Levy County: Nature, Trails and Coastal Culture

Levy County can be explored through a variety of landscapes and travel themes: clear springs, shady forests, winding rivers, the Gulf Coast and numerous trails. When looking for hotels for a trip to Levy County, first consider whether you want to focus on wildlife watching and hiking, waterscapes or culture. The options range from extensive trails and a boardwalk through a cypress forest to a self-guided art walk and historical museums.

Nature, Water and Protected Areas

Goethe State Forest lies in southeastern Levy County near the Gulf of America. Its trail network can be accessed from more than seven separate trailheads. During daylight hours, the forest is open for picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing and horseback riding. Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge has 194 miles of roads and trails for wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, driving, photography and fishing. The refuge’s outdoor areas are open from sunrise to sunset; check these hours before your visit.

At Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, nature experiences include bird and dolphin watching, as well as possible sightings of eagle rays and manatees. The refuge consists of twelve offshore islands accessible only by watercraft. Together with the University of Florida’s Seahorse Key Marine Research Lab, it offers environmental education programs. Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park is also accessible only by boat. Its salt marshes and tidal creeks provide habitat for saltwater fish, crabs and shellfish.

At Manatee Springs State Park, an 800-foot boardwalk runs through a cypress forest and offers a view of the spring. The park also has 8.5 miles of nature trails. The first-magnitude spring releases about 100 million gallons of water daily. At Fanning Springs State Park, the spring’s daily water flow is 65 million gallons, and the spring water is 72 degrees. Visitors can reach the park by boat from the Suwannee River or by vehicle via U.S. Highway 19. A canoe and kayak launch provides easy access to the Suwannee River via a sandy shore.

Planning Trails and Activities

Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve offers 13 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The reserve’s natural habitats include twelve biological communities that offer opportunities for wildlife viewing. At Manatee Springs State Park, the short boardwalk through the cypress forest and the 8.5 miles of nature trails offer two different ways to explore the area: a walk with a view of the spring and longer trails through the natural landscape.

The Nature Coast State Trail runs for 32 miles through Florida’s Nature Coast region, connecting Fanning Springs and Chiefland along disused railroad tracks. By contrast, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge has a network of roads and trails for a variety of activities, from hiking to photography. These options differ in both length and type: from an 800-foot boardwalk to nature and multi-use trails and a longer trail route. It’s therefore helpful to decide on your trip’s specific destinations and activities first when planning.

Coastal Landscape and Culture

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve includes Levy County; Cedar Key is one of the coastal communities along the preserve. Activities in these waters include swimming, wildlife viewing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, scalloping and fishing. In Levy County, you can fish for redfish, sea trout, bass and sunfish in the Gulf’s shallow coastal waters and in rivers. At Lower Suwannee, the Suwannee flows into the Gulf’s estuarine waters. These waters provide habitat for Gulf sturgeon and serve as feeding grounds for resident and migratory shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl.

Cedar Key’s attractions also offer a variety of cultural experiences. The City of Cedar Key Historical Museum presents Cedar Key’s history in two buildings. Topics include early Indigenous inhabitants, the Civil War, and the pencil-making, fishing and railroad eras. The Cedar Key Clam Sculpture Trail is a self-guided walking tour featuring public art in downtown. Cedar Key Arts Center presents rotating gallery exhibitions and offers hands-on workshops. Each spring, the Arts Center also coordinates the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts; check current event dates before your trip.

Cedar Key Museum State Park offers a walk past pines and oaks to Cedar Key’s salt marshes. The park commemorates the life of St. Clair Whitman in his historic home; the museum displays his shell collections and artifacts from the Indigenous population. At Cemetery Park and Boardwalk, a mangrove boardwalk offers opportunities to see herons, egrets, dolphins and manatees. Levy County Quilt Museum preserves and displays historic quilts. Cedar Key Seafood Festival is a recurring event in Cedar Key; check current dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Chiefland, Cedar Key, Morriston, Inglis, Okeechobee, Hamilton County, Escambia, Charlotte.

For the broader travel overview: Florida.