Discovering the Natural Beauty of the University of North Florida Nature Trails
The University of North Florida (UNF) boasts over 500 acres of natural Florida wildlands, offering a unique blend of academic pursuits and environmental preservation. Established on nearly 1,400 acres of former hardwood forest, the university's campus serves as a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary, providing a haven for diverse plant and animal species. The UNF Nature Trails, a network of pathways winding through this natural landscape, provide an opportunity for both the university and community members to immerse themselves in the beauty of wild Florida.
A Legacy of Conservation
The land on which UNF was founded had been largely cleared of old-growth forest due to two centuries of logging, giving way to the scrub pine and lowland wetlands that characterize the campus today. Recognizing the importance of preserving the remaining natural areas, UNF's founding President, Thomas G. Carpenter, designated the campus as a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary in 1973, protecting local wildlife from hunting.
Construction of the nature trails began in the early 1970s, repurposing original logging roads and footpaths as the blueprint for the trail system. Physical Facilities and campus volunteers collaborated to create a trail system that would provide access to Jacksonville's natural lands, promoting environmental education, research, and low-impact recreation.
In 1977, the trails were recognized as National Recreation Trails, listed by the Department of the Interior.
Honoring Key Figures in UNF's Natural History
Many individuals have played a crucial role in the preservation and restoration of UNF's natural lands. Among them, several figures stand out for their exceptional dedication:
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- Dr. Robert Loftin: A UNF professor of philosophy and ornithology, Dr. Loftin founded the Sawmill Slough Conservation Club in 1973 and served as its advisor. The Robert W. Loftin Nature Trails are named in his honor, preserving his legacy while protecting over 500 acres of natural habitat.
- Chief Ranger John Golden: As the lead UNF Ranger and former president of the Sawmill Slough Conservation Club, John Golden contributed significantly to educational and outreach efforts and maintained the campus trail system for over 20 years. The John M. Golden Education Pavilion was dedicated in his honor on April 11, 2008.
The contributions of these individuals, along with the efforts of the Sawmill Slough Conservation Club, UNF faculty, staff, and community members, have shaped the UNF Nature Trails into a valuable resource for environmental education and recreation.
Exploring the Trails
Today, five miles of the original 12 miles of nature trails remain accessible for hiking, featuring educational signage and maintained for environmental education, research, and low-impact recreation. The best way to explore the Sawmill Slough Preserve is by walking, hiking, or running the Robert W. Story Maps created by students from the Environmental Center, with assistance from staff and faculty, provide information on each of the five named trails.
The trails traverse a variety of habitats, showcasing the diverse ecosystems found on the UNF campus:
- Goldenrod Trail: The longest trail on UNF campus, measuring 2.85 miles, traverses a range of habitats, including swamp, sandhill, flatwoods, and seepage slope. The single-track trail is named for the goldenrod flowers that bloom in the fall, providing good cover for birding and occupying a transition zone between swamp and sandhill.
- Blueberry Trail: This 1.44-mile trail meanders around Lake Oneida, through pine flatwoods and the deep swamp, overlapping the Goldenrod Trail at times. The trail derives its name from the abundant blueberries found along the trail, which in turn feed the local population of deer and birds.
- Gopher Tortoise Ridge: This 0.78-mile sandy trail is home to a healthy gopher tortoise population.
- Big Cypress Trail: Connecting the Goldenrod and Blueberry Trails, this 0.47-mile loop passes by one of the grandfather cypress trees that lives on campus. The highlight of this trail is the "Big Cypress," which is estimated to be over 600 years old.
- Red Maple Boardwalk: This 0.31-mile trail, the shortest at UNF, underwent a recent renovation. Interpretive signs guide visitors and sitting areas offer a place to rest and take in the scenery.
A Detailed Look at a 4-Mile Loop
A popular route for exploring the UNF Nature Trails involves a 4-mile loop that combines several of the trails, showcasing the diversity of the preserve.
- Red Maple Boardwalk: Starting at the nature center, access the Red Maple Trail (boardwalk, blazed red). Continue past the canoe launch and an interpretive sign on pitcher plants, following the boardwalk along the edge of Lake Oneida. After 0.2 miles, a bridge crosses over to an island in the lake, offering a peaceful, open area to explore. Cross the bridge again and turn left to continue along the trail beneath the shade of slash pines and loblolly bay. The boardwalk ends at 0.5 miles.
- Blueberry/Goldenrod Trails: Continue down the narrow corridor, noting the native spatterdock covering the end of Lake Oneida. At the intersection at Marker 51, turn left to follow the Blueberry/Goldenrod Trails, which will take you around the trail system's perimeter. Along this stretch of trail, Lake Oneida is to your left, while to your right is a swampy floodplain forest, rich with wax myrtle and ferns. Look closely for the bases of ancient cypresses that were logged out long ago, and keep an eye out for alligators.
- Goldenrod Trail: Past Marker 46, at 0.7 miles, the Blueberry Trail continues straight ahead while the Goldenrod Trail turns right. Continue on the Goldenrod Trail to enter Sawmill Slough, the heart of the floodplain forest. The next trail junction is the Gopher Tortoise Ridge Trail. The Goldenrod Trail makes a left. Continue straight to follow the new trail. It continues as a broad path facing the intersection of Interstate 275. The trail makes a sharp jog to the left, paralleling the highway.
- Gopher Tortoise Ridge Trail: As the elevation increases, the habitat yields to sandhills dominated with longleaf pine and turkey oak. Gopher tortoise burrows are being studied here. Look for little flags that indicate the burrows. At Marker 39 is a small shelter. Passing Marker 37, you'll see an unmarked cross trail to the left, which leads back to the Goldenrod Trail.
- Goldenrod Trail (Return): After 1.3 miles is reach a large pond. The longleaf pines are older here, and well-clustered together. The trail comes up to a marker. Turn left, around and away from the pond. At Marker 23 is the junction of the Goldenrod and Gopher Tortoise Trails. Turn left to follow the Goldenrod Trail. The Goldenrod Trail follows the ecotone between sandhills above and slough below. A tiny patch of scrub hosts Chapman oak and sand live oak near Marker 26, yielding to scrubby flatwoods beneath the longleaf pines. The footpath emerges at the original Gopher Tortoise/Goldenrod intersection after 2.4 miles. Turn right to cross back through Sawmill Slough.
- Blueberry Trail (Return): On the far side of Sawmill Slough, you're back at the T intersection along Lake Oneida. Turn right to walk along the Blueberry Trail, enjoying the lake views. At 2.6 miles, the trail meets the Red Maple Boardwalk.
- Big Cypress Loop: Turn right, away from the boardwalk, to head down to the Big Cypress Loop. At Marker 64, the Goldenrod and Blueberry Trails meet again. Continue straight ahead on the Goldenrod Trail. At 3 miles, the Big Cypress Loop comes into view at a bench. Turn left to wander through the shady pine forest. Watch for a side trail on the right, where a yellow marker points you to the edge of the slough, for a nice view. The trail pulls away from the slough and continues uphill, to a second side trail at 3.3 miles. That trail leads to the big cypress. Returning to the main trail, turn right. You soon exit onto the Blueberry Trail.
- Red Maple Swamp Boardwalk (Return): Make a left, and at the T intersection with the Goldenrod Trail, turn right. After a short walk down the corridor, make a right again at Marker 69 to walk the Red Maple Swamp Boardwalk. You're now at the most popular spot in the sanctuary, with lake views to the left and massive cypresses in the swamp to your right. At 3.8 miles, turn right at a junction in the boardwalk to take a short interpretive loop. At the end of the loop, turn right to reach the observation deck on Lake Oneida. Continue past it to exit the trail system, making a right at the nature center to return to the parking lot for a 4-mile hike.
Visitor Information
The University of North Florida Nature Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
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Location: Jacksonville
Address: UNF Drive, Jacksonville
Fees: A $5 parking permit is required on weekdays and during special event weekends. Permits can be obtained online or at Parking Services (Building 52).
Restroom: Available at the nature center at the trailhead.
Land manager: University of North Florida
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Phone: 904-620-2800 (campus police)
Regulations:
- No bicycles or dogs are permitted.
- Walk in pairs for safety.
- Do not collect plants or wildlife.
- Catch and release fishing is permitted with an FWC freshwater fishing license.
- Kayaks are available (check at the nature center).
Accessibility: The Red Maple Boardwalk is accessible.
Activities and Amenities
The UNF Nature Trails offer a variety of activities and amenities for visitors:
- Hiking and Trail Running: The well-maintained and well-marked trails cater to a variety of abilities, making them ideal for both casual walks and more challenging hikes.
- Wildlife Viewing: The preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including turtles, alligators, birds, and more.
- Photography: The beautiful scenery provides ample opportunities for photography.
- Picnics: Picnic areas are available by the lake.
- Zip-lining and Kayaking: Zip-lining and kayak access are available, but it is best to call ahead for more information.
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