Pasture Reserve

Comprised of a diverse mix of ecosystems on land historically used for agriculture, the aptly named Pasture Reserve provides refuge for a multitude of wildlife.

A network of trails spread across varied landscapes with lettered trail junctions to aid in navigation. Recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

A grassy path along a former pasture

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Groveland
Length: 3 miles
Trailhead: 28.481247, -81.877623
Address: 4703 Lake Erie Rd, Groveland
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At trailhead
Land manager: Lake County
Phone: 352-253-4950

Open sunrise to sunset. No pets allowed.

Directions

From the intersection of SR 33 and SR 50 in Groveland, head south on SR 33 S for 6.4 miles then turn right onto Lake Erie Rd. In 3.2 miles, the trailhead is on the right side of the road.

Hike

Starting at the parking area, head north through a gap in the fence, passing a kiosk with detailed information about the property.

Oaks, blackberry brambles, and passionflowers dot an otherwise grassy pasture as the trail stretches a quarter mile to the edge of a cypress swamp.

Trailhead

Frogs chirp rhythmically alongside an elevated pathway cutting through a patch of wetlands covered in red maple and cypress.

Emerging at the edge of a clearing on the other side, stay to the left at the next trail intersection to begin a clockwise loop.

Grassy path cutting through cypress strand

Cypress swamp

A dense mix of shrubs, grasses and wildflowers border a wide green path alongside max myrtles and shining sumac as the trail winds to the north before turning sharply to the east.

Honeybees buzz from flower to flower as butterflies glide over lush greenery, searching for nectar and host plants.

Gulf fritillaries

Reaching one mile, the trail enters a more natural environment, making a wide curve through pine flatwoods that slowly transition from mesic to scrubby habitat.

Sand live oaks covered in colorful lichens form a canopy of over a sandy corridor lined with saw palmettos and deer moss.

Scrubby flatwoods

The distinctive calls of red-bellied woodpeckers emanate from thick stands of pine as the wide trail slices toward another clearing.

Gopher tortoises take advantage of the mowed pathway, moseying along the edge while chomping on plentiful grass cut to the perfect height.

Tortoise grazing the edge of a grassy trail

Gopher tortoise

Turning left at the next intersection near a post marked with the letter K, the trail leads to another crossing marked with the letter E, adjacent to a covered kiosk.

In 0.1 mile, a post marked with the letter G provides an option to add miles to the hike on an additional side trail. Turn right to continue along the main loop.

Information kiosk

Weaving south alongside historic pastureland that has been allowed to grow shrubby over time, the landscape becomes soggier as the trail slowly drops in elevation.

At the two-mile mark, pawpaws border the trail as it skirts between two marshy areas before passing under a small hammock of live oaks strewn with Spanish moss.

White blossoms above leaf litter under a pine tree

Pawpaws in bloom

Continuing west, the trail routes through lettered intersections D and J while crossing through marshlands and an oval-shaped lake lined with cypress trees.

Completing the loop at an intersection labeled with the letter I, turn left, returning to the trailhead in a quarter mile.