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Flowway observation tower Clay Island Lake Apopka

Clay Island Trail

Expect plenty of birds in the marshes where farms are being restored to wetlands along a segment of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail with its own series of cross trails

Lake Apopka North Shore  |  Astatula
( 28.674532, -81.705992 )      7.2 miles

One of the better stops for birding on the western side of Lake Apopka, the Clay Island Trail near Astatula is a popular equestrian access to Lake Apopka North Shore.

It has a very large parking area suitable for horse trailers, but no other facilities other than a picnic bench under the oaks.

As is obvious on the way to this remote trailhead in a very rural part of Lake County, the surrounding area was (and is) farmland along the edges of the lake.

To treat the runoff of pesticides and fertilizer that accumulated over decades along this side of the lake, St. Johns Water Management District is still in the process of building wetlands ponds.

Some of the flow ways look like baffles, winding back and forth to move water more slowly.

While Clay Island was cut into an island by man-made drainage canals, it is at the very tip of a natural peninsula into Lake Apopka to the south of Astatula.


Resources

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Astatula
Length: Up to a 7.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.674532, -81.705992
Address: 22526 Carolyn Ln, Astatula FL
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: St. Johns River Water Management District
Phone: 386-329-4404

Open sunrise to sunset. Cyclists, hikers, and equestrians share all trails at Clay Island.

While many of the trails are limerock roads, cyclists should plan for off-road conditions including loose gravel, puddles, and grassy surfaces.

The trail system is on levees and established roads atop levees through marshes and farms. There is no shade except under the observation towers. Sun protection is important.

Clay Island Trail

Leashed dogs welcome. However, we saw large alligators within a five minute walk from the trailhead. Keep at least 20 feet away from all alligators.


Directions

 
From Apopka, follow US 441 north to Zellwood. Turn west on Jones Avenue. Pass the exit gate for Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive at Jones Avenue STA and continue 2.6 miles to the T intersection with CR 48.
 
Turn left, following CR 48 for 3.7 miles towards Astatula, crossing the Apopka-Beauclair Canal before you get to Ranch Rd. Turn left. Stay with Ranch Rd as it jogs through a rural subdivision.
 
Where you see the sign for “Scenic Drive” straight ahead on a dirt road, make a right on the paved road, Robbins Rd. Follow it 1.2 miles south to Peebles Dr. Turn left on Peebles, then right on Carolyn Ln. That road ends at the trailhead.

Clay Island Trails

Once you enter the trailhead, continue across the grassy space under the oaks to park near the gap in the fence within sight of the trailhead kiosk.

Stop at the kiosk for a map. Walk this connector trail out to the Clay Island Loop. The loop is white blazed. This intersection with Ranch Rd is the decision point for a variety of loops.

Songbird on signpost The trailhead connector meets Ranch Rd at this sign


At a trail junction within sight of the T intersection, you may see cyclists and equestrians passing by. That corner on Ranch Rd with the signpost is the primary junction for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail.


Clay Island Observation Tower

1.6 miles. An out-and-back trek to the flow-way observation tower along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail provided excellent birding.

Turn right from the T junction and walk south on Ranch Rd to the Lake Apopka Loop Trail junction. Make a left to walk straight out to the lake.

On first glance, it looks boring. Straight as an arrow. But the beauty is in the marshes on both sides. Colorful wildflowers and bustling birds peep out of the shallows.

It’s only 0.8 mile out to the tower, which affords a view of Lake Apopka across farms on Clay Island being restored to wetlands.

Clay Island Flow-way Tower Approaching the Flow-Way Tower


Watch the canals below for tell-tale movement of alligators and otters in the deeper waters. Return the same way, or expand the walk by taking the trail past the tower up along the flow-way.

That zigzagging route may be deep in tall grass – a good hiding place for snakes – depending on when it was last mowed.

Returning to the trailhead via the northern part of the Clay Island Loop nets a 3.1-mile hike.

glossy ibis Glossy ibis in a wetland along this hike


Clay Island Loop (SHORT)

5.7 miles. This is the most popular route for cyclists who enter the loop from either direction on the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. It also leads you out to the shoreline of Lake Apopka.

Follow the directions above to the flow-way tower. After stopping for the view, continue past the tower another 0.7 mile through the fields to the Pump Station Kiosk.

Turn right and head south, paralleling the lakeshore. At 2.4 miles, you reach the Lakeside Tower, an outstanding observation point overlooking the water.

Red-shouldered hawks Red-shouldered hawks at Clay Island


The trail draws farther away from the lake as it continues along fields and wetlands. Around 4.4 miles is a third observation tower, this one with a good view towards Green Mountain.

Coming to Jimmy’s Crossing after 4.7 miles, you rejoin the Lake Apopka Loop Trail where it comes in from Green Mountain Trailhead. Continue straight north up the levee.

Expect a lot of bird activity along the canal here. By 5.7 miles, you’ve sealed the loop. Straight ahead is the turnoff for the Clay Island Trailhead.

Clay Island trail junction Sealing the loop on this hike


Clay Island Loop (FULL)

7.2 miles. This is the route the equestrians prefer. The northern half of the Clay Island Loop provides the best birding and the nicest views across completed wetlands.

It is on levees paralleling canals. Some of the levees are grassy, especially along the flow-way.

From the parking area, reach the T and turn left. Walk a short distance north on Ranch Rd and make a right before treeline to follow the white blazed loop northeast along a broad canal.

The trail turns due east through the marshes after 0.6 mile and continues down a straightaway. After the tower is in view in the distance, the trail turns towards it.

However, to get there, it makes a baffling zigzag along the flow-way that more than doubles the visual distance to the tower. You reach it after 2.3 miles.

View across wetlands The expanse of wetlands to the northeast, as seen from the Flow-Way Tower


From the top of the tower, you can survey the work done to restore farms to wetlands, and see Lake Apopka in the distance.

Leaving the tower, join the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and turn left to walk out towards the lake. Continue along the directions for the short loop from this point.

Clay Island Trailhead kiosk Trailhead kiosk at Clay Island


Trail Map

Lake Apopka Loop Trail Lake Apopka Loop Trail Map (SJWMD). Clay Island is lower left.



Explore More!

Lake Apopka North Shore

Learn more about this vast restoration area along the north shore of Lake Apopka of which this trail and its trailhead are a part.
 
Cyclists along Lake Apopka Loop Trail levee

Lake Apopka Loop Trail

Discover the wild heart of Central Florida on a ride along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, an arc spanning two counties along the lake’s north shore

Lake Apopka North Shore

Lake Apopka North Shore

Across two counties and along the entire north rim of Florida’s fourth-largest lake, this 20,000 acre conservation area is a sweep of wildlife-rich marshes

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Shady trail at Trimble Park

Trimble Park

A 1.3-mile nature trail at Trimble Park near Mount Dora offers a family-friendly outdoor adventure beneath ancient oaks and cypresses along the shorelines of two lakes

Green Mountain Tower overlook above Lake Apopka floodplain

Green Mountain Scenic Overlook

At the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead, the highest elevations in Central Florida provide a sweeping panorama of Lake Apopka and Florida’s longest set of trail switchbacks


Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Off Road Biking, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Astatula, Birding, Lake Apopka, Lake Apopka North Shore, Mount Dora, Observation Towers, Wildlife Viewing

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