This 21-acre preserve, purchased in 2006 through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program, derives its name from the nearby historic winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and the preserves primary habitat of hydric hammock.

The preserve’s walking trails meander under a canopy of oaks, red maple, hackberry, and American elm and through an understory often dominated by wild coffee. Visitors may see woodpeckers, box turtles, red-shouldered hawks, barred owls and an assortment of song birds.

The preserve offers visitors a mile and a half of shady, unmarked trails which are unpaved but accessible for most visitors. Water, sun block, a rain jacket, insect repellant and sturdy shoes are recommended for hiking. Because of the habitat found here, most of the trails experience flooding seasonally and after heavy rainfall.

• Parking for the preserve is available a short walk from the preserve’s entrance at 17th Street Paw Park.

Preserve hours are:

7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., April through October
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., November through March

The draft Circus Hammock Management Plan is now available for public review and comment. Direct any comments or questions to aphillip@scgov.net.

Draft Circus Hammock Management Plan !NEW!

For more information about Circus Hammock, call 941-861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.