Gator Lake Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail leads from a small parking area to the intersection with the Pine Beach Trail. Although it is relatively short, don't underestimate how strenuous this hike can be. It is very soft sand, so it is a hard slog. Also, in the summer, it will be extremely hot. There is no shade, and even some of the breeze is blocked by the dunes.

What is amazing about this place is the fact that you are getting to see what the natural dunes look like up close. There are lots of native beach shrubs like the beach rosemary and a few stunted live oaks and sand pines. There is some prickly pear cactus and a lot of herbaceous beach plants like beach morning glory and seaside oxeye daisy. This is a rare habitat now due to all of the development along the gulf coast, so this is a special place.