Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge

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Parks

Florida

Nearby: Wilderness Area Lake Woodruff Wilderness Alexander Springs

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is a 23,000-acre protected area located in Volusia County, Florida.

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Summary

The refuge was established in 1964 to protect waterfowl and their habitat, and it is now home to a diverse array of wildlife including alligators, manatees, otters, and over 200 species of birds.

There are several good reasons to visit Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. For birdwatchers, the refuge offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of migratory and resident bird species in their natural habitat. The area is also popular with anglers, who come to fish for bass, bluegill, and other freshwater species.

Some specific points of interest to see at the refuge include the Lake Woodruff Wilderness Area, which offers hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities, and the Lyonia Environmental Center, which features exhibits and educational programs about the local ecosystem.

Interesting facts about Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge include that it is one of the largest remaining freshwater marshes in Florida, and that it is home to the endangered Florida scrub jay.

The best time of year to visit Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge depends on what you want to see and do. For birdwatchers, the winter months (November-February) are the best time to see migratory species. Anglers may have the most success in the spring and fall, when the water temperatures are moderate and the fish are active. However, the refuge is open year-round and there is always something to see and do regardless of the season.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.

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