Tupelo Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Snakes, alligators and a long stretch of root strewn dike make this a path to stay alert on.

From the roadside parking area, work your way past the service gate and follow the diversion canal north west along the service road. The road is a dirt dike covered with grass, with fair amounts of sandy spots to keep things mixed up.

Cross the old access bridge, taking note of the number of alligators below you. Continue along the dike system until it turns a sharp left, but follow the trail right into the singletrack dike trail that heads north into the cypress swamp. Roots, vines, and sharp embankments make this a fun, yet challenging portion. Beware snakes and gators on this bit, but watch for playful otters in the tidal area to the left. The dike eventually gives way to leaf strewn singletrack that winds gently though the forest and swamp before crossing a final boardwalk over a muddy stretch before dumping you on the Kingfisher Pond Loop.

Wild pigs, extreme numbers of waterfowl, a heavy alligator population, snakes, turtles and raccoon keep this typical southern swamp habitat busy. A large population of a local Iris, the Blue Flag, can be found where the trail enters the swamp at about mile 2.