Located along the southern

edge of the Big Bend Region

of Florida’s west coast,

Lower Suwannee National

Wildlife Refuge encompasses

52,257 acres of land in

Dixie and Levy Counties.

The historic Suwannee River,

made famous by

Stephen Foster,

bisects the refuge.

Introduction

Lower Suwannee Refuge was

established on April 10, 1979, for the

purpose of protecting, maintaining,

and enhancing a beautiful and rare

natural ecosystem. Purchase of the

lands was made possible through the

cooperative efforts of the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, The Nature

Conservancy, and Florida’s Suwannee

River Water Management District.

Along the river and its tributary

creeks, the habitat consists of

majestic cypress trees and floodplain

hardwood forests; scrub oak

communities and pine plantations

are found on the upland sites.

From the mouth

of the Suwannee

River, the refuge

fronts 26 miles

of the Gulf of

Mexico where the

habitat changes

to scenic tidal

marshes dotted

with coastal

islands. Each of

these diverse

vegetative

communities

contributes to

making Lower

Suwannee Refuge one of the largest

undeveloped river delta-estuarine

systems in the United States.

The overall goal of Lower Suwannee

National Wildlife Refuge is to

provide conditions desirable to

wildlife through scientific

management. Specific objectives

developed for the area include

providing habitat and protection

for endangered and threatened

species as well as migrating birds

and resident wildlife. The refuge

also provides opportunities for

environmental education and wildlife

oriented recreation.

RJ Lemaire

This blue goose,

designed by J.N.

Ding Darling,

has become the

symbol of the

National Wildlife

Refuge System.

Jerry Gamble
Wildlife

A constant influx of nutrients from

the river system coupled with

numerous offshore islands and tidal

creeks create excellent wildlife

habitat. Marine mammals such as

bottlenose dolphin and the

endangered West Indian Manatee,

along with several species of marine

turtles, utilize the coastal waters of

the Suwannee Sound. Natural salt

marshes and tidal flats attract

thousands of shorebirds and diving

ducks while acting as a valuable

nursery area for fish, shrimp and

shellfish. Freshwater fish including

largemouth bass, Suwannee bass,

bluegill, redear sunfish and channel

catfish are found in the Suwannee

River and its creeks.

Floodplain wetlands such as

bottomland hardwood forests, wooded

swamps and freshwater marsh

support nesting wood ducks, black

bear, otter, alligator, wading birds,

raccoons and several species of

wintering waterfowl. Mixed hardwood

pine forests and uplands offer cover to

turkey and white-tailed deer.

In addition to these animals,

other species (including several

that are classified as endangered

or threatened) utilize various

habitat types present on Lower

Suwannee Refuge.

Over 250 species of birds have been

identified on the refuge. Osprey,

swallow-tailed kite and bald eagles

are among the ninety species that nest

on the area.

Managing Forest and Water Forest and water management

techniques are utilized on Lower

Suwannee Refuge to maintain or

enhance habitat conditions for the

various wildlife species present on

the area. Forest management activities,

including prescribed burning

and selective cutting, stress the

reestablishment of original

vegetative communities altered

by years of commercial timber

production. Water management activities create

additional seasonal habitat for

wading birds such as white ibis,

herons, egrets, and wood storks. Wood duck nesting habitat is

enhanced by placement of nesting

boxes at various sites throughout the

area. Nest platforms erected on

offshore islands provide additional

nesting sites for osprey.

Bruce Colin © Bruce Colin ©

Bruce Colin ©

Bruce Colin ©
326

24

Amason Cr.

Shired Cr.

Johnson Cr.

Sanders Cr.

Suwannee River

Suw anneeRiver

Bumblebee Cr.

WestPass

Shingle Cr.

Gopher River

DanMay Cr.

BarnettCr.

Week

Cr.

Flag Cr.

LittleTroutCr.

BigTroutCr.

Cross City

7 miles Old Town

10 miles

South Entrance 

Gate 9

North Entrance

Gate 1

Fowler's Bluff

Chiefland

13 miles

 Shell Mound

Gainesville

50 miles

Cedar Key

5 miles

Levy County

Campground 

GULF OF MEXICO

Fishbone Cr.

East Pass

357

347

349

351

Refuge Boundary

State and County Roads

Primary refuge roads

(Open year round to vehicle traffic)

Secondary Road

(Foot/bicycle use only)

Refuge headquarters

County campground

Boat ramp

Scenic walking trail

Lower Suwannee

National Wildlife Refuge

N

Tallahassee Perry Lake 

City

Cross

 City Chiefland

Gainesville

19

10

98

19 98

75

41

349

347 24

Area of 

map

FLORIDA

Suwannee

River

Dunnellon

Lower Suwannee

National Wildlife Refuge

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife Observation

Wildlife observation is best during

early morning and evening hours

with the better viewing opportunities

occurring during the winter and

spring months. Wading birds such as

white ibis, herons and egrets are

often found along roadside ditches

and sloughs from early spring

through mid-November. Wild turkeys

are frequently sighted along road

right-of-ways throughout the year.

During the spring and summer

months, American alligators are

commonly sighted throughout all

refuge wetland areas. Osprey,

swallow-tailed kite, and bald eagle

activity peaks during late spring.

White-tailed deer are more readily

observed during the fall and winter

with the best time for viewing being

at dusk along road right-of-ways.

Refuge Regulations

All motorized vehicles are restricted

to use on designated roads as

shown on the attached map. The use

of ATV’s (three and four wheelers,

etc.) is prohibited.

Not permitted on the refuge, but is

available at county campgrounds

located on CR 326 near Shell Mound

and Shired Island off CR 357.

Prohibited. Please dispose of in a

responsible manner.

Not permitted on refuge.

Taking of government property, any

artifact, natural feature, animal or

plant is prohibited. Metal detectors

are prohibited.

Firearms/weapons are prohibited

except during refuge hunting

seasons.

Must be on a leash and under control

of owner at all times.

Not permitted on refuge.

How to Enjoy Your Visit

The refuge is open year-round for

wildlife observation, hiking and

photography. There are 40 miles of

improved roads (primary) scattered

through the refuge that are open to

motorized vehicles, which provide the

visitor a glimpse of the various forest

and wetland habitats within the

refuge. Hiking and bicycling are

allowed on all refuge roads. An

additional 50 miles of unimproved

roads (secondary) are available for

hiking and bicycling only.

Several walking trails are available

on the refuge. The historic Suwannee

River and its hardwood swamps can

be viewed along the 0.6-mile River

Trail located just north of the refuge

headquarters.

Vehicles

Camping

Littering

Fires

Collecting

Firearms/

weapons

Pets

Horses

Ken Sourbeer©

N

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B

U
The Dennis Creek Trail (1.0-mile

loop) and the Shell Mound Trail (0.3-

mile loop) are located at Shell Mound

at the end of County Road 326. The

Dennis Creek trail takes you through

a coastal island where you will see

various bird life and unique coastal

habitat. The Shell Mound Trail

crosses over an ancient Indian shell

midden (reaching 28 feet above mean

sea level), where a spectacular view

of the coastal estuary and Gulf of

Mexico awaits you.

A handicapped accessible fishing

boardwalk/observation pier is also

available at Shell Mound. The Salt

Creek observation trail (.1 mile) and

fishing boardwalk provides a breath

taking view of the salt marsh and

coastal pine islands. This trail is

located off of CR 349 about one mile

from the town of Suwannee.

Note: Biting insects are particularly

numerous along these trails during

the summer months. Use of an insect

repellent is advised.

Coastal waters, tidal creeks, interior

ponds and the Suwannee River are

open year-round to fishing. Public

boat ramps providing access to the

Suwannee River are located at

nearby Fowler’s Bluff and the town

of Suwannee in Dixie County. Access

to coastal waters is available at

Cedar Key, Shell Mound, Shired

Island and the town of Suwannee.

Hunting of small game (squirrel,

raccoon) big game (turkey, deer and

hog), and waterfowl is permitted

during designated seasons. A special

brochure and permit is required for

hunting. Information is available at

the refuge headquarters.

The Refuge System

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife

Refuge is one of over 530 refuges in

the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The mission of the System is to

preserve a national network of lands

and waters for the conservation and

management of fish, wildlife, and

plant resources of the United States

for the benefit of present and

future generations. The System

encompasses over 92 million acres

administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the

Department of the Interior.

In addition to the refuge system,

the Fish and Wildlife Service is

responsible for the endangered

species program, National Fish

Hatcheries, certain marine mammals

and migratory birds, as well as other

wildlife programs. The refuge office

is open Monday through Friday from

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information

Contact:

Refuge Manager

Lower Suwannee

National Wildlife Refuge

16450 NW 31 Place

Chiefland, FL 32626

352/493 0238

Henry Sansing

Ken Litzenberger
Lower Suwannee

National Wildlife Refuge

16450 Northwest 31 Place

Chiefland, FL 32626

352/493 0238

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http://southeast.fws.gov

May 2003

Cover: LW Richardson