview

FWS Hunting Regulations

Sign-up for Hunters Group Newsletter

Submit safety & law enforcement data

Visit Both of our Refuges

The Lower Suwannee Refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk for appropriate recreational uses including boating, hiking, fishing, biking, and birding. FWS Lower Suwannee Information Brochure.

The Cedar Keys Refuge is made up of 13 small islands offshore from the City of Cedar Key. Atsena Otie Island and the sandy beaches of the other islands are open to visitors. They must be accessed by personal boat. All interior and/or vegetated areas of the islands, other than Atsena Otie, are closed to visitors in order to protect the resident and transient birds nesting on them. Also, the waters and beaches around Snake Key (~100m) are closed to all entry March through June, since Snake Key is a major nesting area. Entry to closed areas on any of the islands is by permit only. FWS Cedar Keys Information Brochure.