Maritime Hammock Sanctuary is along the Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park. Trails connect the…read moretwo parks. This preserve protects 150 acres of natural coastal hammock, marshlands, and mangroves along the Indian River Lagoon. It is the largest intact maritime hammock in Brevard County. There is a 3.5 mile loop trail from the North Trail Head to the South Trailhead and back. The trail crosses two bridges, a boardwalk over wetland areas, and there is an observation deck over a marsh pond which is an excellent spot for bird watching. At the north trailhead you will find several grassy parking spaces. There used to be a plant nursery here but the non native plants have been removed. Along the hiking trail you will see wild coffee and marlberry in the understory along with white stopper, gumbo limbo, and oak trees covered in resurrection ferns. Animals that make their home here include raccoons, alligator, black racer, golden orb weaver spider, great egret, and osprey. Throughout the preserve are middens, a kind of ancient garbage dump left by the prehistoric Ais who used to live here. The midden are hilly areas marked by shells. Due to the extreme heat I could not make it through the entire hike but I enjoyed what I was able to complete. Most of the trail I was on was shaded. Note that during the rainy season, parts of the trail may be flooded. I recommend coming on a cool day and bringing water and bug spray.

A really nice walk located on south A1A. About 1 to 2 miles depending on chosen route. Some ponds…read morewith gators and birds. Nice vegetation including wild orchids at times, wild coffee and gumbo limbo trees. Pretty well marked. You shouldn't get lost. No dogs or bikes allowed.

The huge, sprawling trees with extensive aerial root systems often found near Green Turtle Cove and…read morealong NE Ocean Blvd in Jensen Beach are Banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis or similar species). Also in the surrounding area. Banyan trees are Known for their immense, wide-reaching canopies, these majestic, historic trees are iconic to the Treasure Coast's coastal landscape. Beautiful and amazing creation! I fully was in awwwww all the way thru! These trees can tell a story or two. Beautiful homes are lined up next to these majestic creation. I was amazed by the height and thickness of these beautiful canopies. If only they would talk? I stood beneath them and stared straight up for a long period of time (actually until my neck gave me a kick). They are just so unique it has a historical feeling to it! You definitely will enjoy a drive thru these tunnel of beautiful trees. Specially when is bright morning and the sun peeks thru these branches. Perfect for photography, or just for a Facebook and Yelp pic. If you are near please take a moment to appreciate them and connect, it will be worth the while! You're welcome wink ;)

Pretty cool place, the trees are beautiful. We actually…read moreexpected it to be a bit more of a destination than it was, which was a short stretch of road under the canopy of trees, and we had a heck of a time finding it. But, multiple maps and some detective work led us to the destination. You basically just get out of your car when there are no cars passing and snap a few photos.

Finding this state park was a very cool discovery. It is located about a mile north of the Fort…read morePierce Inlet. You go down a road and there is a small parking lot at the end. The cost to use the preserve is $2 cash on the honor system. From the parking lot you cross over a bridge that takes you over the Indian River lagoon on to the preserve. In the summer you can see manatees swimming but on the day I visited the waterway was being enjoyed by paddle boarders. This 1,342 acre preserve has been managed by the State of Florida since 1963. It has more than 4 miles of dirt and grass trails along mangrove lined canals. I saw so many mangrove crabs scuttling around. Little blue herons fly overhead and I also saw great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, wood storks, and ibises. Osprey and roseate spoonbills have also been noted in the preserve, There are two trails to the the observation tower. A one mile direct trail or a two mile perimeter trail. I opted for the direct route to avoid an impending rain storm. The tower has stairs that take you 30 feet above the lagoon. From the top you can see the bird rookeries on surrounding islands. As you hike the island you will see culverts that are part of a system for flushing mosquitoes from their breeding areas. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in mud along the island and water is released through the big metal pipes to flood the areas normally used by the mosquitoes for breeding from April to October. Two other islands make up the preserve, Kings and Queens but they have to be explored from the water. Jack Island is the only one that offers hiking trails. Since Jack Island is located on the lagoon it gets fewer visitors than other state parks on the beach. I had the whole preserve to myself. I saw so many birds, it really is a paradise for bird watchers and photographers. The hike is an easy one and I would have stayed longer if it wasn't for the lightning. The island is also popular with anglers who fish for mullet, snook, and sheepshead and runners. You can walk for miles and never encounter any one else. Jack Island is the perfect place to enjoy Florida the way Mother Nature intended it to be.

Good hiking spot, there's multiple length hikes to choose from. You can either take a direct one…read moremile (one way) walk to the observation tower or take the loop which is 2 miles either way. The tower provides a 360 lookout over the mangroves and the river. Saw herons, crabs, butterflies and large flying fish. Dogs are allowed on short leash. Path is sandy and currently muddy due to afternoon showers today. If you're coming from Ft Pierce Inlet SP or the Avalon State Park this is a 10 minute drive from either one and is worth a stop. We created a state parks map and this was not on it. We saw a state park sign (pictured) and whipped a U-ie to check it out. Glad we did. It is a $2 honor system admission fee payable at entrance. Entrance is where a residential street dead ends and you'll see a McMansion on your left. Park anywhere, pay the fee and walk toward the bridge. No amenities. No restrooms or water fountains. If you're an outdoor person consider getting the Florida state park pass. It's $120 per family and lasts 12 calendar months.

Coconut Point Sanctuary is a 62 acre preserve protecting natural coastal strand, oak scrub, coastal…read moreoak forest, and and mangrove forest habitats on Melbourne Beach. The sanctuary is located across from Juan Ponce de Leon Park which is where you need to park before crossing the street to enter the preserve. The one mile loop trail through this preserve takes you from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way you will traverse through saw palmetto and wildflowers. Located in the preserve is the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute which operates a marine mammal ecology and animal health lab. This sanctuary is a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. An observation platform over the Indian River Lagoon is the ideal spot to view shorebirds, juvenile sea turtles, osprey, manatees, and pods of dolphins. Note that there is no shade on the trail and in this brutal heat I didn't make it that far. I recommend visiting during the cooler winter months. This area contains ancient sand dunes that were once the home of the prehistoric Ais who were hunters and gatherers. Prior to contact with European colonizers, the Ais population had grown to several hundred thousand and may have flourished for over 10,000 years. This area is also believe by some to be the landing point of Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513.

Coconut Point Sanctuary boasts a one mile hike through natural Florida protected land. It is called…read morethe ocean to lagoon hike because it connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon. The hike is considered easy to moderate. My three year old grandson maneuvered through it with easy and had a blast. The path has lots of beautiful flowers and is loaded with natural beauty.

Nice paved trail. Plenty of shade. No issue with bugs at 5pm since it was pretty hot. I took no…read morechances though & covered up with bug spray. Storm from other night flooded rest of trail. Saw no gators but heard them in the water!

i had a great time walking around this garden located in winter park. there was a wedding…read morehappening, a family gathering elsewhere by the river, & the whole space was buzzing w/ summer energy. there is a whole area of the garden i have yet to explore but good thing is - it's free! i was a little lost on the map, it would have been nice to have a more clear distance gauge because some of the lines look like the trail is super long when in reality it's not and just the placement of buildings/parking too. i'll be back to conquer that map !! or maybe i'll stay a while and smell the roses.

The Gardens are beautiful and a great place to reconnect with the world. We went to see the…read moreNight-Blooming Cereus. It's a once a year blooming that is amazing. The trails are an easy walk and quite beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Pretty area but a bit muddy with high puddles when we went and look out towers were closed. We…read morewill have to check it out again after good weather.

Fantastic place to walk the trails. You get to see different environments & topography. If you are…read morelucky, you see lots of birds & tortoises & and an armadillo or two. The nature center is great as well. They have a nice exhibit and resident ambassador animals. Tip: they recycle plastic bags and styrofoam here so I always save and bring to drop off. Thank you Oxbow!!!!!