General Information
Each trout lily flower opens in late morning or early afternoon, follows the sun, and closes at dusk, so to see the open flowers go in the afternoon. If it is raining heavily or very dark and cloudy in the morning, the flowers may stay closed into the afternoon, but if the sun comes out later in the afternoon, they may open then. Each individual flower re-opens for several days, with overall numbers of flowers in bloom beginning gradually, increasing, peaking, then declining over the course of a few weeks. Depending on the winter weather the overall bloom may be anywhere from three or four weeks long, usually encompassing mid-February, rarely into March. Once the bloom has finished for the year any remaining guided tours will be cancelled and the gate locked will be locked. Once the season ends access to the property is permitted only in the following circumstances
The trout lilies grow on a slope, so visitors need to wear boots or shoes WITH TREADS that may get damp or muddy. Bring a walking stick if desired. Some sparkleberrry walking sticks are provided for visitor use during your time at the preserve and you can purchase one with a donation. The trails may be slippery when wet, please proceed with caution.
Cameras are highly recommended! Please take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. You may want to bring a hand lens or magnifying glass to look at the tiny twayblade orchids or small parts of other flowers. You can actually take photos through these lenses, if you don't have a close-up camera lens.
Unfortunately there is no access for people with significantly limited mobility who cannot complete a walk of several hundred yards on a slope. If you have minor limitations, be sure to come on a day when the ground will be dry, come with an able-bodied companion and bring a walking stick or cane. You probably will want to stay on the wider trail to the best views or walk along the upper trail. We have had very happy 90+ year old visitors, but only you can decide what is best for you.
There is a parking area inside the gate. Vehicles used by visitors (cars, trucks, four-wheelers, bicycles, motorcycles, etc) are not allowed on the property beyond the designated parking area. Limited use of vehicles beyond the designated parking area by volunteers are permitted for the purposes of trail maintenance and parking access.
Visitors are asked to sign in with the volunteer greeters or at the kiosk. There are laminated maps to use while you are there and color brochures that you may take if you want one to keep or share. (You can also find/print a copy from the link here.) Then proceed downhill to the slope. For a short walk to the best views, go straight down on the wide trail and come back the same way. Other trails are marked for those who want to enjoy a longer walk.You can make a large loop by continuing from the best views onto the lower trail, which carries you to a lovely view of Wolf Creek, then continue uphill and exit out the driveway. Or turn right onto the upper trail, with overlook views and tiny twayblade orchids, and come out as you came in. Or as you leave the parking area, proceed down the big trail and soon turn right onto the upper trail, making the loop counter-clockwise. There is also The Orchid Loop off of the big trail to the left as you go down slope, which wanders thru an area with two other species of orchid plants (not blooming) and other interesting habitats and plants not found on the main loop. The orchid loop comes out at the bottom of the best view area.
The lower trail wanders through shrubbery, so if you want to stay on a more established trail, we recommend you turn around at the bottom of the western side trail (where there are the best views). On the upper trail (where there are good overviews) you can go back or exit to the road to the parking area rather than continuing down slope.
You may also walk south of the parking area towards Trillium Creek in a fairly open area with some large patches of trillium and rain lilies (not blooming yet), but no trout lilies. The small creek is quite delightful, and this is a very quiet and peaceful area. This would be a nice area to walk in if you want to come late morning while you wait for the trout lilies to open for the day.
More people come on the weekends, so if you can come weekdays, it will be less likely to be crowded.
Each trout lily flower opens in late morning or early afternoon, follows the sun, and closes at dusk, so to see the open flowers go in the afternoon. If it is raining heavily or very dark and cloudy in the morning, the flowers may stay closed into the afternoon, but if the sun comes out later in the afternoon, they may open then. Each individual flower re-opens for several days, with overall numbers of flowers in bloom beginning gradually, increasing, peaking, then declining over the course of a few weeks. Depending on the winter weather the overall bloom may be anywhere from three or four weeks long, usually encompassing mid-February, rarely into March. Once the bloom has finished for the year any remaining guided tours will be cancelled and the gate locked will be locked. Once the season ends access to the property is permitted only in the following circumstances
- Invasive plant removal work days
- Announced planned activities
- Approved visitor request. Please email Beth Grant at bethgrant@bellsouth.net if you have a request for access.
The trout lilies grow on a slope, so visitors need to wear boots or shoes WITH TREADS that may get damp or muddy. Bring a walking stick if desired. Some sparkleberrry walking sticks are provided for visitor use during your time at the preserve and you can purchase one with a donation. The trails may be slippery when wet, please proceed with caution.
Cameras are highly recommended! Please take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. You may want to bring a hand lens or magnifying glass to look at the tiny twayblade orchids or small parts of other flowers. You can actually take photos through these lenses, if you don't have a close-up camera lens.
Unfortunately there is no access for people with significantly limited mobility who cannot complete a walk of several hundred yards on a slope. If you have minor limitations, be sure to come on a day when the ground will be dry, come with an able-bodied companion and bring a walking stick or cane. You probably will want to stay on the wider trail to the best views or walk along the upper trail. We have had very happy 90+ year old visitors, but only you can decide what is best for you.
There is a parking area inside the gate. Vehicles used by visitors (cars, trucks, four-wheelers, bicycles, motorcycles, etc) are not allowed on the property beyond the designated parking area. Limited use of vehicles beyond the designated parking area by volunteers are permitted for the purposes of trail maintenance and parking access.
Visitors are asked to sign in with the volunteer greeters or at the kiosk. There are laminated maps to use while you are there and color brochures that you may take if you want one to keep or share. (You can also find/print a copy from the link here.) Then proceed downhill to the slope. For a short walk to the best views, go straight down on the wide trail and come back the same way. Other trails are marked for those who want to enjoy a longer walk.You can make a large loop by continuing from the best views onto the lower trail, which carries you to a lovely view of Wolf Creek, then continue uphill and exit out the driveway. Or turn right onto the upper trail, with overlook views and tiny twayblade orchids, and come out as you came in. Or as you leave the parking area, proceed down the big trail and soon turn right onto the upper trail, making the loop counter-clockwise. There is also The Orchid Loop off of the big trail to the left as you go down slope, which wanders thru an area with two other species of orchid plants (not blooming) and other interesting habitats and plants not found on the main loop. The orchid loop comes out at the bottom of the best view area.
The lower trail wanders through shrubbery, so if you want to stay on a more established trail, we recommend you turn around at the bottom of the western side trail (where there are the best views). On the upper trail (where there are good overviews) you can go back or exit to the road to the parking area rather than continuing down slope.
You may also walk south of the parking area towards Trillium Creek in a fairly open area with some large patches of trillium and rain lilies (not blooming yet), but no trout lilies. The small creek is quite delightful, and this is a very quiet and peaceful area. This would be a nice area to walk in if you want to come late morning while you wait for the trout lilies to open for the day.
More people come on the weekends, so if you can come weekdays, it will be less likely to be crowded.
The following items ARE PROHIBITED at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve
- Removal of Plants
- Cutting of any plants
- Fires
- Trash
- Pets (other than Service Animals)
- Hunting
2020 Guided Tour Information
The preserve gates will open approximately the first week of February and remain open through early March. The opening and bloom season is dependent upon the trout lily's emergence. Please check the schedule before coming as it is constantly being updated. You are welcome to visit the Trout Lily Preserve anytime between sunrise and sunset, however it is suggested that you visit in the afternoon as that is normally when the lilies are open. Since the blooms require sunshine, tours are offered in the afternoon hours. General days of operation with greeters and tours will be Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Please thank the greeters and tour guides who give their time to help make your visit to the preserve more enjoyable. If you have questions or interest in setting up a group tour please contact
Beth Grant at bethgrant@bellsouth.net or call 1-229-227-9844
If you post pictures online we ask that you use the following hash tags #wolfcreek2020 #troutlily2020
The preserve gates will open approximately the first week of February and remain open through early March. The opening and bloom season is dependent upon the trout lily's emergence. Please check the schedule before coming as it is constantly being updated. You are welcome to visit the Trout Lily Preserve anytime between sunrise and sunset, however it is suggested that you visit in the afternoon as that is normally when the lilies are open. Since the blooms require sunshine, tours are offered in the afternoon hours. General days of operation with greeters and tours will be Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Please thank the greeters and tour guides who give their time to help make your visit to the preserve more enjoyable. If you have questions or interest in setting up a group tour please contact
Beth Grant at bethgrant@bellsouth.net or call 1-229-227-9844
If you post pictures online we ask that you use the following hash tags #wolfcreek2020 #troutlily2020
Tour Leader Bios
|
Beth Grant - Thomasville
Naturalist, President and Founder of the Friends of Lost Creek Forest and Longtime Volunteer Leader at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve |
Dan Miller - Tallahassee
Founder of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, Owner of Trillium Gardens in Tallahasseee |
Wilson Baker - Tallahassee
Founder of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve and Florida Native Plant Society |
|
Jan Blue Anglin - Tallahassee
Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Board, Longtime Volunteer at Wolf Creek |
Dr. Ann Johnson - Tallahassee
Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society & Florida Natural Areas Inventory Botanist |
Margaret Tyson - Cairo
Naturalist, Volunteer at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, |
2020 Tour Dates & Times
Tour dates and times may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
In addition other tours may be scheduled. In the event of a change to the listed tours, updates will be posted ASAP on the website and the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve Facebook page.
In addition other tours may be scheduled. In the event of a change to the listed tours, updates will be posted ASAP on the website and the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve Facebook page.
A special Thank You to our volunteers who give of their time to make each bloom season enjoyable to all.
Wallace Chason, Christy Bandy, Jane Trulock, Terri Perkins, Demetrius Cox, Ann Bean, Margie Eubanks, Steph Hibberts,
Kay Hash, D. Poppell, Dennis Clark, Susan Anderson, Clarcie Avery, Sue Baggett, Emily Maxwell
Wallace Chason, Christy Bandy, Jane Trulock, Terri Perkins, Demetrius Cox, Ann Bean, Margie Eubanks, Steph Hibberts,
Kay Hash, D. Poppell, Dennis Clark, Susan Anderson, Clarcie Avery, Sue Baggett, Emily Maxwell
The City of Whigham Welcomes Trout Lily Visitors
We would be happy for you to visit us!
We would be happy for you to visit us!
