Hike of the Month - Geneva Wilderness Area

📅 Thursday, May 15, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Geneva Wilderness Area
3485 N County Road 426, Geneva, FL 32732
🚶‍♂️ Distance: 1.5 miles (loop)
🌞 Conditions: Limited shade – it will likely be hot. BRING WATER!
👟 Difficulty: Leisurely pace, some uneven/muddy terrain possible

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## Join us for a scenic hike through one of Seminole County’s hidden gems!

Formerly a Boy Scout camp, Geneva Wilderness Area was acquired by Seminole County in 1994—the same year neighboring Little Big Econ State Forest was created. This protected natural area features a mix of habitats including oak scrub, pine flatwoods, and baygall swamp, offering a short but diverse hiking experience.
The 1.5-mile loop trail begins at a sandy trailhead on the northwest side of the property and leads past blooming tarflowers, scenic pond views, and quiet stretches of wetlands. Along the way, a dock extends out over a prairie pond filled with water lilies and carnivorous bladderworts—a perfect spot for a pause and some nature-watching.
⚠️ Note: Parts of the loop may be muddy or flooded after recent rains.
Along the way, we’ll pass the Ed and Imogene Yarborough Nature Center, a reserved-use facility for environmental education that is rarely open to the public.

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### 🍽 Stay for the Cookout!

After the hike, we invite you to stick around for our Annual FTA End-of-Season Cookout/Potluck, starting at 6:30 PM at the Geneva Wilderness Area pavilion—just steps away from the trailhead! We’ll be grilling burgers and hot dogs and would love for you to join us.
👉 Annual Meeting Sign-Up
📝 Please let us know what you’re bringing:
👉 Perfect Potluck Sign-Up

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### 🧭 Directions & Parking

Use the address above or search “Geneva Wilderness Area” in Google Maps. Follow the signs to the Ed Yarborough Nature Center and park in the gravel lot. The trailhead is a short walk from there.
A gate code may be required to attend the cookout afterwards—we’ll message all RSVP’d attendees on the day of the event if needed.

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Bring plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes, and prepare for a warm afternoon on the trail. All are welcome—we hope to see you there for a beautiful hike and a fun-filled evening! 🌲🔥🥗