Most of the land in Crescent Lake Conservation Area consists of wetland habitats, with a focus on flow and filtration of surface water across the floodplain.
This property protects over 3,500 acres and serves a vital role in the area’s natural hydrology along with adjacent Haw Creek State Park and nearby Haw Creek Preserve.
A multi-use loop trail traverses uplands on the western side, where a primitive tent camping area offers a covered pavilion, electricity, and non-potable water.
Primitive campsiteResources
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Overview
Location: Seville
Length: 3.5 miles
Trailhead: 29.351750, -81.469306
Address: 654 Raulerson Rd, Seville
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Portalet at the primitive campsite.
Land manager: St. Johns River Water Management Area
Phone: 386-329-4404
Open 24 hours. Leashed dogs welcome. Camping is drive-up and free, and requires an online reservation in advance.
Directions
From the intersection of US 17 and SR 40 in Barberville west of Ormond Beach, head north on US 17 for 12.7 miles before turning right onto Raulerson Rd. In 1.9 miles, the entrance to the trailhead parking area will be at a 90 degree turn in the road.
Hike
Passing through a fence gap at the parking area, begin the hike along a crushed shell access road leading into a grassy forest dotted with pines.
In a short distance, the wide pathway passes an information kiosk with a large property map on the front and a more detailed trail map on the back.
Trailhead kioskReaching a bend in the road in a quarter mile, follow white, diamond shaped markers as the trail leads northward under the shade of live oaks draped with Spanish moss.
At 0.4 miles, turn right to begin the loop portion of the trail in a counterclockwise direction.
Before reaching the primitive camping area, the trail narrows and veers off to the right, dipping away from the dirt road.
Mixed hammockLoblolly bay and saw palmetto crowd the edges of the path as it weaves across slightly contoured terrain and emerges along the edge of an open pine flatwoods.
During certain times of the year, the sun-drenched forest floor is dotted with an array of colorful wildflowers.
Wildflowers in the pine flatwoodsCircling around the pine forest, continue towards the floodplain where dense stands of mixed hardwoods shade an occasionally soggy corridor.
At 2.3 miles, turn left and then take an immediate right at a tricky junction where the landscape quickly transitions back to flatwoods.
Alongside the floodplainA set of relatively straight, grass carpeted pathways lead southward as the trail meanders around dense wet flatwoods dotted with bay and sweetgum.
Close the loop at 3.1 miles. From this point, continue straight, following white blazes back to the trailhead in 0.4 miles.
Mowed path through the pinesTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Crescent Lake Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
Dunns Creek State Park Notable for its habitat diversity, Dunns Creek State Park protects a vast landscape along the south shore of its namesake, a major tributary of the St. Johns River.
Welaka State Forest Protecting over four miles of forested waterfront on the St. Johns, Welaka State Forest offers a glimpse of what botanists John and William Bartram saw in the 1700s.
Haw Creek Preserve Secluded and special, Haw Creek Preserve at Russell Landing nestles up along the shores of Haw Creek facing Haw Creek Preserve State Park.
Haw Creek Preserve State Park A low-key state preserve protecting lush swamp forest habitats, Haw Creek Preserve State Park can only be explored by water.
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