San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

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The San Felasco Hammock is one of the finest and largest remaining examples of mature upland hardwood forest, Florida’s richest, most diverse ecosystem.  This 7,300-acre preserve includes about 25 different natural communities, including the rare upland mixed woodland, upland pine, sandhill, and a host of wetland habitats.  Sinkholes, seepage springs, ponds and swamps dot the landscape.  The limestone outcrops, extreme changes in elevation, and shady canopy of the Hammock provide optimal conditions for many species of hardwood trees, herbs and ferns rarely seen elsewhere.  Rare and unusual plants can be found along the slopes of the ravines and sinkholes.  The park is also home to several champion trees.

Blues Creek, Turkey Creek and Cellon Creek all enter San Felasco from outside the park boundary and flow through the park, finally dropping into swallows, which drain back into the aquifer.  These “stream to sink” systems are common in the area due to the underlying limestone geology.  The western portions of the preserve are dominated by longleaf pine communities, which are routinely managed with prescribed fires designed to mimic the natural fires that once burned these woodlands.

The park provides habitat for wildlife such as bobcat, white-tailed deer, gray fox and turkey.  Less obvious wildlife species include many species of reptiles and amphibians, including gopher tortoises, gopher frogs, Florida mice and mole salamanders.  San Felasco Hammock is also renowned as a popular birding destination since the wide variety of natural habitats provide for many species of birds.

The following map and trail guide are provided courtesy of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks.

Click here for map and brochure.