Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Manager
4490 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 488
DeLeon Springs, FL 32130
(904) 985-4673

Directions: DeLeon Springs is located on US Highway 17, about halfway between DeLand (US Highway 92) and Barberville (State Road 40). Take US 17 to DeLeon Springs; then turn west on Retta Street and proceed one block; turn left (south) on Grand Avenue; proceed approximately one mile to the Refuge headquarters; or proceed directly to the Public Use Area by turning right (west) on Mud Lake Road. Take this all the way to the end where the Public Use Area parking lot is located.

Endangered & Threatened Species on the Refuge:

Endangered: Woodstork, snail kite, West Indian manatee.

Threatened Species: Bald eagle, eastern indigo snake, osprey, scrub jay.

Other Wildlife Species: Numerous wading birds, including herons, egrets, ibis, and limpkins, are regular residents. Alligators and turtles are also abundant. Deer and turkey inhabit the uplands. Raccoons are plentiful. Wood ducks are year-round residents, with blue-winged teal present during the colder months.

Habitat Description: The 2,200-acre Lake Woodruff is located at the center of the Refuge. More than 11,000 acres of marshland (primarily cordgrass and sawgrass) surrounds the perimeter of the lake. More than 5,000 acres of hardwood swamps form the transition between marsh and upland. There are 1,200 acres of upland at Lake Woodruff Refuge, primarily pine flatwoods.

Focus Activities: Wildlife observation (primarily bird watching), walking and hiking, photography, biking, wildlands observation, fishing, boating, and deer hunting by Refuge permit. During the cooler months of late fall through early spring birdwatching is at its peak as many migratory birds visit the Refuge.

Opportunities for Public Use: The Public Use Area is located at the end of Mud Lake Road, approximately one mile west of the Refuge headquarters. Visitors may utilize the dikes, which surround three impoundments totaling 445 acres. Walks of six miles or more may be planned in this area. Two walking trails wind through some wooded areas. The parking lot to this area holds approximately 30 vehicles. Portable restroom facilities are available.

This information was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.