Wilderness Hiking Trails, Space Coast North

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Space Coast North

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This section includes Wilderness Hiking in Northern Brevard, Southern Volusia, and Eastern Seminole Counties.

Mainland

Spruce Creek Park;
6250 Ridgewood Ave. Port Orange 386-322-5133
The Entrance to Spruce Creek Park is on US-1 in Port Orange 5.5 miles north of the intersection of State Road 44 and US-1 in New Symrna. If approaching from the South a U-turn will have to be made north of the park.
Spruce Creek Park is located on 1,637 acres. Its 536-foot boardwalk begins more than three miles of nature trails leading to the 15-foot observation tower and continues to Rose Bay. The tower overlooks the marsh area near Spruce Creek.
Map of Spruce Creek Trail
GPS N 29 05.673 W 80 58.270
Google Satellite Image

Salt Lake Conservation Area
From I-95, take SR 46 west. Turn left onto Turpentine Road, then take a right on Panther Lane then a left on Arch Road and follow Arch Road to the main entrance and parking area.
A mixture of upland scrub and wetlands as well as portions of Loughman, Salt, and South Lakes, Salt Lake Conservation Area has a diverse wildlife population ranging from deer, turkey, bobcat, and fox to scrub jays, hawks, egrets, herons, ducks, and songbirds.
Trails Map
GPS N 28 38.415 W 80 53.386
Google Satellite Image

Buck Lake Conservation Area
encompasses 9,291 acres and has two entrances and parking areas on the north side of State Road 46. The eastern entrance is .75 mile west of I-95 while the western entrance is 6.4 mile west of I-95. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting in season are allowed here and there are four primative campsites available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a type 2 management area, meaning during hunting periods you must have a valid hunting license to enter the property and no camping is allowed.
The ridge found in the eastern part of the property supports about 200 acres of scrubby flatwoods and oak hammock which is the habitat for the florida scrub jay, Florida's only endemnic bird species. This area can be accessed from several trails that lead from the main East Entrance Trail. In this Google link,(Google Image) I have placed a marker in the middle of the eastern ridge trail network. The trails are clearly visible in this image as is the entrance trail to the left. A basin swamp community dominates the eastern third of the property. this basin receives runoff water from the surrounding uplands and drains into a wet prarie which forms the the headwaters of six mile creek. The western portion of this property features a large floodplain marsh and a large marsh lake, Buck Lake. Overall, this conservation area provides protection for many natural communities and provides habitat for not only scrub jays, but gopher tortoises, bald eagles, otters, deer, fox, bobcats, turkeys, herons, egrets, owls, and woodpeckers.
Property Map
Trail Guide
GPS (East Trailhead) N 28 40.302 W 80 53.427
Google Satellite Image (East Trailhead)
GPS (Buck Lake Entrance) N 28 40.333 W 80 58.332
Google Satellite Image (Buck Lake Entrance)

Seminole Ranch Conservation Area
is on Hatbill Road off State Road 46 4.1 miles west of the I-95 SR 46 interchange (exit 81). Look for signs for Loughman Lake Lodge and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area on the south side of 46. There are hiking trails in Seminole Ranch at 1.1, 2.3 and 4.1 miles from SR46. This area has a total of 35 miles of hiking trails, including several miles of the Florida Trail which flanks the St. John's River. Primative camping is allowed on the portion east of the St. John's River, as is biking, horseback riding and canoeing. Hatbill Park, a County Park is within the conservation area at the end of Hatbill Road and offers boating and canoeing access to the river.
The area ecompasses 28,785 acres, 96 % of which is within the St. Johns drainage basin and a variety of habitats are found here including pine, palmetto, hardwood, hammocks, freshwater lakes and river, and wetlands. Certain areas have a unique plant community supported by connate saltwater which flows from small springs near Harney and Puzzle lakes. The salinity of small lakes in the area approaches one-third that of sea water. Many salt-tolerant and marine-dwelling organisms present here are not found anywhere else in the St. Johns River. Wildlife found here includes migratory and residential wading birds, while white pelicans, southern bald eagles, roseate spoonbills and sandhill cranes sometimes are sighted. Other wildlife includes bobcats, otters, deer, and alligators.
Property Map
GPS N 28 39.904 W 80 56.393
Google Satellite Image

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
Lake Proctor is 15.5 miles west of Interstate 95 on SR 46, on the North side of the road.
The Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is a 475 acre wooded site located in east Seminole County near the Town of Geneva. About 6 miles of trails will take you through a variety of habitats such as sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mixed hardwood swamp, sandhill or longleaf pine, turkey oak, bayhead swamp and oak hammock. Wildlife observed on this site includes the wood duck, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, wading birds, migratory songbirds, red fox and Florida worm lizard. The trails are open to hiking and mountain bikes.
GPS N 28 43.553 W 81 05.929
Google Satellite Image

Geneva Wilderness Area
Head south about 1 mile on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. The Wilderness area will be on your left.
The Geneva Wilderness Area is a 180 acre site that lies to the south of the Geneva community on SR 426 in East Seminole County. The Geneva site contains an array of native Florida plant communities from Mixed Hardwood Swamp and Mesic Hammocks to Xeric Oak, all supporting an equally diverse collection of wildlife. A hike through these habitats can reward visitors with sighting gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grey fox.
Seminole County Aerial Map PDF
GPS N 28 42.565 W 81 07.429
Google Satellite Image

Black Hammock Wilderness Area
Take SR 46 to CR 426 in Geneva, south on CR 426 (4.2 miles). Turn right on Walsh Street, then take the second left onto Florida Ave, then the next right on Barr Street, then turn right onto Howard Ave. Park will be right there on left.
The Black Hammock Wilderness Area, a 700 acre joint purchase with the St. Johns River Water Management District, was acquired as part of a comprehensive effort to preserve significant habitat along the shores of Lake Jesup. A round trip hike of approximately 4.5 miles of trails will take you through habitats such as Mixed Hardwood Swamp, Sand Pine Scrub and Pine Flatwoods. Wildlife observed on this site includes the Barred Owl, White-tailed deer, Bobcat and Eastern Hognose Snake. The variety of habitats and beautiful boardwalk and trail system makes this park a popular destination for local equestrians (no trailer parking), mountain bikers, hikers, photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Seminole County Trails Map PDF
GPS N 28 41.980 W 81 09.546
Google Satellite Image

Little Big Econ State Forest
There are two separate tracts to the The Little Big Econ State Forest, the Demetree Tract and the Kilbee Tract.

The Demetree Tract of the Little Big Econ State Forest protects the watershed of one of Floridas most beautiful Blackwater Rivers, the Econlockhatchee, a popular canoeing destination. Along the river one may see wading birds perched in trees, various raptors including Bald Eagles are commonly sighted as well as swallow-tailed kites flying overhead in spring and summer. Woodpeckers and kingfishers are also common sightings. A large variety of songbirds inhabit the forested areas as well as the improved pastureland near the Snow Hill Road entrance. Other sightings may include whitetail deer, turkey, bobcat, otter, alligators, sandhill cranes, and many others.
There are three entrances to the Demetree Tract, the Barr Street Entrance, the Snow Hill Road Entrance, which also serves as the Equestrian use entrance, and the Jones East Trailhead Entrance.
To get to the Barr Street entrance, go south about 4.5 miles on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. The Barr Street entrance will be on the left. To get to the Snow Hill Road entrance, go south on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. In just under a mile, Snow Hill Road veers off to the left. Go about 2.5 miles south on Snow Hill Road. The parking area will be on the right. The Jones East Trailhead can be found on Snow Hill Road about a half mile south of the Snow Hill Equestrian Trailhead.

The Kilbee Tract is a separate tract that straddles the St John's River on the south side of State Road 46, and contains the point where the Econ flows into the St Johns. The trail leads from the Trailhead heading south then forks into two trails. Taking the left fork will bring you to a great vanatage point overlooking the St. Johns River Floodplain. Scan the marshes for waders, ducks, raptors, and many others.
The entrance to the Kilbee Tract is off of SR 46, just west of the SR 46 bridge about 11 miles west of the I-95/SR 46 interchange.

Florida Dept of Forestry Trails Map PDF

GPS Barr Street Entrance N 28 40.952 W 81 09.572
Google Satellite Image Barr Street Entrance
GPS Snow Hill Road Entrance N 28 41.175 W 81 06.873
Google Satellite Image Snow Hill Road Entrance
GPS Jones East Trailhead N 28 40.407 W 81 06.845
Google Satellite Image Jones East Trailhead

GPS Kilbee Tract Trailhead N 28 42.924 W 81 02.938
Google Satellite Image Kilbee Tract Trailhead

Lake Mills Park
From Titusville take SR 50 to Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, turn right (North) and follow Fort Christmas for 9.2 miles, turn left on Lake Mills Road and in .8 miles, turn left on Tropical Ave. Park will be just ahead on right.
This 50 acre park is located on the shoreline of Lake Mills in Seminole County off of Tropical Avenue just north of Lake Mills Road. Scrub forest, lakeshore, and a beautiful mixed hardwwod swamp with boardwalk and a little creek winding through the swamp to the lake.
GPS N 28 37.902 W 81 07.537
Google Satellite Image

Chuluota Wilderness Area
From Titusville take SR 50 to Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, turn right (North) and follow Fort Christmas for 9.2 miles, turn right on Lake Mills Road for .8 miles bear right on Curryville Road. The Wilderness area will be on your left in 2.5 miles.
The Chuluota Wilderness Area is a 625 acre natural area located in the southeast corner of Seminole County. It contains a variety of natural systems such as mesic hammock, pond pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp and some rare habitats such as sand pine scrub. These in turn provide food and shelter for an equally diverse population of wildlife which includes white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, sherman's fox squirrel, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
GPS N 28 37.398 W 81 03.742
Google Satellite Image

Econ River Wilderness Area
From I-95 and SR 50 near Titusville drive west on SR 50 about 19 miles and bear right on Tanner Road S for 1.6 miles. Turn left on Lake Prickett Road, go 0.8 miles, turn right on Tanner Road N for 2.2 miles, when the road turns into Old Lockwood Road you are about there. Entrance is on the right.
The Econ River Wilderness Area is a 240 acre wooded site located on the Seminole/Orange County line south of the city of Oviedo, on the west side of the Econlockhatchee River. A walk on the approximately 3 miles of trails will take you through habitats such as pine flatwoods, sandhill, and river swamp. Wildlife observed on this site includes the great horned owl, white-tailed deer, and golden mouse. Benches are provided at a bend in the river so you can rest and enjoy the quiet serenity of this little piece of natural Florida.
GPS N 28 36.818 W 81 10.463
Google Satellite Image

Orlando Wetlands Park
25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, Florida, 32709 Park Phone: 407.568.1706
From I-95, take SR 50 west to the town of Christmas. Turn right (north) onto Ft. Christmas Road (CR 420) and go 2.3 miles to Wheeler Road. Turn right on Wheeler and go east for 1.5 miles to the parking area on your left.
The Orlando Wetlands Park is a regional wastewater treatment facility for the Greater Orlando Area. The system was designed to polish up to 35 million gallons a day of reclaimed wastewater. The water is conveyed through a four-foot diameter pipeline approximately 17 miles. Seventeen cells and three different communities were designed to remove excess nutrients from the water. Over 2 million aquatic plants and 200,000 trees were planted to create deep marsh, mixed marsh and hardwood swamp habitats. The water flows into the influent structure and is then divided into three flow pathways. The water first flows into the deep marsh. The deep marsh cells are primarily monocultures of cattails or giant bulrush. From there, the water flows into the mixed marsh.
Wildlife; The open waters of the lake and marshes attract wintering waterfowl, including blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, common moorhens and Amaerican coots. Wood storks, white ibis, black-crowned night herons, and other wading birds are common during the cooler months. Bald eagles, limpkins, and red-shouldered hawks, black vultures, and turkey vultures are year round residents in the Orlando Wetlands Park. Raccoons, river otters, white-tailed deer and bobcats can be seen along the roads and hiking trails. The Orlando Wetlands is home to over 30 species of wildlife that are listed on the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Threatened and Endangered Wildlife list.
GPS N 28 34.162 W 80 59.797
Google Satellite Image

Fox lake Sanctuary
Fox Lake Sanctuary is a 2,800 acre property owned by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered lands Program and has recently opened to the public via a trailhead located near the boat ramp of Fox Lake Park west of Titusville. Roughly 7 miles of hiking trails provide access throughout the property while a marked Canoe / Kayak trail connects Fox Lake to South Lake to the North. Wildlife found on site includes White Tail Deer, Hogs, Migratory and wading birds, raptors, wild turkey, and on at least two occasions the EELs program was suprised to find motion activated cameras tripped by Florida Black Bear.
The sanctuary contains a variety of habitats such as scrub, pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, depression and freshwater marshes.
Property Map
GPS N 28 35.309 W 80 52.496
Google Satellite Image

Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park
9,515 acres, including individual and joint ownership by the District and Orange County.
From Titusville, head west on SR 50, past the town of Christmas. Turn left and go east on SR 520 for about two miles. Turn right (west) into the Wedgefield subdivision on Macon Parkway. Turn left on Bancroft Blvd., right on Meredith Parkway, then left on Dallas Blvd. The parking lot is 1.6 miles south of the Meridith/Dallas intersection, on the right.
This vast expanse of flatwoods and open prairie straddles the Econlockhatchee River in east Orange County. The big attraction for birders here is an active colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers located in the northern third of the property. Best viewing time for the RCWs is at dawn when the birds awaken from their nesting cavities. White stripes around pine tree trunks identify trees with RCW cavities. Other common resident species include eastern bluebird, brown-headed nuthatch, Bachman's sparrow, wood duck, sandhill crane and barred owl. With some luck, visitors may find wild turkey, whip-poor-will, hairy and red-headed woodpecker, hermit thrush, orange-crowned warbler, sedge and marsh wren, king rail and Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawk.
Property Map
Trail Guide
GPS N 28 29.163 W 81 05.833
Google Satellite Image

North Brevard Walking Trail
is found on the corner of Holder and Dairy roads in Titusville. About 6 acres in size, it is a preserved section of Atlantic Coastal Ridge pine scrub habitat with about a half mile trail looping around the outer parimeter and other trails through it. Located atop an ancient sand dune, this type of unique habitat is rapidly being bought up by developers in Florida and is probably the most endangered habitat in the state. It is dominated by tall slash pine trees and a lower growth of scrub oak and saw palmettos. Nice 1/2 hour or so hike and lots of songbirds during migratory periods.
GPS N 28 38.261 W 80 51.403
Google Satellite Image

Dicerandra Sanctuary
This 44-acre Sanctuary is named after an endangered mint plant, Dicerandra thinicola, also known as the Titusville mint. When the shrub blooms in November and December the tiny flowers put on a purple and white show. The sanctuary is 44 acres in size and has about a two mile loop trail through the property. The eastern edge of the property is dominated by a depression marsh. Look for songbirds in the trees along the edge of the marsh while at the same time keeping an eye out over the marsh for egtrets and the occasional sandhill crane. From the primary trailhead off of Mellisa road follow the trail as it turns to the left. very soon you will come to a firebreak road. Turn to the left on this firebreak which follows the western edge of the depression marsh. You will come to an intersection to a trail that takes you up to the top of the scrub ridge. Near the top keep an eye out for Florida's only endemnic bird species, the Florida scrub jay. Rufous towhees, blue jays, various species of woodpeckers, raptors and other species are commonly seen here.

Melissa Drive, Titusville
From I-95 take SR-50 Exit 215 east 3 miles. Turn right on Key Largo Drive, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot.
From US-1 Take SR 50 .7 miles to the west and turn left on Key Largo, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot.
Trails Map

GPS N 28 33.099 W 80 48.650
Google Satellite Image

Wuesthoff Park
at 2000 Wuesthoff Street is Just off Barna Ave, just south of Cheney Highway in Titusville, Wuesthoff Park is a 25 acre park that offers good hiking and birdwatching through a variety of habitats including a boardwalk over a small wetlands, and trails that loop through hardwood hammock and and upland pine habitats. This is a nice park for family gatherings. Beautiful deeply wooded hike, picnic area, and a nice mowed open field and play area.
GPS N 28 33.342 W 80 49.541
Google Satellite Image

Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area
This area can be accessed from a parking area on the south side of SR 50 approximately three miles west of I-95. Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area is a 6,741-acre property owned and managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The trail from here heads due east for about a mile then turns due south for about another mile until it meets the Addison Ellis Canal, then follows along the canal east until it comes to the border of the Great Outdoors Golf and RV Resort. along this route this elevated dike trail trail offers expansive views of the marshes, which provide habitat for a diverse population of wildlife, including numerous migratory and resident wading birds and waterfowl, alligators, and many endangered species. Once you get to the point where the canal enters the resort, the trail turns south and forms two loop trails which take you through wooded hammock habitat providing habitat for various songbird species, deer, turkey, and other wildlife, while looping around an extensive indian midden.
There is no camping or hunting allowed here.
Property Map
GPS N 28 32.708 W 80 53.790
Google Satellite Image

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area ; (Orange County)
3365 Taylor Creek Road
Christmas, FL 32709-9130
(407) 568-5893
can be found west of Titusville on SR 50 over the St John's River and into the town of Christmas. Look for Look for Taylor Creek Road on the south side of SR 50. Then head south for about 3 miles and you'll see the entrance on the left on Beehead Road. There is a nominal day use fee per vehicle. A box to deposit the fee is at the entrance kiosk Overnight primitive camping is available. There are two classes of trails here.
Multi use trails can be hiked, biked, and ridden on horseback and are marked with orange or rust colored blazes while the foot only trails are blazed in white. Horses are not allowed on vehicle roads except at designated horse crossing points. Bicycles are allowed on all park roads, service roads and firelines. This 28,000 acre area runs along the St John's River and features about 30 miles of trails, primative camping, virgin pine flatwoods, and a 900-acre virgin cypress swamp which running along Jim Creek is thought to be the largest remaining stand of cypress left uncut in the state. This is a beautiful area which can be accessed from the last parking area west on Power Line Road before it crosses Jim Creek. The trail head is a log bridge over a creek just accross the road from the parking area. In the pinewoods near Beehead Ranch at the end of Beehead Road, some of the tall slash pines are thought to be 250 years old.
Bird and wildlife watchers will love the opportunity to see some of the large raptors such as osprey, bald eagles, and swallow-tailed kites that can be found here. Wild turkey, white tailed deer, bobcat, racoon, armadillo and on rare occasions, Florida panther are rumored to have been spotted here. Other points of interest include the 30 indian mounds in close proximity to the trails.
The Park Roads provide parking areas and trail access throughout the park. Refer to the map for specifics.
Trails Map
GPS N 28 29.912 W 80 59.903
Google Satellite Image

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
is a truely unique sanctuary where Walking & Learning trails wander through timeless Scrub, Mesic, and Hydric ecosystems with their wide variety of endangered and threatened species. An ADA accessible trail extends from the Nature Center to an overlook of the Addison Ellis Canal. The relationship between soil types and plant communities is easily seen here. Guided hikes are available or you can strike out on your own with a map provided by volunteers at the visitor's center and gift shop, who are always eager to answer any questions. A study conducted in 1994 documented usage of the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary by 52 bird species including wild turkey, bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, barred owl, cooper's hawk, northern bobwhite, eastern screech owl, and numerous songbird species. Bobcats and white tailed deer also are known to be here. In addition, this sanctuary provides refuge for two of Florida's endangered reptiles, the eastern indigo snake and the gopher tortise. With the Titusville area being located within an isotherm, a transitional zone separating a temperate and a subtropical climatic zone, the variety of plant life to be found here is truely astounding.
The entrance to the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary can be found on the North side of State Road 405 in Titusville just west of the intersection of 405 and US-1.
Trails Map
GPS N 28 31.731 W 80 48.138
Google Satellite Image

Fay Lake Wilderness Area
6300 Fay Boulevard, Port St John
At the west end of Fay Bvld in Port St John, this 192.7 acre park has a 27 acre lake on the property, walking trails, shaded pavillions, and offers the chance to see wading birds, migratory songbirds, deer, and many other species.
GPS N 28 27.694 W 80 50.054
Google Satellite Image

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge;
Visitor Center Trail
To get to the refuge visitor's center, stay on the main road as it veers to the right (at which point it becomes State Road 402). You will soon see the entrance on the right about 2.3 miles past the Black point turnoff.
The Visitor's Center has interactive displays and an information desk inside, and outside has a dock leading over one freshwater pond with an osprey's nest visible on an elevated platform, To the right, a boardwalk winds along the shoreline habitat leading to a gazebo over another pond. Red bellied and pileated woodpeckers can be seen as well as northern parulas, gray catbirds, carolina wrens, american redstarts, and many other songbirds.
GPS N 28 38.602 W 80 44.202
Google Satellite Image

Oak Hammock Trail / Palm Hammock Trail;
The Hammock Trails are found about a mile east of the visitor's center on the left, where parking is provided and two loop trails take you through the hammocks and wetlands. The Oak Hammock trail is about 3/4 mile in length while the Palm Hammock Trail runs about 2 miles. Both of these trails can be pretty wet following periods of rain and be sure to bring plenty of bug repellent from about March through October. Songbirds, Peleated woodpeckers, and raptors can be spotted along these trails along with some wading birds. Other possible sightings include bobcats, raccoons, and other woodland wildlife.
GPS N 28 38.636 W 80 42.993
Google Satellite Image

Cruickshank Trail;
About halfway through Black Point Wildlife Drive there is a parking area with restrooms forming the trailhead for the Cruickshank Trail, a walking trail that follows the impoundment dike around the wetlands for about 4 1/2 miles. Good place for egrets, herons, ducks, pelicans, and numerous other waterfowl. Just a few hundred feet to the left of the trailhead is an elevated platform with a mounted spotting scope for viewing the vast salt marsh visible from this elevation.
GPS N 28 40.708 W 80 46.338
Google Satellite Image

Scrub Ridge Trail
The Scrub Ridge Trail features the favored habitat of the Florida Scrub Jay, an endemnic species to the state, existing nowhere else. It is a one mile loop through a habitat of low lying scrub oak and palmetto bushes. In addition to the Scrub Jay, many migratory birds use the low scrub for food and habitat while the skies are often patrolled by Raptors. Indigo snakes, gopher tortises, armadillos, and bobcats are other possible sightings.
The trailhead can be found by taking the Max Brewer Causeway across the river (SR 406) and taking The Black Point turnoff to the left then continuing on past the entrance to Black Point Wildlife Drive until the road ends at SR 3. Turn left (north) and you will see the sign pointing the way down a dirt road on your right (east) to the trailhead. Most of the vegetation here is pretty low (ie, not much shade) so I would recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and water.
GPS N 28 41.700 W 80 42.949
Google Satellite Image

Pine Flatwoods Trail;
The Pine Flatwoods Trail is located north of haulover Canal on the east side of State Road 3 and is a one mile loop through a pine flatwoods. The trailhead can be found by taking the Max Brewer Causeway across the river (SR 406) and taking The Black Point turnoff to the left then continuing on past the entrance to Black Point Wildlife Drive until the road ends at SR 3. Turn left (north) and drive for 7.2 miles. The trailhead will be on the right (east).
GPS N 28 46.181 W 80 47.195
Google Satellite Image

North Merritt Island

Pine Island Conservation Area;
2121 Pine Island Road, Merritt Island
From SR-528 (Beeline Cswy) take SR-3 north for 5.5 miles. Turn left on Pine Island Rd and go 2.5 miles to the unpaved parking area at the entrance.
From SR-520 go north on Courtenay Parkway (SR-3) across the Barge Canal and continue for 5.5 miles. Turn left on Pine Island Rd and go 2.5 miles to the unpaved parking area at the entrance.
The Pine Island Conservation Area is a dynamic landscape supporting a diverse plant community and abundant wildlife. Adjoining the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the 879-acre conservation area is jointly owned by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL Program) and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Two hiking trails accessed from a trailhead 0.5 miles from the entrance parking area offer moderate 1.0 mile and 1.5 mile walks through pine flatwoods and hydric hammock habitats. Each trail features overlooks providing visitors with panoramic vistas of shallow water feeding habitat of wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Biking is allowed on established trails.
Pine Island is not actually and island. The name comes from the fact that an "island" of pine flatwoods is surrounded by other habitats, including on one edge the Indian River Lagoon without the normal habitat transition from pine flatwoods to wetlands to lagoon. There are also mangrove forests, hardwood hammocks, and cabbage Palm Hammocks. The diversity of habitats for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and migratory birds is a prominent feature of the conservation area. Reptiles and amphibians including alligators and aquatic turtles are common, as are mammals such as bobcats, river otters, raccoons, and opossums that seek food and refuge on the site.
GPS N 28 29.507 W 80 43.302
Google Satellite Image

Kings Park
995 Chase Hammock Road, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1, take SR-528 east 2.7 miles, turn left onto Courtenay Parkway (SR-3) and go 3.1 miles.Turn right and go 0.9 miles on Chase Hammock.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
This is a 240 acre park with a manmade freshwater lake and a myriad of creeks and smaller brackish ponds that make for a very interesting birding and wildlife area, especialliy with the addition of the multiuse trail on the property, which runs along one of the creeks. There are also several rustic hiking trails through the park for some off the beaten path hiking. Look for wading birds and other waterfowl along the creeks and backwaters, and migratory songbirds and raptors in the wooded sections.
GPS N 28 26.840 W 80 41.690
Google Satellite Image

Beachside

Canaveral National Seashore;
There are two distinct districts with two separate entrances and you cannot drive between the two. The North or Apollo District is accessed from New Symrna Beach in Volusia County while the South or Playalinda District is accessed from Titusville. (Please Read) All established hiking trails on the seashore are accessible from the North District only. There is an old roadbed that connects the North and South District just above the dune line, and there are some websites that promote this as a hiking trail. However, if the Park Service finds you on this trail they will arrest and fine you $$. This is to protect the fragile sand dunes from erosion. (From personal conversation with Park Personnel)
Owned by NASA, this property is managed by the National Park Service and protects roughly 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean Shoreline and provides nesting grounds for up to 7 species of sea turtles while protecting natural dunes, coastal strand scrub, salt marsh and other wetlands, and virtually the entire body of the Mosquito Lagoon. Over 300 species of birds have been seen at the seashore from gulls, pelicans, ducks, herons, egrets, terns, gannets, assorted shorebirds, and raptors, to painted buntings, migratory songbirds in the hammock areas and scrubjays just inside the north district entrance.
Map of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral Seashore Hiking Trails

Turtle Mound
Turtle Mound Trail leads to the Turtle Mound, so named because it loosely resembles a turtle. The Turtle Mound is a Timcuan Indian midden, not to be confused with an Indian Burial Mound. A midden is essentially a garbage pile made over many years as the Timicuan discarded the shells of oysters, clams and other shellfish that they depended on heavily for food. Other artifacts were tossed in as well. Today this mound is roughly 35 feet in height and is a protected treasure trove of insight into the lives of the Timicuan before the arrival of Europeans. The trail is roughly 1/3 of a mile in length.
GPS N 28 55.829 W 80 49.542
Google Satellite Image

Eldora Statehouse Trail
This short trail can be accessed from parking area #8 and leads to the Eldora State House, after passing through a coastal hammock. Built during the 1800s the house was one of several large houses built in the community of Eldora after the Civil War and later served as a hotel for passengers traveling by steamboat along the Mosquito Lagoon.
Here's a quick history of the area from the Library of Congress Website
GPS N 28 54.565 W 80 49.111
Google Satellite Image

Eldora Hammock Trail
Eldora Hammock is a one mile loop taking visitors through a coastal hammock, good opportunities for seeing migrant songbirds and learning about this habitat through interpretive signage.
GPS N 28 54.519 W 80 48.920
Google Satellite Image

Castle Windy
This is a one way trail about a half mile in length that provides a unique birding and ecotouring opportunity, by allowing you to travel from the Atlantic Shoreline to the Mosquito Lagoon, noting the changes in vegetation, geology or topography and the wildlife. On the lagoon end of the trail is Castle Windy Midden, a Timucaun Indian shell midden.
GPS N 28 53.903 W 80 48.215
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