Taylor Creek Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

BRING MOSQUITO REPELLENT!!

This trail was once a part of the Florida Trail built by the Indian River chapter of the Florida Trail Association more than two decades ago. Pay close attention to the single white blazes on the young pines and cabbage palms so you do not end up on a deer trail.

The trail passes through a few habitats such as marshes, palm hammocks, and pine flatwoods, and many tree trunks have been scorched by wildfire.

White blazes lead you east as the trail runs parallel to Florida SR 520 for a bit, so it may be difficult to immerse yourself in your natural surroundings with the sound of high-speed traffic close by. Once the trails turns south, the noise begins to dissipate and disappears as you enter the live oak and palm hammocks.

Once you pass the picnic table at about 2-1/2 miles in, white blazes lead you southwest down the Taylor Creek Spur Trail into the cypress swamp (if you choose). Near the creek, a sign marks the "Taylor Creek Trail End," at which you can return along the spur trail. The remainder of the trail heads west and then turns north, and is forest service road marked by white blazes.

Much of this forest is not old growth. In the 1930s and 1940s, the region between the 13 mile long Jim Creek and 8.4 mile long Taylor Creek was heavily logged for pine and cypress. Taylor Creek could be named after Col. Zachary Taylor—the 12th President of the United States and colonel during the Second Seminole War.

Wading birds and migrating waterfowl can be found to the south in Taylor Creek. Snakes, white-tailed deer, wild boar, bobcat, fox squirrel, bald eagle, gray fox, turkey, hawks, owls, and songbirds. Orchids, hand ferns, cabbage (Sabal) palms, oaks, willow, red maple, poison ivy, and beautyberry shrubs.