Savage Christmas Creek Preserve

Protecting more than a thousand acres near Christmas, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve surrounds the Christmas Creek floodplain.

Among the ecosystems found here are open prairies, pine flatwoods, and scrubby flatwoods, with islands of bayhead swamp and scrub forest.

Pond pine and loblolly bay trees

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: Christmas
Length: A trail network of 7.9 miles on the north end. More on the south end.
Trailhead: 28.557349, -81.030192
Address: 11046 NW Christmas Rd, Christmas
Fees: Free
Restroom: Only at the southern trailhead
Land manager: Orange County
Phone: 407-836-1400

Open sunrise to sunset. Dogs and bicycles not permitted.

A picnic table is provided at the trailhead, which also has ample room for horse trailers. Equestrians welcome.

Directions

From the intersection of SR 50 and SR 520 in Bithlo, drive east 3.6 miles along SR 50 to SW Christmas Road (which is before Fort Christmas Road) on the left. Turn left and follow Christmas Road for 1.8 miles to the trailhead on the left.

Hike

We first hiked the preserve soon after it opened, and found the long loop trails to be more optimized for local equestrians than for hikers.

Since then, hiking opportunities have expanded. A future segment of the Florida Trail runs up the east side of the preserve, providing more possible loops.

The orange-blazed trail connects oak hammocks

Three trails within the preserve – the Blue, Green, and the new orange-blazed future FT, which uses a portion of both – were built as footpaths.

The other trails are old forest roads that can be a bit rough underfoot, especially when they’re been chopped up as firebreaks.

Scrub habitat on a ridge in the preserve

Expanding on our original information on how to hike at Savage Christmas Creek Preserve, we’ve divided the preserve into East and West Loops.

These loop hikes connect together the color-coded trails. You can also follow the perimeter of the two loops for a 4.6 mile hike.

Oak canopy over the Yellow Trail

Cross trails enable you to try many different routes hiking this preserve, especially enjoyable when fall wildflowers are at their peak.

The trails on the west side of the preserve tend to get seasonally wet, and you’ll find standing water in some spots on the east side as well.

Trail junction marker at 3-way intersection

Savage Christmas Creek East Loop Along the eastern side of Savage Christmas Creek Preserve, follow orange and yellow blazes through panoramas of prairie and pines

Red Trail at Savage Christmas Creek Preserve

Savage Christmas Creek West Loop Follow a series of equestrian trails to explore the soggier side of Savage Christmas Creek Preserve, where Christmas Creek rises from its marshes.

In addition to the routes we’ve hiked above, the preserve now extends to SR 50 with additional trails linking to the parking area at East Orange District Park, which has restrooms.

There are two new loops adjoining that park that extend the miles you can hike. Once we have the opportunity to hike them, we will add them to the map below as well.

Wildflowers are fabulous here in summer and fall

Trail Map

Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Savage Christmas Creek Preserve

Nearby Adventures

Palms in uplands along the Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek 3.9 miles. Enjoy natural beauty and botanical diversity along a scenic segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest.

Orlando Wetlands For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds, Orlando Wetlands is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop follows our favorite route.

Tosohatchee WMA Protecting more than 30,000 acres of the St. Johns River floodplain near Christmas, Tosohatchee WMA is a place to immerse yourself in the grandeur of old Florida and its bounty of botanical beauty.

Florida myrtle blooming next to a trail with a puddle

Pine Lily Preserve In every season, wildflowers are the highlight along more than 4 miles of trails at Pine Lily Preserve, where its namesake lilies bloom in late summer.

Official Website