Managed by the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District, this wetlands park/mitigation bank on South Hutchinson Island features a series of mangrove-lined impoundments along the Indian River Lagoon. Hike or bike the unpaved dike trail west to an observation platform on the impoundments and two great viewing spots along Bear Point Cove: an elevated viewing tower and a 500-foot fishing pier.
U.S. Navy Frogmen (forerunners of the Navy Seals) once trained here on North Hutchinson Island where visitors now come to relax and experience the park's beach, dunes, maritime hammock, mangroves and diverse mix of wildlife.
Acquired in 1997 as part of St. Lucie County's Environmentally Significant Lands Program, this site sits atop a platted subdivision that was never built. Natural community types protected here include extensive freshwater wetlands (basin and depression marshes), pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, scrub and a 35-acre "borrow pit" lake. Three miles of multi-use trails, an ADA-accessible observation deck and fishing pier, plus an observation tower and a canoe launch are available to serve your birding needs.
Another component of St. Lucie County's Environmentally Significant Lands program, this scenic preserve is located in a remote western part of the county. Six miles of multi-use trails guide you through wet pine flatwoods and wet prairie, and around a series of seasonal depression marshes.
The park has restrooms, a boardwalk, trails, a two-story observation tower, viewing platform, boat ramps and a canoe/kayak launch. In the fall and winter months, Manatees may be present in the creek and can be spotted swimming under the bridge or in front of the boat ramps. go to the Riverside Park's boat ramps in the southeast corner, and take the impoundment loop trail (hike and bike) south through the mangroves. The second property, Round Island Conservation Area, can be accessed in two separate places off the southern boundary of Riverside Park. Look for a trail opening in the live oaks approx. 100 yards west of the main park entrance, or walk back east from the main parking area, along the treeline.
"Savannas" (also known as freshwater marshes) formerly stretched along much of Florida's southeastern coastline. This park now protects the coast's largest intact remnant of this ecosystem, second in size only to the Everglades. This location was originally a saltwater bay; today the depth is rarely more than 2 to 4 feet at any point.
Managed by the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District, this wetlands park/mitigation bank on South Hutchinson Island features a series of mangrove-lined impoundments along the Indian River Lagoon. Hike or bike the unpaved dike trail west to an observation platform on the impoundments and two great viewing spots along Bear Point Cove: an elevated viewing tower and a 500-foot fishing pier.
U.S. Navy Frogmen (forerunners of the Navy Seals) once trained here on North Hutchinson Island where visitors now come to relax and experience the park’s beach, dunes, maritime hammock, mangroves and diverse mix of wildlife.
Acquired in 1997 as part of St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands Program, this site sits atop a platted subdivision that was never built. Natural community types protected here include extensive freshwater wetlands (basin and depression marshes), pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, scrub and a 35-acre “borrow pit” lake. Three miles of multi-use trails, an ADA-accessible observation deck and fishing pier, plus an observation tower and a canoe launch are available to serve your birding needs.
Another component of St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands program, this scenic preserve is located in a remote western part of the county. Six miles of multi-use trails guide you through wet pine flatwoods and wet prairie, and around a series of seasonal depression marshes.
The park has restrooms, a boardwalk, trails, a two-story observation tower, viewing platform, boat ramps and a canoe/kayak launch. In the fall and winter months, Manatees may be present in the creek and can be spotted swimming under the bridge or in front of the boat ramps. go to the Riverside Park’s boat ramps in the southeast corner, and take the impoundment loop trail (hike and bike) south through the mangroves. The second property, Round Island Conservation Area, can be accessed in two separate places off the southern boundary of Riverside Park. Look for a trail opening in the live oaks approx. 100 yards west of the main park entrance, or walk back east from the main parking area, along the treeline.
“Savannas” (also known as freshwater marshes) formerly stretched along much of Florida’s southeastern coastline. This park now protects the coast’s largest intact remnant of this ecosystem, second in size only to the Everglades. This location was originally a saltwater bay; today the depth is rarely more than 2 to 4 feet at any point.
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of more than 500 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. When you want to know where to go in Florida to see native birds, butterflies and more, head for the Trail.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Russell Office Park
1875 Orange Ave. East
Tallahassee, FL 32311