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Tuscawilla Preserve live oak canopy

Tuscawilla Preserve

Peek through thick curtains of Spanish moss beneath grandfather live oaks along the shores of an ancient lake

Alachua Conservation Trust  |  Micanopy
( 29.502246, -82.269881 )      0.7 miles

1.0K shares

Protecting nearly 600 acres on the rim of Tuscawilla Prairie, a complex of wetlands along the edge of Florida’s oldest inland city, Micanopy, Tuscawilla Preserve is an excellent birding destination.

The greater Tuscawilla Preserve was created when the Alachua Conservation Trust bought the prairie in 2006. Its 500 acres includes small Thrasher Park, a picnic spot along the prairie rim.

Tuscawilla Preserve
Under the oaks at Tuscawilla Preserve

Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Five Star Trails Gainesville Ocala book cover

Overview

Location: Micanopy
Length: 0.7 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.502246, -82.269881
Fees / Permits: free
Restroom: none
Land Manager: Alachua Conservation Trust
Phone: 352-373-1078

Park at the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve, where there is a gravel parking area. Leashed dogs welcome. No bicycles permitted on these trails. Beware of red ant nests along the path.


Directions

 
From Interstate 75 exit 374, Micanopy, follow CR 234 east for 0.6 mile to NW Seminary Avenue. Turn right and drive 0.7 mile through this historic residential district to NE Cholokka Boulevard, which is flanked by the historic downtown. Turn right and continue along the road as it leaves town and continues 0.5 mile to the parking area on the left.

Hike

It wasn’t that many decades ago that you’d see Tuscawilla Lake from US 441, but it’s all but disappeared in modern times.

The prairie that remains is a gathering place for migratory sandhill cranes. In a single visit, we’ve counted over a hundred flocked together.

Tuscawilla Prairie
Tuscawilla Prairie

Cross the street. A monument under the oaks directly across from the parking area proclaims this as Thrasher Park. Like the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve, it is a site of archaeological importance.

The trail system is short, but enables you to make a loop beneath the ancient oaks. Turn right at the entrance kiosk to follow the mowed path west. Stay to the right at the first junction to keep on the outer loop.

Tuscawilla Prairie
Hiking the rim of Tuscawilla Prairie

The understory is very open, making for scenic views from a variety of perspectives beneath the moss-draped oaks. Passing a stile out to the road, the trail begins its curve to the prairie rim, entering taller grasses.

In fall, the Florida myrtle burst into puffs of white blossoms that eventually shed and float through the air.

Tuscawilla Preserve live oak canopy
Live oak canopy at Tuscawilla Preserve

Passing a side trail into the prairie, you reach a T junction. Turn right to follow the trail into a beauty spot under the ancient live oaks.

At the next intersection, you can see a picnic bench and the entrance kiosk. Keep right to follow the eastern loop out along the shore of the prairie and back through the oaks to the road.

Tuscawilla Preserve kiosk
Kiosk at the start and end of the loop at Tuscawilla Preserve

Explore More

Slideshow

Our slideshow of hiking Tuscawilla Preserve


Nearby Trails

In addition to the trail directly across the road at the trailhead, these are other nearby locations with excellent birding.

South Levee Barr Hammock Preserve

Barr Hammock Preserve

Circling Levy Prairie at Barr Hammock Preserve provides a glimmer of understanding of the chain of prairies that William Bartram saw during his 1774 traverse of the region

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve

A worthwhile wander on water management lands, this loop hike at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve hits the highlights of this colorful 2,850-acre preserve.

Paynes Prairie pickerelweed blooms

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Protecting a massive natural basin of prairie between Micanopy and Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park combines panoramic views with wildlife watching along its trails

Micanopy Native American Preserve

Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve

On the high ground above Lake Tuscawilla, an ancient village once stood. The Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve is dedicated to its memory and preservation.



Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Hikes, Land Trusts, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, North Florida, TrailsTag: Big Trees, Birding, Micanopy, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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