Nature’s calling at Clark Bay Conservation Area

Experience the great outdoors with a visit to Clark Bay Conservation Area, located in Volusia County. Spanning 5,134 acres, this St. Johns River Water Management District property not only protects vital water resources and supports native plants and wildlife, but also offers recreational opportunities.

The uplands of Clark Bay Conservation Area drain into several large basin swamps that form two streams— Deep Creek and Little Haw Creek —and protects nearly 3,200 acres of diverse wetlands associated with the headwaters of Little Haw Creek. The property is part of a broader network of public lands, including Tiger Bay State Forest, the District’s Heart Island Conservation Area and the county’s Longleaf Pine Preserve. Together, these lands protect the region’s environmentally sensitive resources and act as a wildlife corridor. Florida black bears, state-listed threatened gopher tortoises and federally threatened wood storks may be found on the property.
“Before the District acquired Clark Bay in 2002, it was managed as commercial timberland,” says R.H. Davis, the District’s North Central Region land manager. “When exploring the property, you’ll see a mix of planted pine, hardwood swamp and wetland strands.”
The conservation area boasts a 5-mile semi-shaded trail that is popular for hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. The southwest section of the loop takes visitors through a rosemary scrub. As part of the Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area, 3,745 acres of Clark Bay are open to seasonal hunting. For hunting details, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or visit its website.

Plan your visit to Clark Bay Conservation Area today. Heavy rain tends to flood some of the trails, so plan accordingly. Visit the District’s online recreation guide for a property map, driving directions and more at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/clark-bay.