Recreation and land

The district is committed to ensuring that all visitors, including those with physical challenges, have the opportunity to experience these natural areas. Several areas allow some level of year-round vehicular access, including properties in which the district is a partner with another agency that acts as the lead property manager.

These areas are:

• Lake George, Lochloosa, Heart Island, Orange Creek and Fort Drum Marsh conservation areas
• John Bethea, Jennings and Tiger Bay state forests (with on-site Florida Division of Forestry staff)
• Russell Landing portion of Haw Creek Preserve, and the Princess Place Preserve (managed by Flagler County)
• Pine Island Conservation Area (managed by Brevard County)
• St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (managed by the Florida Park Service)
• Herky Huffman Wildlife Management Area at Bull Creek (managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

In addition to allowing limited vehicular traffic, some properties have interpretive drives or wildlife drives, such as Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area (seasonal), Lake Apopka North Shore, Lake George Conservation Area, Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area and Princess Place Preserve. Other properties feature accessible amenities such as fishing piers, boardwalks, walkways, observation platforms, picnic shelters and restrooms.

Trail conditions and safety

District lands were primarily purchased to protect water resources. As a result, many marked trails are seasonally flooded. Likewise, district lands are diverse and many trails traverse several types of plant communities that thrive in soils ranging from loose “sugar sand” to wet organics, such as muck. Trails are minimally developed (with only minor vegetative trimming); are natural (non-improved, non-paved) surfaces and uneven with obstructions that include roots, stumps and other natural materials. Most trail access points located in the fence at each trailhead parking area have an all-terrain vehicle excluder post installed, although the width will accommodate wheelchair access.

District conservation areas are generally “back country” lands and are more remote than state parks, with less chance to see another visitor. The district has no on-site staff. Each individual is responsible for determining his/her personal ability to access district trails safely.

Mobility devices

The Americans with Disabilities Act allows limiting access when unrestricted use of vehicles or an abundance of other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) would create a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment including natural and cultural resources, or pose a conflict and safety concerns with other non-motorized trail use by other visitors. To meet these concerns on district conservation areas that prohibit motorized access, the district has a process to provide accommodations to persons with permanent mobility impairments that limits their ability to walk. This process utilizes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) alternative mobility permit, which allows the use of certain types of small OPDMDs on a limited basis. Individuals who submit an FWC Alternative Mobility Permit (AMP) will receive a District Special Use Authorization (SUA) for use of the OPDMD on the district land(s) identified in the SUA.

The AMP allows mobility impaired persons to drive their OPDMD on interior service roads and firebreaks that are typically closed to the public, as they are used for land management purposes only. The OPDMD (all-terrain vehicles and golf carts with less than a 60-inch wheelbase) is to function solely as a mobility device for the individual, with a maximum speed of 5 mph. The AMP allows one assistant to ride along on the same OPDMD with the permit holder, but the assistant cannot operate a separate OPDMD.

Mobility devices described under federal law are:

Restrictions while on district lands

To ensure public safety and environmental protection, the following are not allowed:

1. Removal of plants, animals or archeological or cultural resources
2. Trapping devices
3. Off-road vehicles

For your safety and comfort

District lands are natural, wild and scenic places. Most properties offer no amenities such as rentals, restrooms or shelters. For your comfort, plan ahead. Follow all social distancing and health advisories.

You may want to bring the following with you:

1. Sunscreen
2. Drinking water
3. Insect repellent
4. Hand sanitizer
5. Rain jacket and boots that dry quickly (for the rainy season, May through September)
6. Bright orange clothing to wear during hunting season (fall through spring)

Maps in this guide are not intended for navigational purposes; they provide only the general location of each area.

Restrictions and rules regarding the use of district lands are listed above. Other restrictions may apply. For more information on rules and where to obtain permits for specific activities, please see Using district lands (above), Who to contact, or Hunting information on this site.

Notice of statutory limitation of liability

Subject to the limitations therein, Section 373.1395, Florida Statutes, provides that the district owes no duty of care to keep its park areas or lands safe for entry or use by others or to give warning to persons entering areas or lands of any hazardous conditions, structures or activities thereon. The district does not, by providing any of its park area or land for outdoor recreational purposes, extend any assurance that such park area or land is safe for any purpose; does not incur any duty of care toward a person who goes on park area or land; and is not responsible for any injury to persons or property caused by an act or omission of a person who goes on park area or land.