Yearling Trail

Take a trek back in time to Pat's Island on the Yearling Trail, a walk through the Big Scrub to an island of pine that the Long family once called home. This interpretive trail system leads you past a variety of historic structures, including an old cattle dip vat, a cistern, the remains of several homestead sites, and the Long family cemetery. In the center of it all is a giant sinkhole where the pre-1900 settlers collected drinking water.
The natural beauty of the area and the colorful life style of these rugged people fascinated the author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. She stayed with the last two inhabitants of the island, Calvin and Mary Long in October 1933. During this and other visits she recorded many stories told by the Longs.
For the filming of "The Yearling" by MGM between 1939 and 1940, sets were constructed on Pat's Island, with crew and actors brought in for exterior scenes. The Florida State Archives has an excellent slide show of pre-production and location shots.

Current Conditions: Expect full sun on the first/last mile of trail.
Operational Hours: Dawn to dusk
Area Amenities: Interpretive Site,Parking
Fees Free
Usage: Light-Medium
Closest Towns: Salt Springs, Astor
Water: No
Restroom: No