Nestled alongside Cecil Airport, Branan Field Wildlife and Environmental Area presents restored pine flatwoods and sandhill habitats along a well-marked loop trail.
Historically used for agriculture, the land was acquired by the state in the early 90s to protect gopher tortoises.
The trail system consists of a linear forest road flanked by two loops, providing a few different options to explore a variety of landscapes.
At the southern end of the loop, visitors are welcome to venture deeper into the preserve, crossing a ditch to follow firebreaks into a wet flatwoods environment.
Path through the sandhillsResources
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Overview
Location: Jacksonville
Length: 2.0 miles
Trailhead: 30.202528, -81.863222
Address: Branan Field Rd, Jacksonville
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
Phone: 386-758-0525
Open sunrise to sunset, leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 295 west of downtown Jacksonville, exit onto Collins Rd and head west 2.4 miles before turning left onto Shindler Dr. In a half mile, make a right onto Argyle Forest Rd. Continue straight for three miles, then turn right onto Cecil Connector Rd. In 0.6 mile, turn left onto Branan Field Rd, continuing for one mile, and the trailhead will be on the left side of the road.
Hike
At the trailhead, a large three-panel display provides information about the property, including a color-coded map.
It shows the matrix of natural communities. Pass through a stile in the nearby wooden fence to begin the hike.
Trailhead kioskWhite blazes indicate the route as it follows a wide, sandy pathway across grassy pine savannas sprinkled with shrubby dwarf chestnuts and saw palmettos.
In a quarter mile, turn left at the east loop, where yellow markers lead the way along a narrow pathway.
Grassy sandhillsTurkey oaks increase in number, gathering in clusters that bring attention to their distinctive foliage, especially in autumn.
The leaves present a gradient of fall colors before dropping to the forest floor. At 0.6 mile, turn right where the trail reaches a firebreak.
Turkey oaksThis section may be tough to navigate depending on how recently the soil has been upturned.
Over time, the soft sugar sand gets packed down by weather and foot traffic.
Reaching a junction with the white trail in a tenth of a mile, continue straight to follow blue blazes westward.
FirebreakApproaching the southwest corner of the loop, open pine forest gives way to mesic and wet flatwoods interspersed with small shady oak hammocks.
From here, the trail shifts straight north for 0.4 mile before turning right to trace an edge of dry sandhill habitat once again.
Mesic flatwoodsA dome swamp rises in the distance as the path winds eastward, filling the space between pine columns with dense greenery topped with tall cypress trees near the middle.
Returning to the white loop at 1.8 mile, turn left for a 0.2 mile walk northward to finish at the trailhead
Pine savanna and dome swampTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Branan Field WEA
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