Osprey Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildlife

The Osprey Trail starts at the end of the road with the same name in Spring Hammock Preserve. The paved Cross Seminole Trail also crosses through the trailhead area. While there is no parking allowed right at the trailhead, parking is available around the Environmental Studies Center a short distance up the road.

The trail leads through the wooded wetlands of the preserve and mostly follows a drainage creek that flows to Lake Jesup. About a half mile from the trailhead is a covered picnic pavilion. Several bridges cross the creek in this area leading to side trails through the wetlands.

Shortly after the pavilion, the Cypress Tree Boardwalk intersects to the south. A little further down the trail is a small pond with a bench for sitting. After about 0.75 miles, the trail turns sharply to the south and enters a swamp area. This portion of the trail may be flooded during high water. At the end of the trail, a boardwalk leads out to an observation deck overlooking Lake Jesup, and the Limpkin Trail continues around to complete a loop of the preserve.