Lyonia Preserve

"Lyonia Preserve and the Lyonia Environmental Center are a rare treasure in an otherwise developed area of Central Florida. It is one of the very best places to see and learn about the Florida Scrub Jay. There are three hiking trails with the longest (Blue trail) lasting a little over 2 miles. Despite not being maintained with prescribed fire (which is the most ideal scenario for the Scrub habitat and the resident Scrub Jays), there are patches of excellent quality Scrub throughout the preserve. It’s definitely best to visit during cooler weather because of the elevation changes, limited to no shade, and sugar sand that can be quite a workout to tread through. There is one stretch of the Blue trail that seems to be maintained by roller chopping and other land clearing. This preserve would be best served by having a prescribed fire, so hopefully the land manager will work this in in the future. The mechanical treatment honestly looks a bit disturbing, like a forest cleared by the hexas monster in Fern Gully or something. You miss out on the gorgeous black line of a burn here that you would be able to see in parks managed with fire (the most desirable scenario). There are excellent restrooms in the Lyonia Environmental Center (as well as the regional library next door that often has longer hours), which you pass to enter the trails. If you are there when the LEC is open, you *must* stop inside! There are interesting science exhibits and animal ambassadors. The staff and volunteers are beyond incredible. There is even some great Lyonia merch and incredibly priced handmade rain barrels you can purchase there! They have lots of events from a photography club to wildlife hikes to children’s activities. Definitely give the @LECfriends Instagram/Facebook social media page a follow, too!!"

"When I got there, it was raining, so it felt like I was in a wild rainforest. The view was so remarkable and ethereal. I think this is my favorite hiking in all of America so far. Though I may never come here since I live 17 hours away from here. But I will never forget this beautiful and heavenly place and views. Love this place. It was so quiet and peaceful. There are so many rare birds other people might not see in their whole lives. It was my first time seeing a bluebird, and before that, I thought that it was just a myth. We found it, the Florida Scrub Jays! I was just walking when a blue bird sat on my head! I was so shocked! Then, I saw a whole bunch of them surrounding me. This was like a dream! They are so beautiful!"

"There is a library attached to a nature center with live animals and nature trails. They have homeschool programs and other stuff for kids as well. From what I can tell on Google maps, one of the directions is wrong and leads to a dead end, and the other one is the correct way to get there. It's clean inside and the ladies are very friendly and helpful. There is a picnic area not far down one of the trails. I will be visiting again."

"The nature center is interactive and educational. The trails are not shaded and mostly like dune sand. There are a good amount of hills and one area was flooded and we could not traverse. Long hike, trails clearly marked if you want to stay on red trail for example it is marked. Plenty of scrub jays if you listen for them you can easily see several."