Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area is a unique area located in the state of Florida that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and natural beauty.
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Summary
The area spans over 7,000 acres and is home to various animals, such as alligators, bobcats, and white-tailed deer.
Some good reasons to visit Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area include hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, and wildlife viewing. The area has several trails, including the 1.5-mile Hammock Trail, which takes visitors through a dense forest canopy. Fishing is popular in the area, with various species of fish, including bass, bream, and catfish available. Hunting is also permitted in the area, with seasons for deer, turkey, and small game.
Some specific points of interest to see in the area include the historic Kirkpatrick Dam, which was built in 1890 to provide power to the nearby town of Satsuma. The area is also home to several natural springs, such as the Blue Hole Spring and the Orange Grove Sink, which offer crystal clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it is home to several endangered species, such as the gopher tortoise and the Florida scrub-jay. The area was also once home to the Timucua Indians, who used the land for hunting and fishing.
The best time of year to visit Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area is during the fall and winter months when the temperatures are more comfortable and the wildlife is more active. It is important to note that some parts of the area may be closed during hunting season for safety reasons. It is recommended to check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for current regulations and information before visiting.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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