While many may come to the Treasure Coast for the miles of beautiful beaches, one of Martin County’s best-kept secrets is the acres of parks and bio-diverse preserves that make up the region. Each of the county’s 73 parks tells its own story, with a unique set of adventures and wildlife that create infinite possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here’s a closer look at just a few of the locals’ favored parks and preserves.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Located just south of Stuart, Jonathan Dickinson State Park teems with wildlife in 16 natural habitats including sand pines, flatwoods, mangroves, and river swaps. The park has something for every outdoor enthusiast, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and a campground with 135 campsites. The favored local trail is Hobe Mountain, a 124-foot tower that offers stunning panoramic views of the forest to the west, and the azure Atlantic Ocean waters to the east. The Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River, is famous for kayaking and canoeing, where canopies of centuries-old cypress trees and mangrove-lined estuaries allow visitors to step back in time.
Halpatiokee Regional Park
With 65 acres of active-use park and 500 acres of surrounding wetland preserves, Halpatiokee Regional Park is the largest park in Martin County. Bring your camera to the park’s miles of hiking, mountain biking, and paddling trails to capture the hundreds of species of flora and fauna that call this area home. Many sports activities occur here as well, with disc golf, tennis and pickleball courts, an open-air roller-hockey rink, and soccer, football, baseball, and softball fields.
Payson Park
While Martin County may be known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” it is also home to a growing group of equestrians who appreciate the animal-friendly atmosphere. Located a little further west in Indiantown, Payson Park is the winter training ground for world champion thoroughbred horses. The training facility is a nearly 400-acre property that offers horse trainers a one-mile dirt track, one-mile turf track, or casual riders five miles of horseback trails. For those who prefer to stay on the east coast, Ft. Pierce just north of Martin County is the only place in Florida where guests can ride horseback on the beach.
Kiplinger Nature Preserve
Located just south of Veterans Bridge, Kiplinger Nature Preserve contains over 150 acres of nature to explore. The picturesque trail and boardwalk system winds through views of the red mangroves and flatwoods, leading the way to a beautiful overlook above the St. Lucie River. Plentiful interesting wildlife makes this spot a favored destination for birdwatching, including wading birds, great snowy heron, osprey, and bald eagles.
A New Chapter in the Heart of Martin County
In the heart of it all, Martin County’s newest community was designed for lovers of the outdoors. With clean water and open spaces at the forefront of planning, this new community concept has prioritized providing new parks and plentiful outdoor activities for all Martin County residents. To learn more about this new community and to be a part of the Storie, Chapter One, register your interest at StorieFL.com.
