The Complete Guide to Exploring Weekiwachee Preserve

Have you wondered if Weekiwachee Preserve is worth a visit? A former quarry turned nature preserve, Weekiwachee Preserve provides a completely different experience than Weekiwachee State Park or the Weeki Wachee River. Here, we explore the nature preserve, learn its history, and help you decide if it’s worth a visit for you.

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About Weekiwacheee Preserve

Weekiwachee Preserve is a nature preserve on Florida’s Nature Coast near Spring Hill and Weeki Wachee. Not to be confused with Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, this nature preserve encompasses more than 11,000 acres. When combined with other public lands (Weeki Wachee State Park and Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, for example) to the north and northeast, these protected lands are home to the largest Florida black bear population on the peninsular Florida Gulf Coast.

The Preserve includes a former limestone quarry, several miles along the Weeki Wachee River, portions of the Mud River, and a number of ecosystems. Several miles of hiking and biking trails are found in the Preserve south of the Weeki Wachee River with three trailheads for access. Though boating and swimming are allowed in other parts of the Preserve, they are not allowed on the quarry lakes found at the main entrance.

• Main Entrance: 2345 Osowaw Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Fee: Free
• Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
• Gates open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month for cars to drive to the end of the road inside the Preserve.
• Facilities: Picnic tables, an ADA-compliant porta-potty, no potable water or electricity
• Dog friendly: Yes

History of Weekiwachee Preserve

In 1981, W.L. Cobb Construction Company purchased the land that would become Weekiwachee Preserve and began limestone mining operations. There isn’t much public information about the mining operation so I’m unsure if Cobb carried out the mining or if the land was leased to another company. However, for the next 13 years, lime was mined which resulted in several large, deep pits totaling 950 acres.

In 1994, the property surrounding the mining operation encompassed thousands of acres of overgrown scrub, swampy muck, and damaged land. It was slated to become a residential neighborhood with 12,000 housing units, lakefront property, and a regional mall. Southwest Florida Water Management District purchased the property in 1995 and began conservation efforts

Scientists, volunteers, and staff spent several years combating invasive plant species through a variety of ways. They performed controlled burns every couple of years, planted native plants, and built littoral shelves along the banks of the pits for shallow water plant species. Small islands were built in the pits to attract wading birds. The pits filled with water, native plants and trees took over, and the wildlife began to return to Weekiwachee Preserve.

Today, the Preserve provides a rich mosaic of habitats which has become the fabric for the Nature Coast’s reputation. The quarry lakes attract river otters, alligators, sandhill cranes, the endangered scrub jay, and more. They have become a major bird roosting site and, together with the surrounding forest, a refuge for Florida’s wildlife.

Things to Do at Weekiwachee Preserve

For our purposes here, things to do at Weekiwachee Preserve include only those activities allowed around the quarry lakes. Though SWFWMD’s website states that boating is allowed in Weekiwachee Preserve, it is NOT permitted on the quarry lakes. Nor is swimming. There are, however, plenty of other things to do in the Preserve.

Hiking

Weekiwachee Preserve offers approximately 10 miles of hiking trails. There are 5.5 miles of paved and unpaved trails. Additionally, hikers have access to another 4.3 acres of scenic forest roads.

On the day I visited Weekiwachee Preserve, my 19 year old son made a rare appearance with me. We started at the main entrance where the unpaved parking lot was filled with cars despite the early hour. We had eaten breakfast at Silver Dolphin Restaurant when it opened at 7:30 then came straight to the Preserve, putting us there around 8:30 or 9.

The main road stretches for nearly a mile from the main gate to quarry lakes at the end. Near the gate, the surrounding landscape appears forested and probably somewhat wet, similar to the hydric hammock ecosystem found around many of the creeks and streams in this part of Florida.

The forest gave way to upland scrub where muhly grass and saw palmettos dominate the landscape. The golden color of the grasses contrasted with the bright blue sky and deep blue of the lakes. It’s a monotonous landscape for some and one which offers little shade.

We made our way to the end of the main road then walked along one of the lakes for a bit before making our way back to the parking lot. In all, we probably walked only a couple of miles. Hiking for several miles was not in our plans that day so we were not prepared with proper shoes and water. I definitely plan to return, though, to explore several miles, perhaps from one of the other trailheads. The Preserve can be accessed also from a small parking lot on Shoal Line Road or from Linda Pedersen Park.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed at Weekiwachee Preserve. Occasionally, large mouth bass are caught in the lakes though the most common catch is the sunfish. A fishing license is required for angling in the Preserve. Also, the lake banks are often unstable and crumbly so care should be taken to not fall in.

Wildlife Viewing

As mentioned before, Weekiwachee Preserve has become an important roosting site for birds. Increased nesting activity has also been noted. On our brief visit, we saw sandhill cranes, herons, minnows, an osprey, and a millipede.

Though the Preserve is best known for its black bear population, they are rarely sighted. For the best birding opportunities, check the shoreline around the lakes or the forested regions. Likewise for land animals – stick to the forested regions of the Preserve.

Offroad Cycling

All of the hiking trails are open to cyclists as well. Expect hard limestone to ride on as well as some sandy trails. We saw several cyclists when we were there, and others arriving as we left. Even if offroad cycling isn’t your thing, the paved road to the quarry lakes means anyone who can’t walk that far but can ride a bike has access to some parts of the park.

Near Weekiwachee Preserve

Weekiwachee Preserve sits just off US Highway 19 in Spring Hill. In this location, there are many other things to do in the vicinity. Known as the Nature Coast, there are plenty of parks and outdoorsy activities. Spring Hill offers a number of hotels, and there are many good restaurants in the area.

Things to Do

The main attraction near Weekiwachee Preserve remains Weeki Wachee Springs State Park where visitors can see the world-famous mermaids, enjoy Buccaneer Bay, or rent kayaks to paddle down the Weeki Wachee River. Spring Hill is also home to a small but enchanting botanical garden, Nature Coast Botanical Garden. Try SunWest Park, which is also a transformed former limestone quarry, for a freshwater water park with wakeboarding, kayaking, a beach, and more.

If you prefer nature-based activities like hiking, try nearby Aripeka Sandhills Preserve, Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, and Crews Lake Wilderness Park.

Restaurants

Though one can find fast food joint and franchise restaurants along US Highway 19, there are also many good restaurants which are locally owned. Our favorite for breakfast is Silver Dolphin Restaurant, a waterfront place in Hernando Beach. For happy hours and/or dinner, try Bayport Inn, another waterfront restaurant. Other good places to try are Breakfast Station #4, Nouvelle Cuisine, and Thousand Island Cafe.

Hotels

My favorite places to stay in the Weeki Wachee area are waterfront vacation rentals. If you’re going to visit a beautiful area filled with nature, it makes sense to surround yourself with as much of it as possible.

However, if you prefer a hotel, try the Hampton Inn Spring Hill or the Holiday Inn Express Spring Hill.

Final Thoughts: Weekiwachee Preserve

Weekiwachee Preserve is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves nature and adventure. Whether you want to hike, bike, or just relax, you will find something to enjoy in this beautiful and diverse area. You will also get to see some amazing wildlife, such as rabbits, birds, and maybe even a black bear. Weekiwachee Preserve is a treasure of Florida’s Nature Coast that you don’t want to miss!