Embrace the “cooler” temperatures and hit the trails

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 10, 2023 — As the summer’s stifling heat gives way to the cooler temperatures of a Florida fall, the St. Johns River Water Management District encourages the community to enjoy the weather by exploring our extensive network of properties.

Whether you’re into walking, biking, boating or geocaching, the District has a property tailored to your interests!

Through strategic land acquisitions and management practices, the District not only protects water resources but also helps preserve critical habitat for plants and wildlife, all while offering spaces for public recreation and environmental education.

“While our primary focus is on water resource protection, the benefits of our land acquisitions extend to the broader community and the environment,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of these properties and all they have to offer.”

Spanning 778,000 acres throughout our 18-county service area, chances are there is a property near you. Entry is free and we offer a wide range of nature-based activities. From leisurely hikes to birdwatching, these outdoor spaces provide an array of opportunities for individuals and families alike.

Looking for some inspiration? Consider adding these must-visit properties to your list.

1. J. P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area in Clay County
   • Activities: Bank fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping and wildlife viewing.
   • Highlights: Situated near the St. Johns River and Jacksonville metropolitan area, this area boasts two special campsites. The Hammock campground is nestled in flatwoods, with a charming ephemeral stream nearby. The Riverside campsite offers breathtaking views of cypress trees lining the riverbanks.
2. Deep Creek Conservation Area in St. Johns and Putnam counties
   • Activities: Hiking, biking, photography and wildlife viewing.
   • Highlights: While the property doesn’t have boat launches, visitors can access the water for boating and paddling near the State Road 207 bridge over Deep Creek.
3. Julington-Durbin Preserve in Duval County
   • Activities: Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, biking, fishing and nature study.
   • Highlights: This preserve is a natural haven amidst the urban sprawl of Jacksonville and St. Johns counties. In the fall, the area is adorned with an abundance of native wildflowers.
4. Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County
   • Activities: Seasonal hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating and wildlife viewing.
   • Highlights: Don’t miss the stunning views of the lake shore, best admired from the fishing pier at the end of Burnt Island Road.
5. Thomas Creek Conservation Area in Duval and Nassau counties
   • Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, biking, hunting and wildlife viewing.
   • Highlights: Comprising various tracts of land along over 10 miles of Thomas Creek (the largest tributary of the Nassau River), this conservation area offers a diverse range of activities and beautiful scenery.
6. Fellsmere Water Management Area in Indian River County
   • Activities: Wildlife viewing, fishing, seasonal hunting, biking and hiking along many miles of levees, canoeing and boating.
   • Highlights: This sprawling 10,000-acre reservoir is a sanctuary that has thriving aquatic habitats teeming with diverse fish and wildlife. Its environment sets the stage for a range of recreational opportunities, with world-class bass fishing prevailing as a standout attraction.
7. Three Forks Conservation Area in Brevard County
   • Activities: Hiking, biking and bank fishing on the levees, seasonal hunting, fishing, camping, air boating, boating, canoeing and wildlife viewing.
   • Highlights: Looking for an extensive trail network? This is your property. Here, you will find nearly 70 miles to explore. Additionally, points of interest include camping sites along the river marsh, convenient boat launches, and inviting picnic areas. It’s worth noting that there are also other nearby public lands that add to the appeal of this area.
8. River Lakes Conservation Area in Brevard County
   • • Activities: Hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, boating and wildlife viewing.
     • Highlights: One of the special highlights of this property is its numerous camping sites that are accessible by boat along the river and access to more than seven miles of trails. Other special features include open landscapes dotted with palms, seasonal wildflowers and grasslands that change colors with the seasons.
9. Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area in Indian River County
   • Activities: Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing, biking, camping, wildlife viewing, canoeing and seasonal hunting.
   • Highlights: A visit to the wooden boardwalk that winds its way through a blackwater hardwood swamp is a must here. The journey to reach the boardwalk, approximately half a mile from the Horseshoe Lake parking area, is a rewarding experience in itself. In total, the conservation area offers approximately five miles of trails. Worth noting, this property lives up to its name and is often very wet at times, so come prepared.
10. Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area in Brevard County
    • Activities: Fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing and wildlife viewing. Boating is available on the St. Johns River via adjacent boat ramps.
    • Highlights: One of the special highlights of this property is its incredibly scenic views across thousands of acres of open, nearly treeless marsh (hint: you can get a taste of this view when you drive down State Road 50 east to I-95). There are a few shelters accessible by boat along the river that are very popular with airboaters. Huge alligators and numerous wading birds can be seen on this property.
11. Blue Cypress Conservation Area in Indian River County
    • Activities: Wildlife viewing, fishing, seasonal hunting, biking and hiking along many miles of levees, camping, canoeing and boating.
    • Highlights: Serving as one of the most undisturbed areas in the headwaters of the St. Johns River, this property is a must see. A beautiful and distinctive landscape is created by the scattered pond cypress domes across the open water. In the eastern section, a critical habitat for the listed snail kite thrives, providing essential foraging and nesting grounds. Wetland-dependent species, including great blue herons, white ibis, snowy egrets, limpkins and night herons, call this area home. Other notable inhabitants encompass wood storks, ospreys and the majestic bald eagles.
12. Lake Apopka North Shore in Lake and Orange counties
    • Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating and wildlife viewing.
    • Highlights: The crown jewel of this property is undoubtedly the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Spanning 11 miles through the eastern expanse, this one-way drive offers a scenic journey with lots of opportunities to view active wildlife. The property is also a haven for bird enthusiasts and is renowned as one of Florida’s premier birding destinations, boasting an impressive record of 372 distinct bird species observed on the property.
13. Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area in Lake County
    • Activities: Seasonal waterfowl hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, boating and wildlife viewing.
    • Highlights: This property offers a seasonal wildlife drive that opens in February annually. Additionally, a daylight-accessible boat launch and an observation platform provide panoramic views of the marsh and riverbanks, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
14. Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area in Marion County
    • Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, limited hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and nature study.
    • Highlights: This property has an extensive trail system, which happens to be a favorite for equestrian enthusiasts. Notably, you can encounter Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoon and bobcat. Birdwatchers will find the bottomland forests especially rewarding during the fall and spring migration seasons.
15. Crescent Lake Conservation Area in Flagler and Volusia counties
    • Activities: Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, biking, fishing and nature study.
    • Highlights: This property offers over four miles of meandering trails! For a peaceful weekend experience, take a break at the covered picnic pavilion or consider booking the neighboring group campsite. Keep your eyes peeled during your visit – this property encompasses portions of a major black bear corridor within central Florida.
16. Lake Monroe Conservation Area in Volusia County
    • Activities: Fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping sites, wildlife viewing and boating (property is accessible by water, but there are no launches located on-site).
    • Highlights: Beautiful views of open floodplain marsh can be found on both tracts on this property! The Brickyard Slough tract is shaded with numerous oak hammocks, making it a favored spot for primitive camping. Meanwhile, the northeastern section features high sandy scrublands, serving as the habitat for the Florida Scrub-Jays.
17. Lake Jesup Conservation Area in Seminole County
    • Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, biking, wildlife viewing and boating (property is accessible by water, but there are no launches located on-site).
    • Highlights: Just south of Lake Monroe Conservation Area, this property serves as a haven for migratory birds. Birders flock here, particularly in May at the Marl Bed Flats tract, to view large flocks of shorebirds that stop over every year on their spring migration. It’s also a good place to see large flocks of American white pelicans, wintering ducks and sparrows. The East Lake Jesup tract offers a short shady hike to an observation tower overlooking the marsh at the edge of the lake.

For a comprehensive list of all our properties and available activities, visit www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/list.

Learn more about the District’s land management practices by visiting our website at www.sjrwmd.com.