State Parks & Preserves
Cyclists on Black Creek Trail in Fleming Island, photo courtesy of Clay County
DUVAL-NORTH Amelia Island State Park
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
Amelia Island State Park is a nature
This pedestrian-only mile-long bridge
lover’s dream with beautiful beaches, maritime forests and salt marshes. A beachside park is a perfect place for horseback riding, and the white sandy
in Jacksonville is a fisherman’s dream. Depending on the season, anglers can find a variety of species in the water including tarpon, redfish, whiting and
beach is a popular place to search for
jack.
seashells and shark’s teeth.
Big Talbot Island State Park
Little Talbot Island State Park
Those looking for the ideal hike
As one of the last remaining barrier
will love Big Talbot Island State
islands on the First Coast, Little
Park where visitors can hike several
Talbot Island State Park has beautiful
different trails leading to the
sprawling white beaches, salt
shoreline, marsh or maritime forest.
marshes and coastal ecosystems.
Kayaks are available for rent with
Both migratory and native wildlife can
guided tours and the area is also a
be found in the park including many
fisherman’s paradise. Boneyard Beach
birds, otters, raccoons, opossums,
is famous for skeletons of live oak
bobcats and more. Visitors can rent
and cedar trees that once grew on the
kayaks, visit campsites and even enjoy
shoreline. The Timucuan Trail runs
guided paddle tours.
parallel to A1A with a 3.9-mile paved
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
path perfect for biking, walking or running. The park is a migratory home to many shorebirds like the Least Tern and Little Blue Heron, two species currently on the threatened species list in Florida.
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park is an important ecosystem for many different species of wildlife dependent on the longleaf pine flatwoods in the park that protect the water quality, allowing aquatic plants and animals to prosper. Several
Occupied for more than 5,000 years,
threatened species can be found in the
the park was named after a 1736 fort
park including the American alligator.
originally built on the grounds to
With more than 15 miles of trails,
defend the area when it was a colony.
hikers and equestrians can enjoy the
In the 1920s, the Ribault Club was
trails and salt marsh.
built originally as a resort. It is now used as a visitor center for the park, a meeting space, and for special events. Visitors can boat, fish, kayak and hike the island, exploring this cultural gem.
The First Coast has more than 80,000 acres of parks with a national wildlife refuge, a national forest, and nine state parks!
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Jacksonville Arboretum, photo by Catherine Wysoczanski
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