Red Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

It would be best to avoid this trail during the rainy season (May-October), when the preserve is essentially flooded. It was still mostly flooded in December. If the Prairie Pines Preserve hiking trail from the parking lot to the Yellow Trail is flooded, assume this trail will be, as well.

The Red Trail follows the perimeter of Prairie Pines Preserve and is accessed by taking the Prairie Pines Preserve trail to the Yellow Trail. The doubletrack is primarily grass and sandy soil, with an old gravel service road in the southeastern section.

The northeastern end of the trail parallels a railroad. The trail is mown "seasonally," which means in places the grass will be tall. Expect portions of the trail to be wet or partially submerged, from ankle to thigh deep. The trail is mostly well-marked with red markings at the top of steel poles.

Watch closely for the markers to make sure you are on track, since there are some areas that appear to be trails, but aren't (old canals and game trails). There are the Orange Trail, Purple Trail, and White Trail connectors you can take if you want to shorten your trek.

Pines, palms, grasses, birds, deer. Unknown if there are alligators, but you should assume there may be some out there.