Swamp Forest Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Gate A Equestrian Entrance is the closest trailhead. Large and maintained porta-potty at the trailhead. EKP Park is a site (#66) on the Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT). Mountain Bike Trails, Horse Trails, Hiking Trails, Shared-Use Trails, Red Hills International Horse Trials (March), Bluebird & Butterfly Trails, Wildlife Viewing, and Parking.

The trail overlaps the Coon Bottom Loop for a bit, runs next to a seepage basin swamp and a profusion of ferns, passes ephemeral ponds, and a Beech-Magnolia forest. At R, a trail connects to the shared-use trails at Road Marker 29. The trail to the left is the east end of the Big Tree Cutoff. Then the trail forms a large horseshoe turn, going around the Swamp Forest for which this loop is named. In wet times, water can be seen seeping out of the bank at the top end of the 'horseshoe.' The trail passes the turnoff to Creek Forest Trail at G, climbs steeply to a drier upland area, and finally around the edge of a large drainage basin.

One of the best places in town to find mushrooms! Mosquitos can get moderately tedious, so pack insect repellant. Keep an eye out for poison oak and poison ivy if you leave the trail.