• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Sunnyhill Marsh

Sunnyhill Observation Tower Hike

A 2 mile hike to a humble climb up a small observation tower leads to an incredible panorama of marsh at Sunnyhill Restoration Area.

Sunnyhill Restoration Area  |  Weirsdale
( 28.993687,-81.834440 )      2.0 miles

While it’s not obvious from the roads that lead to the trailheads of Sunnyhill Restoration Area, at the preserve’s core is a massive marsh.

Diked, ditched, channeled, and water-managed, it’s not been quite the same since dredges mucked out a linear route through the Ocklawaha River marshes in the early 1900s.

blooming swamp wildflowers Wildflowers in the marsh


The issue was simple: navigation. Steamboats ruled transportation in Florida in the 1800s, and getting through this mazy marsh was slowing down commerce.

By 1924, the effects of dredging and the lock and dam at Moss Bluff changed the Ocklawaha River forever.

Curve in levee This part of the Ocklawaha River has been a canal since 1924, separated from its marshes by a levee


Sunnyhill Restoration Area exists to protect and restore one of the the massive marshes that the river once meandered through in its northward path to the St. Johns River.

This particular hike route, using the White and Yellow Trails north of CR 42, leads to the sole point where visitors can marvel at the incredible span of the marsh.

Observation tower The tower isn’t tall, but its perspective on the marsh is surprisingly impressive


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Five Star Trails Gainesville Ocala book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Weirsdale
Length: 2 mile round trip
Trailhead: 28.993687,-81.834440
Address: 19561-B SE Hwy 42, Umatilla
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: St. Johns Water Management District
Phone: 352-821‑1043

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs permitted but be aware of alligators in marsh. Shade is limited in the marsh.

Live oaks shading trail


Directions

 
From the Belleview exit on Interstate 75 south of Ocala, follow CR 484 east for 8.1 miles. Turn right on US 441 at the traffic light in Belleview. Drive south for 4 miles to SR 42. Turn left at the light. Continue for 9.7 miles through Weirsdale on SR 42 to cross over the Ocklawaha River Bridge. Watch for the low sign on the left for the entrance to Sunnyhill, across from Nelson’s Fish Camp. Turn left on the first road to the parking area at the Blue House.

Hike

Beneath the ancient live oaks shading the Blue House, look for the kiosk and trail map. It marks the western terminus for the White Trail.

While the White Trail extends 2.2 miles to the South Trailhead off SE 182 Ave Rd, it’s this end of it — and the observation tower as a destination — that makes the more compelling hike.

trail kiosk West end of the White Trail at Sunnyhill Recreation Area


Why is immediately obvious: the live oak hammocks surrounding what was once a farmstead on the edge of the Ocklawaha River marsh.

White diamonds, sometimes on trees, sometimes on posts, mark the route, which starts out in deep shade under the oak canopy.

live oak hammock Live oak hammock along the trail


The trail skims to the edge of the hammock, following the rim of an open prairie with a pair of cabbage palms that serve as a visual reference.

Sandhill cranes often gather in this open area, and gopher tortoises may be seen here feeding on the grass of the former pasture.

prairie with palms Pasture turning back to prairie


The trail follows a well-defined ranch road dappled by the shade of the oaks as it rounds this prairie.

Once it passes the two cabbage palms, the trail enters a corridor flanked with oaks and hickories.

Treed corridor Corridor of trees beyond the prairie


It turns to offer another perspective on the open grassland before coming within view of a fenceline adjoined by a power line.

This grassy tree-flanked corridor meets a gap in a fence at a half mile. A double white diamond marker adjoins the gap.

White diamonds Fence with gap


Step onto a two-track road to meet the first trail junction. The White Trail continues straight ahead on its route towards South Trailhead.

Turn left instead and follow the road, which continues to the horizon across a vast open space.

Open area with road and trails Standing at the junction of White and Yellow Trails


Passing old water control valves at a culvert, there is a second junction, this one with a beaten path to the left.

Shown on the trail map in blue, it’s a connector along a canal that joins up with the Levee Trail, providing an alternate route to the trailhead on your return trip.

Herbaceous marsh The marsh is a complex ecosystem with aquatic and terrestrial plants


Continue straight ahead on the two track road. A marsh stretches as far as you can see to the left. It does so to the right as well, but the height of the trees prevent that perspective.

Watch for birds and wildlife along this road, which sits above the water on both sides, a causeway through the vast Ocklawaha River marsh.

Marsh along levee The herbaceous marsh crowds close to the central Yellow/White Trail


The textures of the marsh are varied and subtle, the herbaceous growth exceptionally thick, easily hiding its residents.

There isn’t much warning of the observation tower ahead before you come up on it at a mile. The road continues past it and on to connect to the Yellow and Red Loops out of the North Trailhead.

Road to treeline The road continues to the distant treeline


This destination, however, is worthwhile for its unique overview of the marsh. While the tower isn’t tall, the expanse around it is impressive.

Imagine, as a boat captain in 1890 complained, of being lost amid vast floating islands of vegetation in this expanse, not being able to find the river channel.

Vultures on tower Vultures occupying the tower


We found black vultures roosting on the tower because of its height, putting them above the breeze.

Enjoy the view. The river is not visible except, perhaps, through binoculars, but the pine forest atop bluffs on the eastern rim is obvious.

Pine forest on bluff beyond marsh The pine-topped bluffs are more than a mile east


The return trip is the way you came, unless you want to take the side path to the Levee Trail. It simply follows the canal until it reaches an open area adjoining the river levee.

Walk straight ahead to intercept the Levee Trail on its return route through an oak hammock to the Blue House Trailhead. Either return route gives you a 2 mile round-trip hike.

Live oaks Exit the live oak hammock to return to the trailhead


Trail Map

Sunnyhill Restoration Area Trail Map
Green: Levee Trail. Orange: White Trail. Yellow: Yellow Trail. Red: Red Trail. Blue: Connector.

Explore More!

Learn more about Sunnyhill Restoration Area

Expanse of marsh with blue skies above

Sunnyhill Restoration Area

Edging the eastern shore of the Ocklawaha River north of Lake Griffin, Sunnyhill Restoration Area protects the channelized river’s historic floodplain.


Slideshow

See our photos from the Sunnyhill Observation Tower Hike


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Trail shelter with bike at marsh

Sunnyhill Levee Trail

A linear path along the channelized Ocklawaha River, the Levee Trail at Sunnyhill Restoration Area stretches 7.5 miles from SR 42 north to Moss Bluff.

Carney Island

Carney Island Conservation Area

As a peninsula in Lake Weir, parts of Carney Island Conservation Area are naturally air-conditioned. Walk 4 miles beneath ancient oaks and expect to see wildlife.

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs

Surrounding one of Florida’s most picturesque first magnitude springs, Alexander Springs is a prime destination for a summer swim or snorkel

Lake framed by pines

Clearwater Lake Recreation Area

With a campground and lakeside day use area at the southeast corner of the Ocala National Forest, Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers an easy loop hike and access to the Florida Trail.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Hikes, Off Road Biking, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Big Trees, Birding, Observation Towers, Umatilla, Weirsdale, Wildflowers

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA OVERVIEW
East Coast Greenway. Florida Trail

Brooksville. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. Kissimmee. Lakeland. Leesburg. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Orlando. Sanford. St. Petersburg. Tampa.

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Shaded bridge over a wetland

Crystal River Eco Walk

Crystal River Eco Walk
Bright red spiky flower in bloom in front of tree trunk

Croom Loop C

Croom Loop C
Marsh panorama from tower

Lake Jackson Tower Trail

Lake Jackson Tower Trail
Pine savanna with trail

Florida Trail, Prairie Lakes

Florida Trail, Prairie Lakes

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2022, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact