Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve covers over 5,000 acres in Levy County to the northeast
of Cedar Key. Recreational use is managed by the Florida State Park System. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulate its use for hunting as
a Wildlife Management Area.
There are two trailheads that provide access to the
area - one along State Road 24, and the other on Levy County Road 347. Twelve different
natural habitats are represented, including Florida scrub - playing home to the
endangered scrub jay, gopher tortoise, bald eagle and white-tailed deer, among others.
The western portions of the reserve also include tidal marshes with numerous creeks
that present interesting areas to fish or explore by kayak or canoe. There are no
kayak launch points from within the reserve. Rental kayaks are available in the
nearby town of Cedar Key. If you have your own watercraft, the best place to launch
is the boat ramp located behind the FWD Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Laboratory
that is off State Road 24 at the entrance to Cedar Key.
There are about 12 miles of multi-use trails withing the boundaries of Cedar Keys
Scrub State Reserve, all of which may be used for hiking, off-road bicycling, or
horseback riding. Dogs are permitted on a leash. Fishing is also popular in the
saltwater marshes along the western boundaries of the reserve.
County road 347 splits the reserve into an east and west section. The State Road
24 trailhead includes a picnic shelter and a self-composting toilet. The County
Road 347 trailhead provides access to the western most trail system - that are a
bit firmer that those in the east section which tend to me more sandhill habitat
(in other words, sugar sand).
Activities & Facilities
Picnic shelter
Dogs allowed
Short hiking trails
Long hiking trails
Paved bike trails
Mountain bike trails
Horse trails
Swimming
Fishing