A breath of fresh air in a region where farms and ranches keep turning into subdivisions, Felts Audubon Preserve is a very special oasis.
Its ponds, forests, and meadows provide much-needed shelter for wildlife squeezed out of natural habitats in this rapidly-developing region.
Loop the perimeter on their trail network, or linger at the woodland blind or along the ponds to add to your bird counts.
Bluff above Olive’s PondResources
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Overview
Location: Palmetto
Length: 1.2 mile loop with shorter options
Trailhead: 27.554805, -82.540155
Address: 4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto
Fees: Free
Restroom: Portable toilet along trail system
Land manager: Manatee Audubon
Phone: 941-729-2222
Open sunrise to sunset. No pets or bicycles permitted on trails.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 224, follow US 301 south a half mile to 51st Ave E. Turn right and continue 0.2 mile to Memphis Rd (17th St). Turn left and drive a mile east to SR 683. Turn right to drive north 1.2 miles to Mendoza Rd (37th St). Turn left and continue 0.7 mile to Oakhurst Rd (24th Ave). Turn right. Pulloffs for the walk-in entrance to the preserve start a half mile north along 24th Ave.
Hike
Enter the preserve at the pedestrian gate and cross the grassy expanse to the kiosk under the trees, which has trail maps.
Turn left to start the loop, the broad path along mounds of grapevine under the pines.
Kiosk at the start of the loopNear a bee hotel, meet a junction to the bird blind. Skip this approach to stay on the outer loop, passing open areas close to the road being reforested.
Walk through a tunnel of hickories and oaks. Wind towards a sign for Olive’s Pond on a bluff above it.
Approach to Olive’s PondThe trail narrows past a cluster of cypresses marked with a numbered post keyed to the interpretive guide. Beaten paths lead to pond overlooks.
Stay with the Blue Trail at the next junction. A shaded bench looks through a screen of trees to the pond near an interpretive sign about pond life.
North end of Olive’s PondFrom a corridor flanked by palm fronds, emerge on a bluff at the marshy end of the pond at a quarter mile. Palms dominate the understory beneath the hickories and oaks.
Take the next turnoff on the right to continue along the pond, reaching an open overlook along a sloped bank. This side loop rejoins the main trail beneath a large live oak. Turn right.
Tropical understory in mesic hammockBeyond a fallen log dubbed “Panco’s Pitstop,” the Blue Trail faces a subdivision. Squeezed between a fence and a ditch covered in water spangles, the path has some rough footing.
Finish walking behind the houses at a half mile. Turn right to exit into a clearing on former pastureland.
Blue TrailOne corner has an old cattle pen; a shed and the restroom are at a trail junction. Turn right to walk beneath stately old oaks and towering slash pines.
This well-defined passage through upland habitats passes Marker 5 before reaching the bird blind.
Bird blindInside, large viewing windows look out over an array of bird feeders. Charts and guides in the corner assist with identifying birds and plants in the preserve.
Resume the hike by using the ramp to exit the bird blind and take the boardwalk to the right, Roger’s Walkway.
Roger’s WalkwayRoger’s Walkway leads to the inital junction on your loop, 0.7 mile into your hike. Turn left and continue past the bee hotel and the trailhead kiosk.
Cross the access road behind the gate past the chimney swift tower to a marker for the Yellow Trail.
Yellow Trail markerA worn path between lines of pines, it briefly enters the shade of overhanging oaks before a trail junction.
Turn left for a good birding spot, a sun-drenched wetland pond lined with Virginia willow and densely covered in aquatic plants.
WetlandReturn from this viewing point to the Yellow Trail. Cross a footbridge in a shady spot. Bear left at the Y junction to take in a different perspective across the marsh.
Rejoining the Yellow Trail, enter a broad open area, a former pasture dotted with cabbage palms.
Bench in shadeBear left to stay close to the marsh, with another broad overlook across it at a mile. Pass a bench near an interpretive sign on insects.
Follow the grassy path towards another interpretive sign reflecting the sun at the distant treeline.
Along the east side of the marshReaching treeline in a tenth of a mike, the shed is to your right and the path straight ahead leads to the bird blind. Turn left.
Passing the chimney swift tower a final time, exit the preserve to complete this 1.2 mile hike.
Exit path to main gateTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Felts Audubon Preserve
Slideshow
See our photos from Felts Audubon Preserve
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