Providing an easy walk into 8,000 acres of uplands draining into Lake Marion Creek, the trail system on Huckleberry Island at Lake Marion Creek WMA follows old roads through the preserve, avoiding getting your feet wet by offering a little extra elevation through the cypress domes. At the turn-around point for the hike, a primitive campsite is available for overnight use.
Resources
Overview
Location: Poinciana
Length: 4.2 miles
Lat-Long: 28.140724,-81.523111
Type: round-trip
Fees / Permits: free; permit required for overnight camping
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Bug factor: moderate
Restroom: none
Much of the trail is in the open, so bring lots of water and wear sun protection. There are picnic tables near the trailhead and at the campsite. The trail is shared with bicyclists.
Please check hunting regulations before visiting, as hiking access is limited during certain hunting seasons. Be sure to wear blaze orange if hiking during hunting season.
Lake Marion Creek WMA website (South Florida Water Management District)
Lake Marion Creek WMA website (FWC)
Directions
From the intersection of CR 531 (Pleasant Hill Rd) and CR 580, drive 6 miles west of Poinciana on Cypress Parkway towards Haines City to the trailhead entrance on the right. Parking is limited.
Hike
Following blazed forest roads, this trail passes through pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and a cypress swamp before rising up into open prairies and palmetto scrub to end in a loop around an oak-shaded campsite at 2.1 miles. Return along the same route.