Have a (social distancing)
adventure on district lands
Recreational opportunities may be limited these days, but St. Johns River Water Management District lands offer an affordable (free) way to embark on your own adventure. We buy land in the course of our work to protect and preserve water resources, and most of the more than 770,000 acres we own or manage is open to the public for passive recreational activities, such as hiking and birdwatching.
If you’ve spent the last few months watching wildlife and nature shows on television, visit your nearest district property soon and experience the real thing. Bring water, bug spray, hand sanitizer and your cell phone (for snapping photos) and be part of the scenery. Depending on which property you visit, you’ll find hardwood swamps, pine forests, meandering trails, the occasional foot bridge, rivers, streams and lakes. Practice patience and you’re sure to see native wildlife. What you won’t likely see are crowds. Unlike national and state parks, many of our properties are less well-known. In fact, our public lands may be one of our best-kept secrets. If you’re unable to leave your home, well, we’re bringing natural Florida to you with these photos and links to information about just a handful of our beautiful properties, all open and available for your enjoyment:
- Blue Cypress Conservation Area – Indian River County
- Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area – Clay County
- Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park – Orange County
- Seminole Ranch Conservation Area – Volusia, Orange, Brevard and Seminole counties
- Dunns Creek Conservation Area – Putnam County
- Stokes Landing Conservation Area – St. Johns County
