Manager's Message

Jeffrey Pettis, Park Manager

Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve is one of the few places left to experience true Florida scrub land, home to what we call …the Real Florida. Venturing out onto the trails gives visitors the opportunity to get away from fast-paced big-city noises, and step into wildly beautiful natural areas.

Hike, bike or horseback ride through our 12 plus miles of towering long leaf pines, white sand hills and oak scrub that a variety of wildlife call home. Watching how numerous animals coexist in this sometimes-harsh ecosystem never ceases to amaze me. Black bear and white-tailed deer, the endangered indigo snake and the ever-important gopher tortoise, all work together in a natural balance to keep the land beneficial for them all.

As you move throughout the trails, you may also see evidence of one of the many parts of being a steward of this land that I am passionate about: as a safer alternative to naturally occurring wildfires, carefully planned mechanical treatment and prescribed fires are performed to allow Florida’s fire dependent landscape to be maintained in its natural state. Our efforts to restore and maintain the natural habitats of these animals can be seen around the reserve. 

Our efforts, and those of our predecessors, allow for animals such as the Florida scrub jay, the swallow-tailed kite, and many endangered plants to continue safely utilizing the reserve as their home.

I recommend the cooler, early mornings in the scrub. There are several options for your trail excursion to choose from, whether you would enjoy a couple hours long hike or just have a short window to fill. Don’t forget to bring your water, as it can get quite warm and, in many places, shade is scarce. Please feel welcome to bring your dog along, just don’t forget their 6-foot leash.