St. Joseph Bay
This outstanding coastal site is a treasure trove of biological diversity; it protects significant surface water, recreational, archaeological, botanical, and wildlife resources. Much of the property is a mosaic of pine flatwoods interspersed with freshwater swamp and marsh, scrub, grasslands, salt marsh, tidal creek, and impressive dune ridge/swale habitats.
Featured Image: St. Joseph Bay as viewed from Cape San Blas Pennisula
Sites At This Location
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve: Deal Tract
Located on the bay side of St. Joseph Peninsula, this parcel offers a casual hike through sand pine scrub to a fork in the trail. To the right, scope for ducks, shorebirds and raptors overlooking St. Joseph Bay. To the left, explore a hardwood hammock for songbird migrants like Hooded Warbler and Summer Tanager.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve
This outstanding coastal site is a treasure trove of biological diversity; it protects significant surface water, recreational, archaeological, botanical and wildlife resources. Birders will find an interesting mix of year-round residents and migratory visitors, thanks to the diversity of well-managed habitats.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve: Deal Tract
Located on the bay side of St. Joseph Peninsula, this site offers a casual hike through sand pine scrub to a fork in the trail. To the right, follow the trail to a large pavilion and a primitive campsite overlooking St. Joseph Bay, where you can scope for buffleheads on the bay and clapper rails along the edges of the marsh. When the tide is out shorebirds frequent the flats and channels; Black-bellied Plovers and Willets are common. In fall, look for migrating raptors such as Merlin and Cooper’s Hawks and in winter check open grassy areas for Savannah and Chipping Sparrows. To the left at the fork, the trail leads to a hardwood hammock which can be productive for spring and fall songbird migrants like Hooded Warbler and Summer Tanager. In winter, Gray Catbirds and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are common in the hammock. During the summer, biting insects can be fierce and the trails offer little shade: bring insect repellent and drinking water.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managed By: FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection
Operational Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Size: 268 acres
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve
Multiple access points and more than 24 miles of dirt roads and multi-use trails permit you to explore as little or as much as you like (portions of trails may be wet at times, so wear appropriate shoes or boots). For a quick introduction to the preserve, start at the Island Gate trailhead on CR 30A, which has 1.4 miles of loop trails right by the entrance. Just west of Island Gate, the South Gate trailhead offers a 2-mile loop through a sandhill/scrub. Both trailheads connect to an even larger network of trails which can also be accessed from the Main Gate trailhead, across from the preserve’s welcome center on SR 30A. From the welcome center’s viewing tower by the bay, watch for Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawk. In winter Black Scoters and Common Loons can be found in the bay. Breeding songbirds include Brown-headed Nuthatch, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Bachman’s Sparrow. Spring and fall are excellent times to visit; 37 species of warblers have been recorded. Butterfly watching is good; look for common wood-nymph, variegated fritillary and gray hairstreak. Guided tram tours are offered. Call ahead for details.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managed By: FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection
Operational Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Size: 5,810 acres