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Junction C Flat Island

Flat Island Preserve

Established as a botanical preserve for native plants, Flat Island Preserve protects islands in the Okahumpa Marsh, offering hikers and paddlers immersion in a lush wilderness

Leesburg      ( 28.778683, -81.902800 )      3.7 miles

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At Flat Island Preserve south of Leesburg, Dr. Rexford Daubenmire and his wife and fellow botanist Jean explored the lush hardwood hammocks and uplands on this island surrounded by the Okahumpa Marsh.

A significant expert in plant ecology, Dr. Daubenmire was a professor of botany.

He taught at both the University of Idaho and Washington State University, and wrote two notable books: Plants and Environment (1947) and Plant Communities (1968).

Bromeliads in Southern Magnolia
The humidity created by Okahumpa Marsh means lush bromeliad and orchid growth in this forest

In their later years, the Daubenmires lived in Lake County and found this particular site fascinating for its botanical diversity. They successfully lobbied the county to create this 2,300-acre preserve.

There are now three trails at Flat Island Preserve. Of these, the Daubenmire Trail is the oldest and the most popular, offering a 3.7-mile network of loops.

It was built and is maintained by volunteers from the Florida Trail Association.

Palm hammock
Palm hammock at Flat Island Preserve

A memorial near the beginning of the Daubenmire Trail loop gives thanks for the Daubenmires’ determination to preserve this botanically rich landscape.


Resources

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State 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: Leesburg
Length: More than 5 miles of trails in a network of loops and spurs
Trailhead: 28.778683, -81.902800
Fees: Free. Deposits required for canoe use or camping.
Restroom: at the trailhead
Land manager: Lake County Water Authority
Phone: 352-324-6141

Open 8 AM to sunset unless you have a permit for camping. Dogs, bicycles, and equestrians are not permitted.

Permits are required for both camping and paddling. The canoes, paddles, and PFDs are located a mile down the Daubenmire Trail near the launch. A $50 deposit is required for both activities.

Canoes at Flat Island Preserve
The canoes are stored near the launch site on Flat Island

As long as you return the gear / clean up your camp after yourself, your deposit will be mailed back to you in a week or so.


Directions

 
Follow US 27 southbound from Leesburg. Turn right onto CR 25A. Continue north 0.5 mile, then turn left onto Owens Road, a narrow dirt road. After 0.6 mile, you’ll reach the preserve entrance and parking area, with its large trail kiosk and Florida Trail sign.

Hike

Daubenmire Trail

Start your hike at the trail kiosk next to the group campsite. Sign in, and follow the orange blazes.

The trail turns into a causeway, up above the lapping tannic waters of the surrounding hydric hammock.

The Island Hammock Trail starts at Signpost A, where a memorial pays homage to the late John Weary.

He wasa tireless trail maintainer responsible for many of the Florida Trail Association’s best efforts in Central Florida.

Island Hiking Trail Leesburg
Junction A marks the start of the Island Hiking Trail

Veer right, away from the service road, following the well-established treadway into a forest of southern magnolia and young laurel oaks.

Look up and down: greenfly orchids cling to the trees, and collybia mushrooms grow in crowded groups, like miniature forests.

Flat Island Preserve orchids
Orchids blooming overhead at Flat Island Preserve

Crossing the service road, the trail continues through an area of younger oaks along the edge of a palm hammock.

Roots break through the hard-packed dirt of the trail. Monkeyflowers crowd the sides of the footpath.

Flat Island Preserve junction B
Junction B marks the start of the loop around Flat Island

At 0.5 mile, Signpost B marks the beginning of the outer loop. Continue straight, passing under lofty live oaks.

At Signpost C, pass the junction with the cross trail and keep going straight as the oak forest yields to a hydric hammock.

Junction C Flat Island
Approaching Junction C on the Main Loop

Needle palms rise where wetlands and uplands meet. After 1.1 miles, a canoe symbol sign points down a boardwalk to the left.

Follow it through the cypress swamp to a floating landing on a canal on the edge of Flat Island.

Flat Island Preserve boardwalk
The boardwalk is one of the beauty spots at this preserve

At 1.6 miles, Signpost E marks the second cross-trail. Continue straight on into a thicket of needle palms, royal ferns, and marsh ferns.

The trail may be mushy here, as it is prone to flooding along the edges if the marsh waters are high.

Needle palms Flat Island Preserve
Needle palms along the Main Loop near Junction E

An old cockfight ring sits alongside the trail at 2.1 miles, just before the turnoff to the primitive campsite.

Sheltered by a canopy of oaks and magnolias, the campsite provides benches and a pitcher pump.

Flat Island Preserve campsite
This campsite makes an ideal destination for beginning backpackers

At Signpost F, you pass the cross-trail from Signpost E. Continue straight ahead.

You enter an area of younger trees, including live oaks, sweetgum, and southern magnolia. Their supple limbs braid into an arbor over the trail.

Flat Island Preserve north side loop
The trail narrows and is shaded by vegetation

When you reach Signpost D, you’ve hiked 2.9 miles. The cross-trail from Signpost C meets up with the main trail.

Keep going straight ahead as the trail veers close to the edge of the island.

Flat Island Preserve junction D
Reaching junction D on the Main Loop

After skirting a broad expanse of swamp dense with bald cypress and cabbage palms, you reach Signpost B and the end of the loop. Turn left to exit to the parking area.

Flat Island Preserve group camp
The group campsite is ideal for Scouting and other groups. It is located next to the trailhead.

Don’t forget to sign the trail register! It always warms the heart of a trail maintainer to know that you enjoyed their efforts to keep the trail open.


Corley Island Trail

The Corley Island Trail is a linear trail leading away from the trailhead and the Okahumpa Marsh in the exact opposite direction from the Daubenmire Trail, ending at a mobile home park off CR 25A.

Along the 1.2 mile hike (2.4 mile round-trip), the trail primarily stays in upland habitat under a canopy of oak and hickory trees. There is a loop in the upland area, as well as views of a marsh with an island in it.


Magnolia Island Trail

Only paddlers will ever set foot on the Magnolia Island Trail.

It’s a 2.3-mile trip along the canal through Okahumpa Marsh from the canoe landing on Flat Island to the landing on Magnolia Island.

Magnolia Island paddle Okahumpa
The canal connecting Flat Island and Magnolia Island

The half-mile round trip trail on Magnolia Island leads to the primitive campsite that hardy canoeists can reserve. You’ll need protection from mosquitoes and a bear canister or bear bag to camp there.


Trail Map

Flat Island Preserve trail map


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Flat Island Preserve


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Canoeing to Lake Griffin

Lake Griffin State Park

Lake Griffin State Park sits along the marshy shore of Lake Griffin, its campground and canoe launch its biggest draws

PEAR Park

PEAR Environmental Park

At PEAR Park south of Leesburg, enjoy a deeply shaded walk on a nature trail that follows the trickle that is now the Palatlakaha River flowing towards Lake Harris.


Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Reserve Canoe Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Natural Lands, Paddling, TrailsTag: Big Trees, Birding, Botanical, Clermont, Leesburg, Observation Decks, Picnic, Primitive Camping, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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