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The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds, and is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses about 86,000 acres in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles of north Florida’s Gulf coast.
- Events
Events - St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish &...
- What We Do
What We Do - St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish...
- Visit Us
Visit Us - St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish &...
- Historic St. Marks Lighthouse
Eleven days later, the committee issued a report, which...
- Events
The Visitor Center at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is located at 1255 Lighthouse Road (map). It is open from 8 until 4 on weekdays and 10 until 5 on weekends—every day except Christmas Day and the phone number is 850-925-6121.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. (850) 925-6121. 1255 Lighthouse Road St. Marks, FL 32355. Driving Directions. The Refuge's Visitor Center and administrative office is located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, FL. From Tallahassee, take SR 363 (Woodville Hwy) to Wakulla. Turn left (east) on SR 267 (Bloxham Cutoff).
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is a wintering ground for migratory birds in Florida. Established in 1931, it encompasses more than 83,000 acres (336 km 2) spread between Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor Counties in the state of Florida. [1]
- Overview
- Refuge Units
- History
- Wildlife at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Hiking at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Bicycling at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Paddling at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Camping at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
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Location: St. Marks Trailhead: 30.163435, -84.155153 Address: 1255 Lighthouse Rd, St. Marks Fees: $5 vehicle, $1 bicycle or pedestrian Restrooms: at the visitor center and Tower Pond Land manager: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Phone: 850-925-6121 Open sunrise to sunset. The gate on Lighthouse Rd opens at 6 AM and closes after dark. Be alert to allig...
The refuge encompasses three separate units. Each unit has its own separate access points and trailheads, all of which are off of US 98. The directions above are for the St. Marks Unit. It is the primary unit and is the most heavily visited, thanks to its historic lighthouse and access to a broad array of hiking and multi-use trails. It is also the...
Ancient Peoples
Ancient habitation sites are an important reason why St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects this coastline. Human history runs deep along the Big Bend, with some of the earliest artwork in the Americas discovered along the Aucilla River. Shell mounds within the estuary have yielded artifacts from the Archaic Period and the Weeden Island Period. The Tower Pond Trail walks through layers of archeological deposits from four different time periods.
Civil War
Built in 1831, the St. Marks Lighthouse played an important role during the Civil War. It is a National Register property that opens on occasion for tours. During the Civil War, local families boiled seawater to make salt for Confederate troops. Remains of these salt-making operations still sit on high ground in the estuaries.
Timber and Railroads
In 1837, one of Florida’s earliest railroads, the Tallahassee to St. Marks, connected to the town of Port Leon along the Wakulla River. A bustling port, Port Leon became the county seat of Wakulla County in 1843. Six months later, both the town and the coastal portion of the railroad were wiped out by a hurricane and storm surge. Established in the early 1900s for logging the cypress and pine out of this region, the Live Oak, Perry & Gulf Railroad extended east to the logging community of Fli...
Birders find St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge a compelling destination, as it’s easy to take fabulous photographs of wading birds from the trails on the refuge levees. You’ll also see a large number of alligators. In October, the refuge celebrates the annual monarch butterfly migration. Thousands of butterflies cover blooming shrubs as they stop ...
Nature Trails
Short nature trails let you sample the habitats found along the Big Bend. All of these trails can be accessed from Lighthouse Rd. The Visitor Center has an accessible boardwalk and overlook over Plum Orchard Pond.
Primitive Trails
The Primitive Trails are a series of marked loops off Lighthouse Road that lead hikers along forest roads and levees. The Deep Creek Trail makes a 12 mile loop, while the Stoney Bayou Trail is a 6.5 mile loop. Both are excellent choices for wildlife watching and some of the best panoramas views you’ll find by foot along the Big Bend coastline. Both trails can also be biked. A portion of both the Deep Creek and Stoney Bayou Trails shares the coastal route with the Florida Trail.
The Florida Trail at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
The Florida Trail crosses all of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge east-west, providing the only backpacking experience in America within an National Wildlife Refuge. The views from this coastal section of the Florida Trail are simply outstanding. Thanks to many trailheads easily accessed from US 98, day hiking portions of the Florida Trail in the refuge is easy to do. These are segments of the Florida Trail which we describe in detail.
In both the St. Marks and Otter Lake Units, cyclists have an extensive network of forest roads and levees open to them for riding. Surfaces range from hard-packed limestone to grassy. Water does flow across some forest roads in places. Fat tires are recommended. While it does not touch the refuge itself, the 16-mile Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail ends...
Paddlers on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail follow the coastline along the refuge for 50 miles between Ochlockonee Bay and the Aucilla River. At the eastern end, kayakers can access the trail from the Lower Aucilla River launch. On the western side, the maps suggest starting from Bald Point State Park to paddle across the mo...
Nearby Camping
The refuge itself does not have a campground. However, there is a popular county park campground just across from the main gate along US 98 in Newport. Newport Park tends to get busy in the wintertime. Tents, campers, and small RVs are welcome. There is a simple bathhouse, a boat ramp leading to the St. Marks River, a boardwalk with river views, and an excellent local seafood restaurant, Outz Too, within walking distance. To reserve a site, call 850-745-7780. If Newport Park is full, the next...
Backcountry Camping
As far as we know, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is the only National Wildlife Refuge with backcountry campsites. To use them requires a special permit in advance and you must follow very specific rules for use. Campsites are located along the Florida National Scenic Trail, which crosses the entire refuge east-west. Some of these are shared with paddlers using the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. Each campsite offers benches and a fire ring. You must bring potable wat...
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See our photos of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
The Friends organization of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit volunteer group which supports the conservation, education, and preservation work of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. We work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service team to support the precious wildlife of the St. Marks refuge.
Natural salt marshes, hardwood swamps, extensive pine forests and freshwater pools provide a haven for wildlife and people. Fishing, hiking, bird watching, wildlife observation and viewing the historic St. Marks lighthouse draw visitors from around the world.
