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This 614-acre preserve was purchased in 1999 through the one
percent county sales tax and a very generous contribution from
the Jelks Family Foundation, for which the preserve is named.
The Jelks Preserve is one of the publicly-owned properties
bordering the Wild and Scenic Myakka River, forever protecting a
piece of the riverine floodplain. One can view the river at
three different locations, while relaxing in the shade of mature
live oak trees, festooned with epiphytes.
While exploring the preserve’s network of trails, visitors may
see diverse natural communities including hammocks, pine flatwoods and seasonal wetlands. Visitors can also observe
gopher tortoises, swallowtail butterflies and swallow-tailed
kites, an assortment of song birds and wildflowers, such as
Carolina jessamine and coralbean. While some trails may be cool
as they meander to the river through canopied hammocks, others
may be open and sunny as they traverse pine flatwoods.
 The preserve has more than eight miles of trails, including the
3.3 mile outer loop trail. The trails are unpaved but accessible
for most visitors. Be prepared for Florida’s often extreme
outdoor experiences by bringing water, sun block, a rain jacket
and sturdy shoes. All trail intersections are marked with
numbered trail markers. Some trails may flood after heavy
rainfall and several trails may be wet year-round at
intersections with creeks and ditches.
Preserve hours are:
7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., April through October
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
November through March
Jelks Preserve Brochure
Birds of Jelks Preserve
For more information about Jelks
Preserve, call 941-861-5000 and ask for
Natural
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