Swamp Trail at Lake Griffin

Visit the swamp trail on your next visit to Lake Griffin State Park.

This 1.3-mile roundtrip trail takes you through a pristine swamp habitat where you’ll see several types of ferns and other plants.

The habitat you’ll be walking through is technically basin marsh, which is sometimes inundated with water and dry at other times.

In the case of our basin marsh, it had been mostly dry for many years until Hurricane Irma came along. In fact, during the planning and clearing phase of the trail building, this area was dry.

Extraordinary amounts of rainfall flooded local lakes and our marsh. Because the water table has remained high after the storm, the water hasn’t drained and the trail has remained wet.

Although the area remained wet, it opened up a new opportunity for this trail. The boardwalk you’re walking on was built by hand by intrepid volunteer Mike Jeakle.

Along this section of the trail, you will see ancient saw palmettoes and smell wild vanilla. Keep an eye out for the diverse plants and animals you might see. 

This trail is not for the faint of heart and features a narrow gauge boardwalk over the water. There are places on the trail that can get muddy depending on the weather. We recommend you bring a walking stick and wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

There are several opportunities to stop and rest on this trail. After leaving the swamp, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some nice upland habitat.

We recommend you bring:

• Plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellent and snacks.
• Walking stick, map, compass and cellphone.