Truly beautiful local trail, we did about 2.5 miles and there is more to walk through! It's clean and kept up, there are many places to have some food take breaks or just enjoy nature. We saw lots of tortoises and some turtles too! No alligators today but there were signs for caution. Overall, will come again! read more

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This natural area was a delightful discovery next to the Palm Bay Library. The sanctuary sits on a small section of what was once an ancient Atlantic Ocean dune which was part of a series of dunes formed by wind and wave action when the ocean extended across Florida. Through many years the sand was enriched so that a forest grew where only sea oats previously survived. The land that makes up Turkey Creek Sanctuary was donated to the Florida Audubon Society and the City of Palm Bay in 1978. Fundraising to conserve the area began in 1981 by a citizen support group which is still in existence today as the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society, Inc., a registered non profit. The purpose of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society is to raise funds to support the improvement and upkeep of Turkey Creek Sanctuary and to educate the community on the vital importance and the many benefits of Florida wildlife and its natural environment. By 1994, 113 acres were protected by the voluntary management committee. Today Turkey Creek Sanctuary is part of the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program which added acres to the sanctuary in 2004. It is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Some of the birds you might see here include ospreys and owls in the old pine canopy and woodpeckers and the rare purple martin. There are also alligators, manatees, gar fish, and turtles in Turkey Creek which can be accessed by canoe or kayak. Turkey Creek Sanctuary has more than three miles of marked trails through 130 acres of sand pines, saw palmettos, and live oaks. There is a 1.85 mile boardwalk that passes through a hydric hammock, mesic hammock, and sand pine scrub community. Also in the sanctuary there are 1.5 miles of jogging trails through native forest and a 1 mile mountain bike trail that connects to an additional 8 miles. The Margaret Hames Nature Center was opened in 1992 and offers interpretive exhibits, a restroom, and environmental education programs that include nature day camps, tours, nature library, and a gift store. I loved my hike at Turkey Creek Sanctuary. I started off by visiting the Margaret Hames Nature Center where you can see exhibits, use the restroom. and purchase a drink. Near the entrance to the boardwalk I spotted a gopher tortoise wandering around. The boardwalk area was mainly shaded with lots of interpretive signs. My favorite spots were the tree house and the Oli Johnson Canoe Deck where you can look for alligators and turtles. This is such a beautiful spot. If I lived closer I would be a regular visitor. read more

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Great place to bird/animal watch or walk with your family. the mosquitoes can get rough so spray before you go! they have a mosquito meter

I visited this place multiple times and absolutely fell in love with it! The entire area is stunning and so well-maintained. There's a peaceful running trail, a fitness trail with equipment, and two beautiful boardwalk trails that take you right through natural wetlands. Along the way, I saw a wide variety of wildlife--turtles of all kinds, fish, an actual alligator, and even a family of manatees (mom, dad, and baby)! It was an unforgettable experience. At the entrance, there's a small information area where you can learn about the local wildlife, including snakes and other native species. There's also a little shop where you can buy souvenirs and beverages, and the shop has clean, air-conditioned restrooms--which is a huge plus on a hot day! It's conveniently located right next to the library, making it easy to find. Whether you're into nature, wildlife, fitness, or just looking for a peaceful escape, this place truly has something for everyone. Highly recommend! read more

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We visited Turkey Creek Sanctuary during a weekend in Melbourne, Florida. It is free to visit and there is plenty of parking. We spent approximately 1 1/2 hours walking along the boardwalk and visiting the Margaret Hames Nature Center. In the nature center there were aquariums with turtles and lizards. The were a lot of hands on activities for children. The boardwalk is quite long and takes you through different Florida natural areas. We did not see any wildlife but there are turtles, fish and alligators with an occasional manatee in the sanctuary. The boardwalk has numbered interactive QR codes along the way describing different trees and plants. Many of the planks along the boardwalk had been purchased and displayed birthdays, engagements and other life events. There are trails throughout the sanctuary but time limitations prevented us from checking them out. read more

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Beautiful spot! My family of 5 spent about 1.5 hours walking around here. We didn't see too much wildlife but it is also February, so I'm not sure if that could be the reason. We did get to see turtles and one manatee swimming around. I would recommend stopping by here if you're in the area! read more

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I live close by here and it is one of my favorite places to go. It's always such a nice and relaxing walk. Every time you go keep your eyes peeled for animals. I've seen turtles, tortoises and on the off chance of getting lucky manatees. Nature is beautiful and places like this are so important for that. It's also nice that it's near the local library for those of us who are also bookworms. read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Parks Near Me - Palm Bay, Florida

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Nice boardwalk and walking path along the water. Saw lots of turtles, fish and a manatee(!!) the welcome center/shop was so cute and the staff was extremely friendly. read more

First time at the Turkey Creek Sanctuary and it was awesome! To start off, there is plenty of parking but there is construction around the entrance- there are plenty of signs indicating where to go. When you enter, on the left is a visitors center. There are clean restrooms and two guides that were very helpful. There are several trails, semi-shaded, and there are a few gazebos to sit in along the way. We were able to see the head of one manatee on our adventure! A fun, free activity in the area! read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Parks Near Me - Palm Bay, Florida

Love this park and plein air paint here regularly. Can be busy at times so expect lots of hikers and joggers.

Beautiful sanctuary that we found sort of by accident! They have beautiful hiking trails (as short as .25 miles and as long as 5(?) miles) The scenery is beautiful. Moss covered trees, variety of trees, bushes and plants. We also liked the "dedication" planks along the way. Makes for good reading along the way! We unfortunately didn't see any wildlife on our trip.... until we got out to the road. There was a tortoise just happily munching on grass as we drove by. I would put this on your list to see! read more

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This place is a hidden gem! I only give four stars because I need to keep exploring! There is a wooden trail that goes around to see water. There is a path on the dirt/mulch as well. There were people jogging on there as well. Through this area there are different little "workout" areas. Pull up bars, logs with images to show different workouts to do. It is super cute. Just because it is such a dense area I would go with a friend through the trail. There are signs to make sure you're able to know which way the exit is. There is parking right by it and even a library! It is hidden behind the community center. read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Parks Near Me - Palm Bay, Florida

What a nice hike! So many trails to see. I wd recommend probably not weekends because it was crowded and there were many kids so it was a bit noisier and for that reason we probably didn't see as many animals as others have. We still really enjoyed it and at the end the little shop was great and the volunteers were so friendly and helpful! read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a small sanctuary located next to the public library. Turkey Creek sanctuary is a great place to head towards to escape the stress and grinds of the day-to-day living in the modern world and taking a moment to walk through nature. The path is clearly outlined and is by no means anything strenuous. There's also a small nature building, however, I did not go in there. Please be advised that the entrance to this park is on the side streets. However, there is a sign on the main road, so it should not be too hard to find. Just keep your eye out for it. There is a small picnic area that looked rather inviting and the path was also very clearly marked. All In all, this was a pleasant place to just take a few moments to clear my head and get away from the daily motions in the daily grind. I would definitely recommend here and give it five stars. read more

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Awesome place to check out and explore nature. Free admission, free parking, and easy to get in and out of. Currently bathrooms are closed for renovation however the library next door is open to the public. Upon arrival, we saw a cute turtle that had crossed the street to the parking area to sun in the grass. The information board has been kept up to date on current repairs taking place. The boardwalk was recently updated as one flyer noted. They do also offer hiking trails as an alternative for getting around the Sanctuary. It took us about two hours to visit all 40 or so markers along the boardwalk. Supposedly there are a couple manatees that dock there occasionally. There is a path off the boardwalk you can take to head down and check and see if they are hanging out. We were pinched for time and didn't partake in this venture. This place has been well kept and is a great educational source. I highly recommend this place. It's gorgeous. read more

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Turkey Creek is absolutely wonderful. I took a relaxing walk with my parents and kitty in his stroller. It's most likely not ideal to take a stroller with you as there is no pavement, just wooden chips. There were so many turtles walking around and nesting. Such a sight to see. Placed throughout the sanctuary are designated exercise challenges, which were fun to try out with my father. The office has pretty cool trinkets/jewelry to buy, which were all very affordable. The bathrooms were clean and there are nifty artifacts to see. I could've spent easily an hour in there. I can't wait to go back, minus the stroller. If you would like to take a relaxing walk, I highly recommend coming to this beautiful sanctuary. read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Gardens - Parks Near Me - Palm Bay, Florida

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Growing up in Brevard County, Florida, I'm pretty sure Turkey Creek was the first nature trail I've explored. School field trips, Girl Scout jaunts and random walks all took place in Turkey Creek throughout my childhood. Coming back as an adult, I have a new appreciation for this Brevard County staple. Located in Palm Bay, Florida, Turkey Creek Sanctuary is in the same complex/area as the community center and Palm Bay library. Turkey Creek has its own parking lot, but the community center and library parking lots flank each end just in case their parking lot is full. There is no charge for any portion of Turkey Creek: to walk the boardwalk, use the exercise trail or go into the nature center (that has bathrooms in the event you're traumatized by port-o-lets as I am...I just can't NOT look!) and there are signs and posted maps that help guide you. The boardwalk is lined with engraved wooden planks and it's neat to see the different messages - memorials, birthdays, a few marriage proposals and people's random nicknames - that make the trail even more interesting. Although I've never seen them, you can apparently see alligators, raccoons and bobcats. I HAVE seen butterflies, different species of birds, squirrels, lizards (EEK!) and frogs (EEK again!). No matter what I have or haven't seen, I plan to return time and time again to this serene and beautiful trail. read more

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I found this hidden treasure yesterday. It is so peaceful and serene. We took a walk in the evening and there was a nice breeze and minimal bugs. There's so many different types of plant life. This space is beautiful. I wish I knew about this place years ago. read more

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Beautiful area to walk and educate yourself about the Santuary! Plenty of parking, shaded areas to walk and library right next door! Not a place to miss, great for all ages and don't forget to check out the visitor shop! read more

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Turkey Creek Kayak Launch at Briar Creek Blvd. just off of Port Malabar Road Date of trip 7-4-2022 We are local so we have been going to the Turkey Creek Preserve for nearly 30 years. The boardwalks meanders through wild, natural Florida habitat (as wild as it can be for and inner-city sanctuary) such at pine/palmetto forest and oak hammocks. We usually see many native birds, bugs, lizards, turtles, and racoons, occasionally we see snakes, alligators and manatee's. Manatee's are seen more often while kayaking along with gators, mullet, turtles, and tarpon. This trip was just kayaking the creek. What would make the kayak access a 5 star review? Move the mountain bike trail or require the bikes to stop and walk across the kayak access. It crosses the kayak access exactly where the bank is the steepest and hardest to negotiate getting a vessel in or out of the creek. The bikes come at full speed, down hill (both sides, the access is the low point), and around a blind curve. We have escaped what could have been very nasty injuries by jumping out of the way and sustaining minor scratches. Some people may wish for a paved or gravel access or bathrooms however, I think the lack of both help keep the amount of paddlers down and allowing for a less crowded creek paddling experience! read more

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What a Beautiful Place to walk... We were not prepared to take photos, but I had to pull my phone out and take a few shots... Enjoy! I promise next time, I'll have my Canon with me!! This place was Super nice & to think we live within walking distance!! We saw Turtles, Manatee, Squirrels, Birds, Water, Beautiful Trees, Butterflies, Annuls, Lizards, & So much more!! Wear Bug Spray & stay away from the Fire Ants! :-) From the Trail to the boardwalk, to a different trail, it was Awesome!!! read more

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Well organized and maintained trails, most of them paved with wood telling nice words to departed ones. i liked the hearts carved on wood and the childish looking pictograms as well. If you are into palm trees like me, this is paradise. Local flora and fauna to enjoy for free. I did not see any manatees (only in the big picture) but my path was accompanied of dozens of butterflies. It was a very beautiful sunny day. Tons of people in the trails, maybe because is located next to the local library. Some gazebos too to get some shade and enjoy a picnic. The information center was great and i got all i need for a self guided botanical tour. read more

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Great nature walk with a nice little shop and indoor facility with staff that answer questions and greet with a friendly smile. Loved the walk and many trails. We saw a ton of turtles and a variety of birds here. Beautiful spot. Saw several alligator gar in the waters. read more

This is one of my favorite trails. I have been a few times now and I always see gopher tortoises. It's a beautiful 1.85 mile long trail on a nice boardwalk. Great for jogging or walking. It feels really safe for a family adventure. Walking in the woods can be scary but with the boardwalk there are plenty signs and it's easy to direct yourself. Along the trail they have labels on the rails to teach you about different native Florida Plants featured. There are even views of the creek. On the creek you can spot different kayakers or paddle boarders steaming by. If your really lucky you will spot alligators and Florida Cooters in the creek. All types of birds like ospreys are common as well. They also have a nature center but be aware of the hours. I haven't been in there yet as it's never open. The best part about this trail is the shade! It's covered in plenty trees with various spots to site. Adventure awaits!! read more

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For mountain biking, it's hard for beginners. Ok if you have done this before. It's very hilly, with sand and narrow and full of roots. The scenery is pretty. read more

Can't believe how beautiful this sanctuary is right smack in the middle of town. Saw many turtles in the river and even more tortoises while hiking. This is the perfect place for a nice afternoon stroll or for a hard core workout . read more

Great little trail. Not the longest nature walk but most of its all board walk. They have an area where you can launch a boat. There are a few pit stops that overlook the river below. Very well shaded. Some of the trail is not board walk and is subject to flooding. Some of the wildlife we have spotted are Birds, Butterfly's, Fish, Raccoons, Alligators, Opossum, Manatee, Giant woodpeckers and lots of animal tracks for larger animals that probably come out at night. They have a little visitor center, it is cool and a nice place to learn. The ranger that works there is usually pretty nice person and they have public bathrooms here. read more

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Love the walking trails! Love all of the wildlife! Great picture moments! Love taking my grandchildren there for walks!

Absolutely, hands down best spot to see wildlife. Manatees steal the show with there abnormally large bodies just wading in the water. Very cool viewing of them all eating the shrubbery off the sides of the embankments. Forewarning, they almost all have gouges covering their backs from boat propellers. Signs galore stating not to feed any of the wildlife are posted for this reason. I even saw a sign stating not to molest the gators... Pretty sick world, but that's off topic. read more

Great place for walking, sports and recreation. We met a lot of turtles walking in the woods. Very pleasant air! read more

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Parks Near Me - Palm Bay, Florida

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Took their free 1hr tour. Tour guide was very informative about plants & animals. There's a river here with lots of turtles, fish, & manatees. Great for kayaking. There's a free learning center building too. It's an easy flat walk along the boardwalk. There's poison ivy here, so don't touch anything w 3 leaves. read more

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Awesome but definitely got lost for a little bit better learn to read signs before you go

Great hike, tons of shade with all the trees....also it runs right by a waterway so you'll see soft shell turtles, manatees, fish, alligators, etc. Hidden gem. read more

This is a great place to take a nice stroll. Lots and lots of shady spots, animal sightings, and if you stand at the canoe/kayak launch you can see lots of turtles, fish and possibly alligators, if you're lucky (or unlucky, if you don't like alligators). There' s an elevated boardwalk with railings, and it's plenty wide enough that you aren't stepping to the side when people come the opposite direction. I believe they also have spots for picnicking and a running/calisthenics trail as well. Great place to walk with kids. read more

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This is such a cute park! The trails are well maintained and there is plenty of wildlife to see throughout the park. I've never had an issue with parking and there is a huge lot very close to the trail head. My only complaint is that this park isn't dog friendly, so we can't bring our four-legged friend! read more

Epic spot for those of you visiting. Also, if you live in the area and love nature, you MUST come! Great trails (even tried out the workout trail), and it's awesome to walk around and see the wildlife. I had a fantastic time and when I'm back to FL again, I'll be back to visit this spot! read more

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This is a lovely boardwalk and trail park with demo garden, a great nature center with neato exhibits, and views of the crick. Apparently manatees hang about the area but I only saw turtles. Kudos to those who helped preserve this lovely area in the Palm Bay near Melbourne FLA. I saw some nice butterflies, flowers (lots of lupines in March) and animals skins, scat and vones in the nature center. I hope the bobcats are doing okay l. It was a thrill just to touch their poop. Beautiful animals. read more

I was introduced to this natural, peaceful quiet sanctuary by a friend (Karen). Manatees, turtles, raccoons, fish, and native foliage all up to a restful time. There are wooden slats dedicated to families and memories, as well as marriage proposals, and scriptures. read more

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It's a beautiful place to visit and enjoy old florida. A place to find peace and listen to nature. My husband and I are both photographers and we love finding places like this to capture our sightings on camera. It's free to visit and it has a nice boardwalk to access the trails. read more

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Walked the boardwalks and saw a huge gator. We also saw tons of turtles and a funny little armadillo. Great free thing to do!