Savannas Preserve State Park

Florida's southeast coast was once a long, almost unbroken stretch of freshwater marshes (savannas). Then the developers arrived and changed all that. Today, Savannas Preserve State Park preserves a 10-mile stretch of that ancient ecosystem on the west side of Indian River Lagoon between what is now Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce. This is the last remaining large, intact remnant of what a large part of south Florida looked like up until the early 1900's.

Savannas Preserve State Park offers more than 8.5 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians (equestrians need to have proof of a negative Coggins test in their pocket before unloading their horses on public land). The trails wander around in the savanna marsh system so depending on water levels and weather, areas may be wet.

There are picnic pavilions (with picnic tables) available near the canoe launch (about 3/4 of a mile north of the Environmental Education Center), at the Education Center and at the Jensen Beach trailhead.

The Environmental Education Center is open from 9 am until 5 pm, Thursday through Monday. The park itself is open for day use only from 8 am until sunset every day of the year. Entry to the Environmental Education Center is free and the building is full of live animals, hands-on displays and exhibits regarding the history of the Treasure Coast.

To get there: the map below shows a number of entry points to the property. The Environmental Education Center is located on Walton Road, about two miles east of US Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie.