Reedy Creek - Big Oak, Umbrella, and Dragonfly Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop pieces together portions of the Umbrella Tree Trail, the Big Oak Trail, and the Dragonfly Pond Trail for an easy loop that can readily be shortened or lengthened. All the trails in the park are well-marked with color-coded symbols and easy to follow. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and the adjacent Reedy Creek Park have a combined network of trails, a Nature Center and educational offerings, ponds and creeks, a playground, a disc golf course, sports fields, a dog park, and picnic areas and shelters.

Park at any of the lots near the Reedy Creek Nature Center, then head towards the Nature Center. Stop to peruse the exhibits and interpretive sites to learn about the preserve and all its inhabitants. Continue south, past the Nature Center, to the beginning of the Umbrella Tree Trail. Follow the Umbrella Tree Trail for just over 0.1 miles to the junction with the Big Oak Trail. Turn right to hike the the Big Oak Trail which will join the Umbrella Tree Trail again after 1.2 miles. Turn right to stay on the Umbrella Tree Trail, and follow it until the connector to the Dragonfly Pond Trail. The 1.0 mile Dragonfly Pond Trail will pass by Dragonfly Pond and then end at the Nature Center parking area, finishing the loop.

The trails are all gently rolling and are generally smooth, except for some rocks and roots. Mud is likely following recent rains. Because all the trails are interconnected, it's easy to link together more trails for a longer hike (consider taking the South Fork Trail to the Sierra Loop Trail to the Sassafras Trail for an additional 2.0 miles or so before connecting back to the Dragonfly Pond Trail), or to cut off a loop or two to make the route shorter.

Though it is primarily forested, there are many streams and small lakes in Reedy Creek Nature Preserve making it a fantastic place to spot many types of birds and other wildlife. The Reedy Creek Nature Center has exhibits and living animals visitors can interact with. There are interpretive trails around the center for self-guided learning.

Fishing (with a license) is allowed in Dragonfly and Slider Ponds.