Andrews Wildlife Management Area, located on the east bank of the Suwannee River south of Old Town and Fanning Springs, is a 3,500-acre conservation site known for its dense hardwood forests and abundant wildlife. Managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), it offers a primitive outdoor experience characterized by miles of interconnected trails and river views.

The area is named after the Andrews family, who purchased the land in 1945. Unlike many landowners of the era who focused purely on resource extraction, the Andrews family managed the land with a focus on outdoor recreation. They built cabins and established hunting and fishing camps, while being careful to protect the mature hardwood hammock. The family's stewardship preserved what may be the largest continuous tract of old-growth hardwood forest remaining in the state.

In 1985 the land was acquired by the state of Florida to ensure it remained a wilderness preserve under the management of the FWC. In the mid-20th century, the Andrews area was famous for hosting six Florida "champion trees"—the largest recorded specimens of their species in the state. These included a Florida maple, winged elm, and persimmon. While most of these original giants have since died of old age or disease, their legacy is preserved in the names of the trails (like the Persimmon Loop) and in the massive specimens that still dominate the forest today.

Andrews Wildlife Management Area features approximately 10 miles of designated nature trails and unpaved roads. The Suwannee River Trail is a linear path that provides panoramic views of the river. Lucky visitors may even see or hear Gulf sturgeon leaping from the water. The Maple, Persimmon, and Bluff Oak loops offer varied terrain, from grassy clearings with observation towers to dense forests of holly, magnolia, and oaks. A highlight is the robust boardwalk crossing a cypress slough, and an accessible wildlife blind located about a mile from the main trailhead.

A riverside picnic pavilion and a covered dock provide access for those arriving by water via the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. While there is no facility for launching motorboats from Andrews WMA, kayaks and canoes may be put in a short distance from the picnic and parking area. Overnight camping is not permitted. Activities & Facilities

Picnic shelterDogs allowedShort hiking trailsLong hiking trailsMountain bike trailsRiver or lake kayakingHuntingFishing

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website for Andrews WMA
• Andrews WMA trail map