Protecting natural habitats along Little Lake Harris since 1992, this Howey-in-the-Hills park honors a local teacher who advocated for the preservation of these wetlands.
With an entrance gate across from the elementary school where she taught, it provides easy access for classes and residents to enjoy nature walks.
New main entranceThe town completed necessary renovations to the preserve’s key feature, its floodplain boardwalk, in 2025.
We discovered the original trailhead and entrance gated and locked, so visitors must now park roadside across from the elementary school.
New boardwalkAs the boardwalk is no longer a loop, the trail’s revised layout requires two round trips. With its lakefront observation tower at the end, the boardwalk is a must.
Branching off at a picnic spot, a natural-surface path also skirts the edge of the floodplain to the picnic grove at the former trailhead.
Little Lake Harris observation towerResources
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Overview
Location: Howey-in-the-Hills
Length: 1.4 miles
Trailhead: 28.703717, -81.767737
Address: 909 S Lakeshore Blvd, Howey-in-the-Hills
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land Manager: Town of Howey-in-the-Hills
Phone: 352-324-2290 Ext. 119
Hours are not explicitly posted, but the park is generally open sunrise to sunset. If the gate isn’t open, the park is closed. The entry path and boardwalk are accessible.
Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet. Be courteous of others on the boardwalk if you walk a dog. Several rain shelters provide broad spots for passing.
Directions
From the junction of US 441 and SR 19 in Tavares, drive south on SR 19 for 6.7 miles, crossing Lake Harris to a T intersection in Howey-in-the-Hills with SR 48. Turn left and continue 1.1 miles south to E Lakeview Ave. Turn left. The road ends at Lakeshore Blvd. Turn right. The park entrance is on the left in a half mile. Make a u-turn to park on the shoulder near its entrance.
Hike
Entering through the green gate across from the elementary school, walk a paved path under a canopy of live oaks and citrus trees growing wild in the woods.
This region was once well-known for its citrus groves. The paved path descends towards a clearing with picnic tables under a large live oak.
Trail junction clearingThis is the decision point for the two branches of the trail. Straight ahead, begin the boardwalk into the floodplain forest.
Surrounded by ferns, it is canopied by towering trees. The thick-trunked ones are largely oaks; the skinnier trunks, dahoon holly.
Approaching the first rain shelterA bumpout in the boardwalk holds a covered shelter with built-in benches, a nice spot for birding.
Red maples add autumn color to the forest as the boardwalk makes several jogs.
Crossing the waterwayCross over a narrow tannic waterway flowing beneath the boardwalk. Trees crowd closer together and closer to the railings.
A thicket of ferns continues to obscure the forest floor. It gets progressively damper.
Firmly inside the floodplainMake a sharp left at the next rain shelter. Turning the corner, the observation tower is visible ahead.
Parted by waters reflecting the sky, ferns become scarcer. Approach the open waters of a cove off Little Lake Harris.
Cypress-lined coveThat splash off a log under the tree canopy might be an alligator, a turtle, or an otter, like the one we saw close to the boardwalk.
Reach the open waters of Little Lake Harris at a quarter mile and climb the tower to savor its perspective.
Little Lake HarrisReturning along the boardwalk, peer past the rain shelter at the first curve to see the remains of the former boardwalk beyond it, rotting in the swamp.
If it were replaced, a loop would be possible. Instead, this hike is now two round-trips
Remains of the former boardwalkReaching boardwalk’s end by the picnic table at a half mile, make a left to walk past it.
Begin following a broad nature trail shaded by oaks and hickories along the uplands above the floodplain.
Start of the nature trailThe leaf-strewn path slips close to the edge of the ecotone, a riot of ferns beneath dahoon holly and loblolly bay.
Follow a sharp left curve as the path now parallels Buckhill Rd but quickly loses sight of it.
Fern-lined pathCinnamon and sword fern swarm across the forest floor on both sides of this deeply shaded corridor.
Emerge into open sun with a break in the forest canopy at 0.7 miles, pines now towering above the sand live oaks.
Pines above the oaksEntering a shady space again, the pathway nudges against the floodplain. A cluster of cabbage palms stands by the boarded-off entrance to the old boardwalk.
Curve past a tall, bare tree trunk to emerge into an open grassy area with a Nature Trail sign.
Entering the former trailheadPicnic tables sit within the shade of a large oak. At 0.9 miles, this fenced area is the original trailhead for the preserve.
It was gated and locked on our visit, with no signs indicating hours it may open, if ever.
Picnic spotRetrace your walk through the shady corridor back to the picnic table junction at the boardwalk. Reach it at 1.3 miles.
Turn left to exit uphill past the citrus trees, emerging from the park gate to complete a 1.4 mile hike.
Climbing to the park gateTrail Map
Explore More!
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Nearby Adventures
Hickory Point Park Threaded through a floodplain forest along Lake Harris, the boardwalk at Hickory Point Park zigzags among an impressive array of towering trees, ancient cypresses among them. 
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