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Recreation home

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• Campsites and shelters in the Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area

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Orange Creek Restoration Area

• Property map
• Google Maps location
• Trail guides
  • North restoration area
  • South restoration area

Size:

3,524 acres.

Location:

Northeast of Citra in Alachua and Marion counties, on the eastern side of Orange Lake.

Description:

The Orange Creek Restoration Area is located within the Orange Creek Basin, an area that has been hydrologically altered, with varying impacts to the water and natural resources, since the beginning of the 20th century. From the 1940s until the District purchased it in 1998, the land had been used for farming. Currently the property includes a combination of restored wetlands, timberlands, pastures, and wet prairies and other wetlands. Water from Orange Creek flows to the Ocklawaha River. Natural communities characteristic of the property include mesic flatwoods, floodplain swamp, floodplain marsh and depression marsh.

Wildlife viewing:

Numerous listed species are found on-site, including wood storks, bald eagles, Florida sandhill cranes and snowy egrets. A diversity of waterfowl, including the mottled duck, hooded merganser, blue-winged teal and other wetland-dependent species use the marshes, wetland prairies and former farm fields as foraging and roosting sites. The area also provides habitat for glossy ibis, northern harrier, turkey, alligator and white-tailed deer.

Recreational activities:

1. Hiking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, horseback riding, camping and seasonal hunting. more info
2. Orange Creek is a designated small-game hunt area, open for waterfowl and snipe season. View hunting information.

Restrictions: more info

1. Motorized vehicles are not permitted.
2. Public access is restricted in certain areas under construction or restoration, as posted.

Access:

From U.S. 301, take County Road (CR) 325 east for approximately two miles to the parking area on the south side of CR 325, or take CR 318 east approximately three miles to the entrance sign.

For more information:

Call the District’s Bureau of Land Management at (386) 329-4404.