St. Sebastian River

ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK HISTORY AND NATURE During the Second Seminole War, the Hernandez-Capron Trail was built to link St. Augustine with Fort Pierce at St. Lucie. After the war, the new road allowed settlers to move into the Brevard/Indian River area. Ranchers used the road to move cattle until the 1970s. Around 1889, the Herndon family settled this land. Their homestead was burned in the early 1940s. Sometime after 1895, the Carlton family built a home in the area. That was destroyed in the 1930s. Other families have built homesteads here, but none remain. The land has been used for growing citrus, ranching, turpentining and logging. The state began acquiring land in 1995. Today, the preserve totals almost 22,000 acres. St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park protects the open grassy forests of Longleaf pine, wiregrass and saw palmetto that were once commonplace throughout Florida. The pine flatwoods form a backdrop for other biological communities, including cypress domes, scrubby flatwoods, scrub, sandhills and a beautiful strand swamp. These habitats are home to many native plants and animals, including more than 74 protected species. A forest of red, black and white mangroves borders the St. Sebastian River. A number of rare plants, including several lilies, occur naturally. 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive Fellsmere, Florida 32948 321-953-5005 PARK GUIDELINES • Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. Call for visitor center hours. • All plants, animals and park property are protected. Collection, destruction or disturbance is prohibited. • Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a handheld leash no longer than six feet and well-behaved at all times. • Fishing, boating and fires are allowed in designated areas only. A Florida fishing license may be required. • For camping information and reservations, call 321-953-5005 or 321-953-5004. • Horses must have proof of a negative Coggins test. • To become a volunteer, please inquire at the visitor center. • For information about joining the park’s citizen support organization, visit FloridaStateParks.org/ St.SebastianCSO or call 321-953-5004. • Florida state parks are committed to providing equal access for visitors to all facilities and programs. If you need assistance to enable your participation, please contact the administration office. Visit us online at FloridaStateParks.org Follow us on social media FloridaStateParks.org #FLStateParks ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK Wildlife haven along the St. Sebastian River St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park EXPERIENCES AND AMENITIES N W The north entrance for the visitor center and Manatee Overlook is off Babcock St. (County Rd. 507) just north of the C-54 Canal. Exit I-95 at County Rd. 512 to reach County Rd. 507. The south entrance is off Fellsmere Rd. (County Rd. 512) 1.8 miles east of I-95. E S Horse Water r Pine Camp Storytelling Camp Corral Cow Camp R i ve Northwest Quadrant Green Trail - 9 miles RCW Link 2.3 miles North Prong Spur 1.7 miles ast i an Northeast Quadrant Yellow Trail 9.7 miles Indian River Horseman’s Manatee Headquarters Overlook Camp Deer Link .S eb West Indian manatees gather in the C-54 canal from November through March. Other wildlife viewing includes deer, coyotes, bobcats, wild turkeys, eastern indigo snakes and gopher tortoises. Photographers, bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts can explore up to 60 miles of wilderness trails on foot, fat-tire bicycle or horseback. Canoeing and boating on the St. Sebastian River are popular activities. Launching facilities are available outside the preserve. Fishing catches in the brackish waters of the St. Sebastian River include tarpon, snook, bass and mullet. Enjoy a picnic at one Legend of the three picnic areas within the park. Facilities include covered pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Park Boundary Directions St St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Many species of birds use the preserve during migration, including swallow-tailed kites, hawks, hummingbirds and robins. The most popular birds are red-cockaded woodpeckers, Florida scrub jays, Bachman’s sparrows, sandhill cranes, wood storks, southern bald eagles and American kestrels. Stop by the Visitor Center for bird lists, trail maps and exhibits about the park. Turkey Link 1.0 mile Office Horse Water C-54 Canal County Nine primitive hike-in, tent camping only areas areRoad available by reservation. Four sites are locatedPark onRoad Paved the north side and five on the south side. All sites are Park Road Stabilized primitive with no potable water, electric or restroom facilities and “leave no trace” ethics apply. TwoPark Road Unstabilized equestrian camp areas can accommodate groups Hiking up to 20 people and include facilites such as paddocks, Hiking/Biking/Equestrian non-potable water for horses and a pitcher pump. A campfire ring and benches are provided at allWalkways areas. Please call 321-953-5005 to make reservations. Structures Visitor Center Eagle Camp Cypress Loop 1.9 miles Southwest Quadrant Red Trail - 14 miles Horse Water Southeast Quadrant Blue Trail - 10 miles Tree Frog Camp Scrub Jay Link 3.0 miles Private Property Ranch Camp Educational Kiosk Bunkhouse Parking Lot Marine Structures Trans Florida Central Railroad Trail Trailhead Camping Sites Fellsmere Road ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK Mullet Camp Bicycling Canoeing Primitive Camping Fishing Equestrian Camping Canoe Landing ´ Horse Water Visitor Center Parking Restrooms Hiking Picnicking Wildlife Viewing Horseback Riding Picnic Pavilion 0 0.25 0.5 1 Mile Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks Date of aerial; 2011 Multi-use Trails BA 002254_Rev.01/2019