Surrounded by farmland south of the Ocala National Forest, Sawgrass Island Preserve protects over 1,100 acres, including a large marsh that drains into Lake Yale.
The property has been managed by the Lake County Water Authority since 1994, and steps have been taken to return swaths of past agricultural land to a more natural state.
Hiking through a hardwood hammockTwo large trailheads are located on the western side of the preserve, and a smaller access point is to the east at the end of Julia Blvd.
A series of interconnected trails link together, showcasing a variety of communities as they wrap around wetlands at the center.
Tucked into a shady oak hammock, a pair of primitive backpacking sites are along the route.
Primitive campsiteResources
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Overview
Location: Umatilla
Length: 7.7 miles
Trailhead: 28.952972, -81.756417
Address: Sawgrass Island Rd, Umatilla
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Lake County Water Authority
Phone: 352-343-3777
Open 8 AM to sunset. No pets allowed.
Primitive backpacking sites are available, call in advance for permit.
Directions
From the intersection of CR 452 and SR 19 in Umatilla, head west on CR 452 for 8.5 miles, before turning right onto S Em En El Grove Rd. in 1.2 miles, turn left onto Thomas Boat Landing Rd. Continue for 0.8 miles, then make a right onto Sawgrass Island Rd. In 0.2 miles turn left to stay on the dirt road and continue for another half mile to the north trailhead parking area.
Hike
Starting at the trailhead kiosk, be sure to sign in and grab a map before heading through the gate and turning right to follow red blazes along a sandy road.
Live oaks draped with Spanish moss lean over the trail as it follows a straight path southward.
Trailhead kioskThe pathway traces alongside dense forests near the bottom of a slope that transitions to former pastureland.
Features of sandhill habitat include clusters of wiregrass, garberia, and an occasional turkey oak.
Near the mile mark, sand pines begin to dot the landscape as it takes on more elements of a scrub community.
Sandhill restoration areaThe trail curves back to the north at 1.7 miles, following the property line behind neighboring houses in some sections.
Reaching the south trailhead, stay outside of the gate and look for a faint path leading to the left of a small pond to remain on the main loop.
Returning to the north trailhead at 3.5 miles, follow orange blazes eastward on the Sawgrass Causeway Trail, crossing a pair of bridges with views of the marsh beyond thick foliage.
Bridge near the sawgrass marshAt the next junction, turn left as green blazes lead the way along the Bent Pine Trail.
Nearing five miles, the path passes a well-placed bench overlooking a picturesque pond before entering a former pine tree farm.
Bench overlooking prairie pondStay to the left at the next couple of intersections, following white blazes past the east trailhead and reaching the purple blazed Hammock Trail at 5.5 miles.
This appropriately-named turns to wind through a jungle of saw palmetto under a canopy of huge oak and magnolia trees.
Hammock TrailAs the trail hooks back north, it passes two well maintained campsites, one to the right, and another to the left in a few hundred feet.
At 6.4 miles, turn left onto the blue-blazed Bog Button Trail, where the little white namesake flowers sprout along the path’s edges.
Returning to the Sawgrass Causeway Trail, turn left, following the road for 0.7 mile back to the trailhead.
Lush understory growthTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Sawgrass Island Preserve
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