Andrews Wildlife Management Area
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 shelter

Dogs allowed

Short hiking trails

Long hiking trails

Mountain bike trails

River or lake kayaking

Hunting

Fishing
Additional resources