Longleaf Pine Preserve

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Longleaf Pine Preserve
3736 E New York Ave 32724

Description
Longleaf Pine Preserve consists of approximately 12,000 acres including several large land acquisitions purchased using funds from Volusia Forever and through cooperative efforts with St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the City of Port Orange. The primary goal for acquiring this conservation land is to provide a large expanse of habitat for wildlife, natural resource conservation and recreation. The preserve includes several natural communities, including mesic and wet flatwoods, cypress strands, cypress domes and scrub.

Longleaf Pine Preserve is off S.R. 44 and has two entrances. The west entrance is on S.R. 44, approximately 2.5 miles east of the Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand. The east entrance is off of Pioneer Trail. There are two marked trails on Longleaf Pine Preserve.
Driving directions

The red trail is a six-mile loop that begins and ends at the west entrance of the preserve. Along this trail, visitors may see mesic flatwoods, which are characterized by longleaf pine and slash pine and an understory dominated by saw palmetto and wiregrass. Cypress domes may be recognized along the red trail and throughout the site by the dome-like appearance of their pond cypress tree line. Cypress strands - elongated areas of cypress tree communities - also can be seen in the distance.

Click here for large printable map

The blue trail is approximately 11 miles and extends from the west entrance to the east entrance. The east end of the blue trail traverses through wet flatwoods with an overstory of slash pine and an understory of saw palmetto, gallberry and seasonal wildflowers. The central portion of the blue trail winds through cypress strand swamp. The absence of tall cypress in the central portion is due to heavy logging.

The blue and red marked trails are open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Portions of the trail are subject to flooding - some areas possibly more than two feet. Although use of the trail when flooded may not be for everyone, traversing this natural site under wet conditions provides an opportunity to observe and experience the character of Florida's vital wet habitats.

Wildlife along the trail may include sandhill crane, great blue heron, river otter, bobcat, coyote, fox, deer, black bear and alligator.

The trails are long with little shade. Visitors should bring water to drink.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Longleaf Pine Preserve.

Driving Directions

To Longleaf Pine Preserve – East Gate:

From I-95 take S.R. 44 (exit 249b) and go west approximately 8.5 miles. On the north side of SR44, take a right onto Pioneer Tr. and travel approximately ¼ mile and turn left into the east gate of Longleaf Pine Preserve.
From I-4 take S.R. 44 (exit 118) and go east (past the western Longleaf Pine Preserve entrance) approximately 6.5 miles. On the north side of SR44, take a left onto Pioneer Tr. and travel approximately ¼ mile and turn left into the east gate of Longleaf Pine Preserve.

To Longleaf Pine Preserve – West Gate:

From I-95 take S.R. 44 (exit 249b) and go west approximately 12 miles and turn right into the west gate of Longleaf Pine Preserve.
From I-4 take S.R. 44 (exit 118) and go east approximately 3 miles and turn left into the west gate of Longleaf Pine Preserve.