Lake Harney Wilderness Area

A 300-acre preserve at the outflow of Lake Harney, one of the many Central Florida lakes formed by the St. Johns River as it flows north, Lake Harney Wilderness Area encompasses diverse landscapes. Deer browse in the uplands, where you’ll see eagle’s nests in the tall pines before slipping under ancient live oaks to find the remains of the once-thriving lumber mill town of Osceola. A tall Timucuan midden forms a lookout over the cypress-lined river. In the lowlands, acres of colorful wildflowers frame a picture-perfect panorama of this pristine lake, now visible from an outstanding observation tower. Two loops totaling 2.4 miles provide a gentle walk through this beauty spot.

The trail system of the LHWA consists of the Flagler Trail which bisects the site from the Trailhead northeast to the St. Johns River and two loop trails. The River Loop, blazed in yellow, is located at the northern end of the Flagler Trail traversing oak hammocks and mixed pine oak forests. This loop is approximately 0.6 miles long and provides several scenic views of the St. Johns River.