Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
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Maps & Trails

Maps

OVERVIEW MAPS
  • Lower Suwannee NWR Map
  • Cedar Keys NWR Map
  • Interactive Refuge Map

GEOSPATIAL MAPS
Import these into the Avenza app for offline use on your mobile phone. Instructions
  • Levy County side
  • Dixie County side
  • Lock-Shingle Creek Paddling Trail

General Guides

  • FWS Cedar Keys
  • FWS Lower Suwannee
  • Escape to the Refuge Video
The Refuge us open sunrise to sunset.

Ticks and winged biting insects can be abundant.

Pets are allowed on a leash.

Check our home page for the status of Refuge roads and trails.

All refuge maps were produced by Daniel L. Barrand, Refuge Forester.

Trail Guides (listed north to south)

Behind the gates you sometimes find the best hiking, cycling, and wildlife observation. You are welcome to explore the Refuge's 194 miles of former logging roads, but please do not block the gates with your car in case a refuge vehicle or equipment needs access. Most secondary roads are mowed regularly.

Bikes and E-bikes are permitted.

During hunting season, non-hunters are free to access the Refuge and can do so safely by following these basic guidelines from Andrew Gude, Refuge manager: 
  1. If you see a vehicle parked at a gate, it's best not to walk down that road
  2. When hiking off the public driving roads, wear bright colors, like safety orange or fluorescent yellow; and lastly
  3. It is not wise to carry deer antlers and clack them together making it sound like two bucks fighting. This type of noise attracts hunters. . . 
Paddle Guide Overview tearsheet
Most Refuge kiosks have posters like this with QR codes leading to detailed maps and information.

7 Great Dixie County Adventures 

hike/drive/paddle
various lengths
Favorite activities on the Dixie side.

10 Great Adventures

hike/drive/paddle
various lengths
Favorite activities on both the Dixie and Levy sides of the Refuges.

Gravel Riding (off-road biking)

bike
various lengths
Recommended rides chosen from nearly 200 miles of former logging roads available.

Dixie Mainline Guide by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

hike/drive/bike
9 miles
Activities and points of interest along the Dixie Mainline.

Dixie Mainline Hiking Trails

hike/drive/bike
8.5 miles
Hiking trails, history and habitats along the Dixie Mainline.

CR 349 Refuge Cycling Tour

bike
14.5 miles
Five primary but seldom traveled Refuge roads off CR 349 in Dixie County.

Tram Ridge Area Trails

hike/bike
Cypress Wetland Walk- 0.3 miles one-way

Palmetto Path- 0.3 mile loop

​​Tram Ridge- 2.8 mile loop


Primeval-looking swamp, bottomland hardwood forest, scrubby flatwoods, and cypress ponds, but no river view since Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

Nature Drive Guide

hike/drive/bike
9 miles one-way
This beautiful primary refuge road is the gateway to many refuge adventures.

Gate 3 and 15 in Levy

hike/bike
1.2 miles RT
Easy walk through nice pine flatwood habitat. Cross the road and continue on the Gate 14 trail (see below).​

Gate 11 in Levy

hike/bike
1.3 miles RT
Although the trail goes near the Refuge Headquarters, access to the headquarters is not allowed from this trail.

Gate 12 in Levy

hike/bike
1.6 miles RT
There is a spur to the left .12 miles from Gate 12 with a round trip of 1.4 miles.  This spur goes through similar habitats with University of Florida insect study facilities near its end.

Gate 14 in Levy

hike/bike
1.2 miles RT
Easy walk through longleaf pine habitat merging into riverine floodplain and then ending at expansive view of Suwannee River. Take camp chairs and enjoy the view on the small beach.

Gate 21 in Levy

hike/bike
.8 miles RT
Easy, but often soggy, walk through riverine floodplain ending at edge of scenic Sandfly Creek. ​

Turkey Foot Loop Trail- Gates 23, 24, 28

hike/bike
2.17 mile loop
One of the best trails for seeing birds and butterflies, especially during spring.

Barnett Creek Loop Trail- Gates 31, 34

hike/bike
2.8 mile loop
This secondary road loop traverses some of our best land and water scenery.

Dennis Creek Trail

hike/bike
1 mile
Nearly all the Gulf of Mexico coastal ecological features are visible from land on this trail.

Shell Mound Trail

hike
.5 miles
Fascinating archaeological trail with interpretive panels.

Paddling and Fishing Guides
(listed north to south)

Refuge waters include approximately a dozen ponds ranging in size from less than 1 acre to several acres. Bank fishing is allowed, and boat ramps are available to access the Suwannee River and its tributaries or the Gulf of Mexico and its tidal creeks.
Some of the wonders of the Refuges are best explored by paddling. The paddling trails below are listed north to south. Click the links below for more information and downloads for each paddle.

Downloadable 11" x 17" panels are free for your personal use. They are copyrighted by Friends and may not be sold or used for any commercial purpose without permission of Friends.
Paddle Guide Overview tearsheet

Fishbone Creek

3 mi.
1.5 hr.
Salt water
Open/Protected
Intermediate
Map

Shired Creek

4.8 mi.
2.5 hrs.
Salt water
Protected
Beginner
Map

Shired Island Fishing Guide


Sanders Creek

6.4 mi
3.5 hrs.
Salt water
Open/Protected
Advanced (length & navigation)
Map

Cat Island

5.9 mi.
3 hrs.
Salt water
Open/Protected
Intermediate (no wind protection)
Map

Demory/Lock/Shingle Creeks

6.9 mi.
3.5 hrs.
Fresh water
Protected
Advanced (length & navigation)
Map

Demory/Lock Creeks

3.8 mi.
2 hrs.
Fresh water
Protected
Beginner
Map

Gopher River

7.4 mi.
4 hrs.
Fresh water
Protected
Intermediate (length & navigation)
Map

Sandfly Creek

8 mi.
3-4 hrs.
Fresh water
Protected
Intermediate (length)
Map

Suwannee River Fishing Guide


Barnett to McCormick Creek

3.5 mi.
2 hrs.
Fresh/salt water
Protected
Beginner skills but advanced navigation
Map

Barnett to McCormick Fishing Guide


Shell Mound to Hog Island

3.1 mi.
2 hrs.
Salt water
Open/Protected
Intermediate (no wind protection)
Map

Shell Mound Fishing Guide


Shell Mound to Long Cabbage Island

4.3 mi.
2.5 hrs.
Salt water
Open/Protected
Intermediate (no wind protection)
Map

Cedar Key to Atsena Otie

2.8-3.3 mi.
1-1.5 hr.
Salt water
Open
Intermediate (no wind protection)
Map

Atsena Otie Fishing Guide


Cedar Key Airport Fishing Guide

Picture
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532
Cedar Key, FL 32625
[email protected]
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

  • Explore
    • Maps >
      • Paddling Guides
      • Refuge Maps
      • Trail Brochures
      • Places of Interest
    • Hunting >
      • Overview
      • FWS Hunting Brochure
      • Alternative Mobility Permits
      • Hunter SignUp
    • Fishing >
      • Kayak-fishing Trails
    • Junior Ranger
    • Wildlife
  • Heritage
    • Shell Mound >
      • Overview
      • Archaeological Trail
      • Dennis Creek Trail
      • Hog Island Paddle
      • Long Cabbage Paddle
    • Vista >
      • What is Vista
      • Friends' role
      • The Future
      • Cooks General Restoration
      • Window Restoration
      • Lumbering
    • Seahorse Key >
      • Overview
      • Seahorse Key History
  • Join
    • Donate
  • News
  • About
    • About Friends >
      • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • Advocacy
      • Current News
      • Contact Us
    • About the Refuges >
      • Our Refuges
      • Places of Interest
      • Hunting Brochure
  • Search