Legend has it that the Seminole warrior Billie Bowlegs hid out in this swamp, from which the headwaters of Alexander Springs arises. 

Old-timers refer to swamps as "bays" and this one is a prime example of a pristine Florida swamp.  In the interior of this 3,092-acre swamp, red maple, loblolly bay, sweetgum, cabbage palms and loblolly pine filter the sunlight, and on the drier perimeter are longleaf pine and slash pine. A dense understory of palmetto and gallberry hides the swampy interior and discourages any attempts at bushwhacking.

Boating

• Boats can access the area along the Alexander Run, which makes for great fishing.  

Nature Viewing

• Wildlife is abundant in Billies Bay Wilderness because the swamp is simply so inaccessible. No trails lead into it, so wildlife viewing is only possible from either the Alexander Run or the Florida National Scenic Trail along the edge of the wilderness area.