Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes |
National Park Location Maps:
(click here to zoom and navigate local map)
(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)
View TOPO Maps!
Get directions to this park:
National Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open
Nearby Parks:
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Key Museum State Park
Cedar Key State Memorial and Museum
Manatee Springs State Park
Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
Fanning Springs State Park
|
| National Park Overview: |
 | Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1979, is located along the southern edge of the Big Bend region of Florida's west coast, approximately 50 miles southwest of Gainsville. This 54,000 acre refuge is one of the largest undeveloped river delta - estuarine systems in the United States and was established to protect natural ecosystems of the Suwannee River's lower reaches and coastal marsh, as it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
This diverse mixture of uplands, freshwater, saltwater and their associated wetlands, creates a great variety of wildlife habitat and scenic vistas. Osprey and bald eagle nest in early spring, while graceful swallow-tailed kites arrive in March for breeding and remain through July. In March and April migrating shorebirds cover the oysterbars; thousands of knots, dowitchers, oystercatchers, sandpipers, turnstones, and plovers fatten up for their northward trip to their breeding grounds.
Wading birds are most abundant during the summer and they can be found feeding in the freshwater and salt marshes. White ibis, great, snowy, and cattle egrets along with great blue, little blue, green, and tricolored herons are among the birds that roost and nest on nearby Cedar Keys refuge. Rare Limpkins and endangered wood storks are occasionally seen prowling the water's edge during the warm months.
Alert boaters may see endangered Gulf Sturgeon jumping in the river. These prehistoric fish migrate from the Gulf of Mexico to the Suwannee River in the spring for spawning and remain there all summer. Manatees leave Crystal River springs, their winter haven, when the gulf waters warm and utilize the Suwannee River and its estuary from March through November. Seaturtles, mostly green, loggerhead and Ridley's utilize the rich Suwannee sound during the summer months but generally go unnoticed.
The beauty of the Suwannee river, with its hardwood lined banks where alligators loaf on exposed logs, long legged wading birds feed and otters play is a wonderful place for visitors to celebrate our National Wildlife Refuge System. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
| Be the 1st to Review Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
| |
| |
| |
| Area Activities |
| Boating | |  | Riverscape Boat Tours LLC - Ocala, FL
Ride silently on nature tours on the silver river. The most beautiful river in the world. We transport guests back in time to wild Florida as it was thousands of years ago - untouched and untamed. Sparkling clear water that has over a hundred feet visibility. Book the Silver River trip now as the boats fill fast.
Web Site: http://www.riverscapesboattours.com |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast - This lovely inn built in 1880 is located 125 miles north of Tampa. Discover Old Florida. 7 wonderful guest rooms w/private baths plus (2) awesome suite! Enjoy the Gulf view from the Veranda and our la | | Hotels/Motels | |  | Seahorse Landing Condo Rentals - Cedar Key, FL
Luxury Gulf Front condos with spectacular views. A tranquil spot on this usually quiet island, yet shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Cedar Key is a picturesque artist/fishing/naturalist village with a diverse history. Within 20 min. of several State & Federal wildlife refuges & parks. A birders paradise. 877-514-5096
Web Site: http://www.seahorselanding.com |
|
| | Campgrounds | |  | Wynnhaven Riverside RV Park - Bushnell, FL
Wynnhaven Riverside is located on County Road 48 in the small town of Bushnell, Florida. Whether you are visiting Florida and want sun or prefer to camp in the shade of Florida's grand oak trees, we have units available for both.
Web Site: http://www.wynnhavenriverside.com |
|
|
| |
| | Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com
...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
|
| Related Links: |
| DogFriendly.com's Travel Guide: Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge - ... Travel Guides for Dogs of ALL Sizes! Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and other Places to take your Pet in ... City Guide Page Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Lower Suwannee ... | | Lower Suwannee NWR - ... Manager Pamela Darty Public Use Specialist Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge 16450 NW 31st Place Chiefland, FL ... of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge contain valuable water ... | | Bird Checklists of the United States - ... colonial bird nesting sites in north Florida. Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1979 with the ... Refuge Manager Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge 16450 NW 31 PL ... | | Town of Suwannee Chamber of Commerce - Suwannee, Florida - Where the salt waters of the Gu - Suwannee, Florida, USA. Where the salt waters of the Gulf of Mexico intertwine with the spring-fed ... the beautiful and wild Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, this unique small community ... |
| Directions: |
| The refuge can be accessed from Dixie County road 351 out of Cross City, Dixie County road 349 out of Old Town and Levy County road 347 out of Chiefland. To reach the refuge office, which is located in Levy County: from Gainesville take State Road 26 to Trenton, then Highway 129 south to Chiefland, then U.S. 19 south for 1 mile to County Road 345 south for 6 miles to County Road 347. Go west on 347 for 12 miles to the refuge sign leading to the refuge office, a good first stop for a brochure and map of the area. |
|
|
| |
|
USA
