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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Marshy lake with channel

Lake Jackson Tower Trail

A short but scenic hike, the ramble to the Lake Jackson Tower at Prairie Lakes pays off with panoramic views from atop a three-story tower.

Three Lakes WMA   |  Kenansville
( 27.89150, -81.17370 )      1.0 miles

One of the best destinations for birders visiting the Prairie Lakes Unit of Three Lakes WMA is the three-story tower overlooking Lake Jackson.

The hike to it is primarily along a berm that offers outstanding perspectives on both marshes and prairies.

Vast grassy prairie Prairie along the edge of the Lake Jackson basin


An easy walk, it is nonetheless as far back in the preserve as you can go by road. A loop option through a palm hammock extends the 0.8-mile round trip to a mile.

A side trail interconnects with the Florida Trail, enabling the tower trailhead to be also used for access for a hike across all of Prairie Lakes.

Lake with marsh The marshy expanse of Lake Jackson from its tower


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book 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: Kenansville
Length: 1 mile round-trip with small loop
Trailhead: 27.89150, -81.17370
Address: 1702 Prairie Lakes Rd, Kenansville
Fees: $3 per person
Restroom: Vault toilets at Lake Jackson and Group Camp
Land manager: Florida Fish & Wildlife
Phone: 352-732-1225

Open sunrise to sunset unless camping. Leashed dogs permitted. Campsites must be reserved by calling ahead.

This is a popular destination for deer and turkey hunters. Check on hunt dates before planning your hike and wear bright orange during hunts.

Marsh view from atop tower


Directions

 
From US 441 and SR 60 in Yeehaw Junction, follow US 441 north 14.1 miles to Kenansville. Turn left on Canoe Creek Rd at the Kenansville Country Store. Continue 9.5 miles north, passing Lake Marian Paradise and Sunset Ranch, to reach the entrance to Prairie Lakes. Inside the gate, pass the Prairie Lakes trailhead and continue another 5.1 miles along the unpaved road to where it ends. It makes a sharp right at a large canal just before it approaches the trailhead.

Hike

A kiosk at the trailhead and a sign pointing towards the tower orient you as to the direction to take, a continuation of the former ranch road you drove in on.

A broad, deep canal sits directly to the north of the berm that this trail follows to the tower.

Bike resting against a fence by sign and canal Trailhead for Lake Jackson Tower


Following the two-track road, you’re slightly elevated above its surroundings, providing a nice angle for spotting birds in the prairie grasses and along the canal.

At the Palm Hammock Trail sign, take a right to follow the yellow blazes into a lush palm and oak hammock.

Sign hiding under an oak A well-hidden trail sign in the shade of an oak


The blazes puzzle through the open but tree-dense understory before emerging on the blue-blazed connector between the Lake Jackson Trail and the Florida Trail.

By taking a right, you can join the Florida Trail in a half mile to take a long hike (8+ miles) either northbound to the Prairie Lakes trailhead or southbound through Three Lakes South.

Pine savanna with trail

Florida Trail, Prairie Lakes

Mown path thrown scrubby palmetto

Florida Trail, Three Lakes South

To stay on your hike to the tower, turn left. The blue blazes quickly meet the berm that you walked off of to join the Palm Hammock Trail. Turn right.

The berm trail curves northward, affording nice views across the adjoining wet prairie.

Hiker on berm above prairie The expanse of prairie adjoining the trail


The berm narrows significantly as it approaches the tower and is well shaded on both sides. We arrived near sunset, which was blinding. An early morning visit is best.

Once you reach the tower, you’ll find a platform at ground level that affords good views of the marshes for birding. A picnic bench also adjoins the tower.

Three story tower and boardwalk The Lake Jackson Tower


If you want to see a broad sweep of Lake Jackson, however, you’ll need to ascend. There are platforms at each level.

At the very top, the roofed tower provides a panorama of the shallow marshy lake to its far shore.

Interpretive sign on tower view Looking across the marshy Lake Jackson basin


On the return trip, skip past the signs for the Palm Hammock Trail.

Return back along the berm along the prairie and canal to complete this 1 mile round-trip hike.

Palm Hammock Loop sign Pass by the trail junction after leaving the tower


Trail Map

Lake Jackson Tower Trail Map
Blue: Lake Jackson Trails. Orange: Florida Trail. The blue “tail” is the connector.

Explore More!

Learn more about Three Lakes WMA

Prairie landscape in Florida

Three Lakes WMA

Protecting nearly 64,000 acres south of the Orlando metro along the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area is a delight for birders and hikers.


Slideshow

See our photos from the Lake Jackson Tower Trail


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

White blazed post in pine savanna

Prairie Lakes Loop

Enjoy the counterpoint of moss-draped oak hammocks and expansive prairies at Prairie Lakes along one of the older and more beloved pieces of the Florida Trail.

Large oak in shady forest

Sunset Ranch Trail

The 2.2-mile Sunset Ranch Trail at the Prairie Lakes Unit of Three Lakes WMA provides an easy day hike for birding near Lake Marian.

Boardwalk through cattails

Cherokee Point Conservation Area

Protecting a marshy peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, this remote preserve provides a panorama of natural wetlands from its boardwalk.

Twin Oaks Conservation Area

Named for two ancient live oaks that have long guided anglers to their favorite fishing hole, Twin Oaks Conservation Area protects nearly 400 acres along Lake Tohopekaliga.

Trail Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Day Hikes, Hikes, TrailsTag: Best Birding, Birding, Dog-friendly, Family-Friendly, Kenansville, Observation Towers, Picnic, Scenic Hikes, St. Cloud, Three Lakes WMA

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