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Large oak in shady forest

Sunset Ranch Trail

The 2.2-mile Sunset Ranch Trail at the Prairie Lakes Unit of Three Lakes WMA provides an easy day hike for birding near Lake Marian.

Three Lakes WMA  |  Kenansville
( 27.903900, -81.098200 )      2.2 miles

Within the 64,000 acre expanse of Three Lakes WMA, the Sunset Ranch Trail at the Prairie Lakes Unit north of Kenansville provides an easy interpretive day hike to sample the habitats found in the preserve.

The trail leads to an observation deck on Lake Marian. The 2.2 mile loop (a loop in the middle of a linear trail) offers excellent birding opportunities, especially for sandhill cranes. There is a bird blind along a prairie.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide 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: Kenansville
Length: 2.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.903900, -81.098200
Fees: $3 per person
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Fish & Wildlife
Phone: 352-732-1225

Open sunrise to sunset unless camping. Leashed dogs permitted.


Directions

 
From the intersection of US 441 and CR 520 (Canoe Creek Rd) in Kenansville, follow CR 520 north 7.5 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left.

Hike

The broad hiking-only path traverses scrubby flatwoods, sandhills, pine flatwoods, and open prairie, crossing a boardwalk through a cypress dome en route to an observation deck along Lake Marian.

Open waters of large lake Lake Marian


Trail Map

Three Lakes WMA Trail Map
Sunset Ranch is along Lake Marian where the parking symbol is shown

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Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

White blazed post in pine savanna

Prairie Lakes Loop

Enjoy the counterpoint of moss-draped oak hammocks and expansive prairies at Prairie Lakes along one of the older and more beloved pieces of the Florida Trail.

Boardwalk through cattails

Cherokee Point Conservation Area

Protecting a marshy peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, this remote preserve provides a panorama of natural wetlands from its boardwalk.

Twin Oaks Conservation Area

Named for two ancient live oaks that have long guided anglers to their favorite fishing hole, Twin Oaks Conservation Area protects nearly 400 acres along Lake Tohopekaliga.

Live oak canopy over hiking trail

Lake Runnymede Conservation Area

Ancient live oaks provide a tightly knit canopy over the 0.9-mile trail system at Lake Runnymede Conservation Area, a 43 acre urban preserve.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Day Hikes, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Trails, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Birding, Kenansville, Observation Decks, St. Cloud, Three Lakes WMA

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