Property of the month feature
Discover the wilderness at Dunns Creek Conservation Area
July 11, 2024
The District’s Dunns Creek Conservation Area helps protect water resources in Putnam County.
Spanning 3,156 acres in Putnam County, Dunns Creek Conservation Area is open for exploration. Located in San Mateo, the St. Johns River Water Management District property safeguards precious water resources.
“In addition to providing an upland buffer to about 5 miles of shoreline along Dunns Creek, which is a tributary to the St. Johns River, the conservation area really highlights the vital role prescribed fire plays in land management,” explains Tyler Mosteller, the District’s North Region land manager. “Roughly half of the property was managed through controlled burns this past year, and you can see the ecosystems flourishing now.”
Across the creek from Dunns Creek State Park, which is managed by the Florida Park Service, the District purchased this property in 1992. In addition to protecting water resources, it safeguards plant and wildlife habitats and provides an area for public recreation and environmental education.
Dunns Creek Conservation Area boasts captivating trails and interior roads, guiding visitors through mesic flatwoods, hammocks, and even along a relic logging tram road that cuts through the heart of Long Swamp, stretching the expanse of the conservation area. Adventurers can partake in hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and wildlife viewing.
“The swamp and upland communities support a variety of wildlife,” Mosteller says. “When visiting the property, you may see toads, frogs, snakes, alligators, raccoons, deer and many species of birds.”
For those seeking an authentic outdoor experience, a campsite nestled on the eastern edge of the property allows for primitive tent-only camping (advance reservation required). Seasonal hunting, permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is available during specified times.
Plan a visit to Dunns Creek Conservation Area today! Visit our online recreation guide for a property map, driving directions and more: www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/dunns-creek
Prescribed fire it a vital tool for land management at Dunns Creek Conservation Area.
