Hike Red Loop, Lower Wekiva River Preserve

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park is a large conservation area protecting nearly 18,000 acres within the Wekiva River basin.

The Red Loop is located on the eastern side of the namesake river, among a network of hiking trails alongside Katie’s Landing.

Prescribed burns are used to keep habitats healthy

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

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Overview

Location: Sanford
Length: 4.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.82843, -81.41155
Address: 262 Wekiva Park Dr, Sanford
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restroom: At Katie’s Landing trailhead
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 407-553-4383

Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed pets welcome. Trails are sparsely marked.

Accessible restrooms and parking but this trail is not accessible.

Directions

From Interstate 4 exit 101, Sanford, follow SR 46 west for 2.3 miles to the first of five traffic circles, taking the first exit to stay on SR 46. Continue straight through four more traffic circles before turning right onto Wekiva Park Rd in another 2.4 miles. Continue 1.2 miles to the entrance to Katie’s Landing on the left. The hike starts on the opposite side of Wekiva Park Dr.

Hike

Starting at the parking area, stop at the information kiosk and take a picture of the trail map if no paper maps are available.

Head eastward, crossing a paved road to begin the hike at a large trailhead sign.

Trailhead sign

Turn left, following a wide sandy pathway alongside Wekiva Park Drive. Sand pines and oaks line the trail in a scrubby flatwoods environment with very limited shade.

The trail turns to the right in 0.4 mile, heading eastward into a mesic flatwoods habitat.

Deep soft sand on two track in flatwoods

Scrubby flatwoods

Sporadic longleaf pines rise from a lush sea of fetterbush lyonia and saw palmettos.

The scent of vanillaleaf fills the air, with narrow shoots producing bright purple flowers in late summer.

Macro of black and red wasp on purple blooms

Thread-waisted wasp on vanillaleaf flowers

In another 0.2 mile, continue straight though an intersection of access roads as the trail meanders to the north.

Clusters of goldenrod extend above the ground cover alongside slender stalks of blazing stars, adding splashes of vibrant yellow and purple to an otherwise green landscape.

Yellow floral spikes in scrubby flatwoods

Goldenrod in bloom

Trailside seasonal prairie ponds offer refuge for frogs and vegetation adapted to wetter environments.

These depressions provide a stark contrast to the surrounding flatwoods, appearing grassier and covered in small white flowers.

Prairie pond

At 1.7 miles, the trail makes a sharp turn to the right before leading along an edge of the open pine savanna.

The path begins to take on more shade as the number of pines increase, accompanied by cabbage palms.

Two track through grassy area under pines

Mixed pine and palm forest

Turkey oaks begin to dot the landscape as the trail climbs in elevation and transitions to a sandhill habitat.

Sandhill milkweed sprouts along the path, sporting large colorful leaves and clusters of small pink flowers.

Sandhill milkweed

The trail turns to the west at 3.8 miles, winding through scattered tree cover over a forest floor covered with wiregrass, bracken, and gopher apple.

Approaching the end of the loop, the Red Loop joins the Blue Trail for a short distance as habitat slowly changes to scrubby flatwoods once more.

Turkey oaks and pines

Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Lower Wekiva Preserve State Park

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

Paddle, hike, or ride your horse within this massive riverine preserve on the edge of the Orlando metro, where the Wekiva River and St. Johns River mingle.