Barr Hammock Preserve - Levy Loop

Levy Loop Hiking Trail – Maps and Information

Hiking Levy Loop Trail at Barr Hammock Preserve
Alachua County
Micanopy, Florida
Entry Fee: None
Traffic: Light-Moderate

Hiking Trail Map, Levy Loop at Barr Hammock Preserve

PDF Trail Map ^
Interactive Trail Map at AllTrails >

True to it’s name, the Levy Loop Hiking Trail is a 6.5 mile loop encircling a restored marsh near Micanopy, Florida. And what an amazing, flat hiking trail this is! Along with views of the marsh replete with frog and bird calls, you are bound to spot an abundance of wildlife.

American Alligator – Alligator mississippiensis

I first visited in early June and sighted deer, alligators, white ibises, great egrets, great blue herons, American coots, common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and a water moccasin. Since there is no barrier to the marsh and the levy slopes quickly towards it, you have to exercise some sense and caution.

Abundant Wildlife

In fact, an alligator started growling very near me when I stopped to fiddle with my camera. It is a very threatening sound, and although likely a mating call (I heard another alligator answer from further away) I did not hang around that spot to find out. Moving quickly away, I nearly stepped on a water moccasin which fortunately scooted away into the water.

For these reasons, no dogs are permitted on the trail. You can however bike there, and the width of the trail and the hard earth make it an ideal biking spot. I preferred to hike instead since there is so much to see in terms of wildlife not to mention an abundance of flowers. The width and maintenance of the trail also kept ticks and other biting insects to a very rare minimum.