Southwest Florida Water Management District also offers this ...

Weekiwachee Preserve
Size
9,000 acres
Location
Hernando County coast, west of Weeki Wachee
About the Property
The Weekiwachee Preserve is part of a regional
system of conservation lands that extends up
to Crystal River Buffer Preserve, preserving the
southernmost coastal hardwood hammock in
western Florida. The preserve provides a rich
mosaic of habitats including several miles of Weeki
Wachee River frontage, portions of the Mud River,
dense hardwood swamps, fresh and saltwater
marshes, and pine-covered sandhills. The preserve
is best known for its Florida black bear population.
The bears are shy, elusive and pose no threat to
people, spending most of their time deep within
the swamp.
Since the 1940s, the southwest corner of the
preserve was mined for limerock. Mining ended
with the public purchase of the property in 1995.
The 45- to 60-foot deep rock quarries have since
filled with clear water from the Floridan aquifer,
creating scenic, spring-like lakes. A variety of
grasses and shrubs struggle to grow through
the limestone around the quarries, giving the
appearance of open grassland. Restoration
projects have begun to revegetate the scraped
mine surfaces and to develop shoreline habitat.
Public ownership protects the wetlands’natural
functions of conveying spring water to the Gulf,
cleansing surface water and providing flood
protection, as well as buffering nearby residential
communities from tropical storms.
Research/Limited Area
While exploring Weekiwachee Preserve, you
may encounter an area marked with “Research
Area, Please Do Not Enter”signs. This area is
closed to public access. The District is conducting
a variety of restoration experiments to learn how
to improve wildlife habitat in the mined areas.
Please help the restoration effort by avoiding the
research area.
Access and Parking
• Enter on foot or bicycle from Shoal Line or
Osowaw Boulevard access points. On second
Saturday of each month, visitors may drive
into preserve through the Osowaw Boulevard
entrance and park at end of paved road.
• ADA access and facilities available.
Hours of Operation
Daily from sunrise to sunset.
Restrooms and Water
Portable toilet available at end of paved road; no
water available.
Recreational Opportunities
Bicycling and Inline Skating
• 5.5 miles of bicycling on interpretive trail and
paved road.
• 1.3-mile paved road adjoining the Osowaw
Boulevard entrance, but is not recommended
due to poor road conditions.
• Always wear helmet. Florida law requires
bicyclists under 16 to wear helmets.
• Always yield trail to wildlife and visitors on foot.
Bird Watching
• Site 69 on west section of Great Florida Birding
Trail.
• Contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) for more information.
Boating and Paddling
• Lakes open to hand-launched boats, canoes and
kayaks.
• Electric trolling motors allowed.
• Gas-powered outboards not allowed.
• Use caution launching boats — banks can be
unstable. Do not back vehicles or trailers onto
bank.
Fishing
• Numerous lakes inhabited by both fresh
and saltwater species. Caution: banks can be
unstable.
• Contact FWC for license requirements.
Hiking
• 5.5-mile interpretive trail and paved road.
• 4.3 miles of marked, scenic woods roads.
• Compass and topographical map
recommended for cross-country travelers.
• Interpretive guide books available at three
locations on trail.
Nearby Recreation Lands
• Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
• Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamp
• Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area
• Crystal River Buffer Preserve
For More Information
Land Resources Department, Southwest Florida
Water Management District, 1-800-423-1476 (FL
only) or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4470
Recreation Guide to Southwest Florida Water Management District Lands
116