Recreation and land
Public lands offer far-reaching benefits
The St. Johns River Water Management District buys land in the course of its work to protect and preserve water resources. In addition, these lands protect plant and wildlife habitat and provide areas for public recreation and environmental education. The benefits are far-reaching for the public and the environment.
The district owns or manages approximately 777,912 acres of land throughout its 18-county service area. Virtually all district property is open to the public for activities that are compatible with conservation. A few areas of district lands are closed because of ongoing construction or restoration projects.
Recreation announcements
Following is a list of properties that are closed or have portions closed due to ongoing land management activities. We regret the temporary inconvenience, but the closures are necessary for public safety. If you have concerns or comments about any of these activities, please contact us at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or 386-329-4404.
Posted 10-18-2023
A portion of Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area is undergoing sandhill restoration as part of the District’s long-term forest management and ecological restoration/enhancement plan. The 160-acre restoration area is in the sandhill west of the powerline corridor. Pile burning is anticipated to continue through summer 2024, and prescribed burns will be conducted on an 18- to 36-month cycle to keep the habitat healthy and to enhance native sandhill species. Learn more at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/black-creek-ravines.
Updated 2-7-2023
The area along the L-77 West Levee in the Blue Cypress Water Management Area, also known as Lake Garcia, has been designated an idle speed zone. Signs have been posted on property and are located at the motorboat and airboat ramps of the 512 recreation area. The idle speed zone extends 300 feet east of the L-77 West levee. To assist boaters navigate around the work area and in identifying the no wake zone, the District has installed orange buoys with strobing lights in Lake Garcia.
This idle speed zone has been temporarily established to alleviate erosion at the levee toe and will remain in place for approximately two years as the District works on planned reinforcements to the levee and littoral zone.
See recreational map for other areas to visit in the area.
Still Road Timber Sale
Updated 6-5-2024
Areas within Heart Island Conservation Area totaling 235 acres (see map) will undergo a pine plantation second thinning timber sale. The objective of this sale is tree density reduction, freeing up growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Various interior roads may be impacted by the thinning operation. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through Feb. 5, 2025. This work could impact hunting within the Lake George Wildlife Management Area.
Deep Creek Timber sale
Posted 9-29-2023
Areas within Heart Island Conservation Area totaling 178 acres (see map) will undergo a pine plantation second thinning timber sale. The objective of this sale is tree density reduction, freeing up growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Various interior roads may be impacted by the thinning operation. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through November 15, 2024. This work could impact hunting within the Lake George Wildlife Management Area.
County Rd. 224 Timber sale
Posted 9-28-2023
Areas within J.P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area totaling 161 acres (see map) will undergo a first thinning timber sale. The objective of this sale is tree density reduction, freeing up growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Various interior roads may be impacted by the thinning operation. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through August 28, 2024. This work could impact hunting within the Bayard Wildlife Management Area.
Posted 7-28-2024
Combie Road, part of the self-guided auto drive, will be closed at Jumping Gully Creek July 29–Aug. 12 for bridge replacement. Please use Truck Trail 2 to avoid construction.
Posted 3-16-2022
Effective March 16, 2022, the District has closed a portion of the Levee Trail on Rice Creek Conservation Area due to repairs needed on a foot bridge crossing Rice Creek. The portion will be closed indefinitely but does not affect the entire Levee Trail or the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Posted 7-7-2023
An area within Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area totaling 165 acres (see map) will undergo a fuelwood harvest timber sale. Some internal roads may be impacted. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. The contract allows the work to be conducted through May 18, 2025. This work could impact hunting within the Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.
Updated 3-29-24
Beginning Oct. 3, 2023, the S-157 structure located along the C-54 canal in St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park will be closed to the public. This closure is necessary as the structure undergoes rehabilitation construction, which is anticipated to continue through September 2024.
During this period, public access to and across the S-157 structure will not be permitted. The restricted area will also include the manatee overlook pavilion and spillway. Alternate access points to the state park can be found on the park map available here.
Please monitor this page for updates or contact St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park at 321-953-5005.
Updated 4-16-2024
Areas within Sunnyhill Restoration Area South Tract will undergo a pine thinning timber sale. The objective of this sale is tree density reduction, freeing up growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Various interior roads and recreational trails will be impacted by the thinning operation. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through Nov. 30, 2024.
