The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge covers an extended area of 70,000 acres, and 43 miles, of coastal Florida from the Ochlockonee River to the Aucilla River - extending through Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties. Established in 1931 primarily to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, it is one of the oldest national wildlife refuges in the country.

The visitor center, located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, is the main visitor focus for the refuge - although there are numerous other access points into more remote areas. The visitor center area includes administrative offices, gift shop and nature store, and an environmental eduction center. Drive about 7 miles south to see the St. Marks lighthouse. Placed in service in 1831, it is the oldest lighthouse on the Florida gulf coast.

Trail hiking is one of the most popular activities in the refuge. Trailheads for two nature trails begin near the visitor center. The Stoney Bayou loop is 6.5 miles long, and the Deep Creek trail is a longer loop of 12 miles. Shorter walking trails are also available at the visitor center and the lighthouse area. A 49 mile segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail runs through the refuge for those interested in backpacking.

Boating and kayaking in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the key attractions. There are at least a dozen boat ramps or kayak launch points extending across the refuge offering access to the Gulf of Mexico, several of the lakes within the refuge, and the seven rivers or streams that flow through the refuge to the Gulf. The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail extends along the coastal sections of the refuge - and primitive campsites are provided for use by long-distance paddlers.

History buffs will also find interesting things to see and do within St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to the St. Marks Light - listed on the National Register of Historic Places - check out the small town of St. Marks. It was originally settled in the 1600's by the Spanish as the location of a port at the junction of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers for shipping cotton, A railroad - some say it was Florida's first - connected St. Marks to the city of Tallahassee. The site of the fort is now protected as part of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park.Activities & Facilities

Museum or Visitor CenterPicnic shelterShort hiking trailsLong hiking trailsPaved bike trailsMountain bike trailsOpen gulf kayakingRiver or lake kayakingMotor boatingFishing

• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge area map
• Panacea Unit trails
• Wakulla Unit trails
• St. Marks Unit trails
• Primitive walking trails map
• US Fish & Wildlife Service webpage for St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
• 2006 Comprehensive Conservation Plan