River Trail Loop... Short Hike to the Suwannee River

Within the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

River Trail Loop is located near the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. The 3/4 mile hike includes an overlook on the Suwannee River. It connects with the Tram Ridge Loop Trail for an additional 2.5 miles. Worth checking out when in the area, especially for anyone visiting the Dixie-Mainline Drive (Map link and photos below.)

Lower Suwannee River Trail, Florida eco-hiking

Map link... Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

View Larger Map

Location: Levy County (Cedar Key/Fowlers Bluff)
End Points: At the Refuge Headquarters off CR 347 at Fowlers Bluff
Mileage: River Trail Loop, 3/4 mile; Tram Ridge Loop Trail, 2.5 miles
Surface: Dirt, grass, boardwalk
Nearby points of interest: Suwannee River, Cedar Key, Shell Mound

Support and Advocacy:

Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges

Page Summary:

Hiking the River Trail Loop
- Trail to the Boardwalk and River
- 2nd Boardwalk, Return to Parking
-The Bat House
More Information and Resources

Hiking the River Trail Loop... Comments and Photos

River Trail Loop

The trail starts along an old logging road through the floodplain forest. After about 1/4 mile you'll come up to a bench where the trail splits. To the left, a boardwalk goes about 1/10 mile through the river swamp leading to an overlook on the Suwannee River - the only trail within the Refuge that goes to the river! From the split going right, another boardwalk runs through swamp and then onto some uplands with pine and scrub. Here it meets the Tram Ridge Loop Trail - an additional 2.5 mile hike, or just follow the sign to continue on the River Trail and return to the main parking area. Interpretative markers are provided all along the trail.

Trail to the Boardwalk and River

Onto the trail

River Trail Loop

At the split

On the boardwalk

Typical interpretative marker

Approaching river

Observation deck

Suwannee River

2nd Boardwalk, Return to Parking

At trail split

Boardwalk through swamp

Onto drier land

On the trail

Meeting Tram Ridge Trail

Return to parking (sign)

On the trail

To parking

Information kiosk

The Bat House

At sunset, the bats can be seen heading out to catch insects. The bat houses were built to replace lost habitat for the bats - the hollow trees traditionally used were demolished by logging operations in the area.