Use the Trail


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How to find and use the Trail

How to Find the Trail

The Great Florida Birding Trail consists of four sections. Click on the section names below for listings of sites, contact information and possible site closures:

East Florida Section (opened November 2000)
West Florida Section (opened November 2002)
Panhandle Florida Section (opened May 2004)
South Florida Section (opened January 2006)

Specific information on site amenities, habitat and species information can be found in the Great Florida Birding Trail guides.

Gateways

To better introduce visitors to the Birding Trail, the Great Florida Birding Trail designated nine “gateway” sites at exceptional birding locations. There are two or three gateways located in each trail section. Gateways have staffed visitor centers and serve as hubs for Birding Trail information. Each gateway has a special kiosk with birdwatching tips for beginners and introductory information regarding the Birding Trail. Loaner optics can be checked out for free for a day with a driver’s license or major credit card at all gateway locations. Or stop by and pick up a copy of the trail guides.

Great Florida Birding Trail gateway kiosks at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge,
Big Lagoon State Park and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Four ways to get a guide to the Trail

1) For the most up to date information, download a copy of the guides.

2) Request a free copy be mailed to you.

3) Pick one up at any number of nature centers throughout the state, or visit one of the gateway sites. Gateways are hubs for birding trail information and are located at the following sites:

East Florida Section:

Ft. Clinch State Park (Fernandina Beach)
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Titusville)
Tenoroc Fish Management Area (Lakeland)

West Florida Section:

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (Gainesville)
Ft. De Soto Park (St. Petersburg)

Panhandle Florida Section:

Big Lagoon State Park (Pensacola)
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Tallahassee)

South Florida Section:

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples)
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (West Palm Beach)

4) An extended "Guide to the Great Florida Birding Trail: East Section" was released in book form by the University Press of Florida in 2002. It is available for purchase online as well as in major Florida bookstores.

Book Cover - Guide to the Great Florida Birding Trail: East Section

For a successful trip ...

Check the guide in advance to make sure you're visiting seasonal sites at the right time of year.
Call ahead to visit sites that are by appointment only.