Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1979, is located along the southern edge of the Big Bend region of Florida's west coast, approximately 50 miles southwest of Gainsville. This 54,000 acre refuge is one of the largest undeveloped river delta - estuarine systems in the United States and was established to protect natural ecosystems of the Suwannee River's lower reaches and coastal marsh, as it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

The refuge can be accessed from Dixie County road 351 out of Cross City, Dixie County road 349 out of Old Town and Levy County road 347 out of Chiefland. To reach the refuge office, which is located in Levy County: from Gainesville take State Road 26 to Trenton, then Highway 129 south to Chiefland, then U.S. 19 south for 1 mile to County Road 345 south for 6 miles to County Road 347. Go west on 347 for 12 miles to the refuge sign leading to the refuge office, a good first stop for a brochure and map of the area.