Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area

Managed in cooperation with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Buck Lake WMA consists of 9,291 acres adjacent to the St. Johns River in southeastern Volusia County and northwestern Brevard County. The property includes marshes dotted with cabbage palm hammocks, a marsh lake (Buck Lake), pine flatwoods and scrub. The marshes form the headwaters of Six Mile Creek, which runs southward to the St. Johns River. A 200-acre ridge of scrubby flatwoods and oak hammocks is habitat for Florida scrub-jay, Bachman's sparrow, brown-headed nuthatch and gopher tortoise. Other animals that may be seen here are river otter, white-tailed deer, woodpeckers, owls, bald eagle, alligator, turkey, herons, egrets and gray fox. The area is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Add your bird observations to the Buck Lake Conservation Area eBird Hotspot.

Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling (on roads) and horseback riding. White-tailed deer, hog and turkey hunting are all good on this wildlife management area. Check the regulations summary brochure for vehicle access restrictions. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands. Camping is prohibited during periods open to hunting. During non-hunting periods, camping is regulated by the St. Johns River Water Management District, 386-329-4404. Reservations can be made at the St. Johns River Water Management District Camping page, and should be made at least seven days in advance.

More Information

• View FWC's regulations summary brochure for Buck Lake for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees, rules regarding dogs and area regulations.