FIELD TRIP: Sunset Ranch/Lake Marian/Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area

Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025

Location: Sunset Ranch/Lake Marian at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, near Kenansville

Leader Name: Ricky Ray

Leader Contact Information: (328) 853-9654

Trip/area Description: The Sunset Ranch Trail at the Prairie Lakes Unit north of Kenansville provides an easy interpretive day hike to sample the habitats found in the preserve. The trail leads to an observation deck on Lake Marian.

The 63,000-acre Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County was formerly a cattle ranch with large prairie and longleaf pine stands. It is a mosaic of dry and wet prairies, flatwoods, hammocks, cypress ponds and patches of scrub. Lake Marian has one of the highest concentrations of Bald Eagles in Florida along with many other species.

A description of the trail may be found here:

Duration of trip in hours: 3-4 hours

Walking distance: 3-4 miles

Degree of difficulty: Easy walking trail through pine flatwoods and prairie habitat to Lake Marian. May be wet in spots. Bring water and sunscreen.

Where you’d like participants to meet: IHOP parking lot at 8800 20th St. in Vero Beach.

Time of meeting: 7:00 am for the 1-hour drive to the trailhead.

Number of participants: No limit. - The name of each attendee & email is required or your request may be canceled. Thank you for your cooperation.

Host or Publisher Pelican Island Audubon Society