With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Lake Okeechobee to the west, Martin County is truly a playground in Paradise.
If enjoying the outdoors and exciting activities rank high on your list of things to do, then Martin County is the place for you; offering a vast array of sports, beaches and parks, golf courses, water and equestrian activities.
Natural splendors abound in Martin County. Water activities include boating, snorkeling and diving, surfing, fishing and walking the beach. From hitting the high seas in your own boat to taking a sailing lesson or joining a crew for a day on a fishing charter, there is a water sport for every level of desired activity. For the landlubbers, Martin County offers miles of trails and nature parks for hiking, picnicking or just enjoying the fresh air.
It’s easy to get back to nature at the numerous environmentally protected areas, including Dupuis and Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management areas and Barley Barber Swamp. DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875 acre protected area in southwestern Martin County. Recreational opportunities include hunting, horseback riding, cycling, camping, hiking, and fishing. Allapattah Flats anchors 20,945 acres of marshes and slash pine flatwoods. Recreational opportunities include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, primitive camping, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Below are more nature preserves which can be enjoyed any time of the year!
ATLANTIC RIDGE PRESERVE STATE PARK
8120 S.E. Paulson Ave., Stuart 34997
(772) 546-2771
Rustic nature reserve offering hiking & horseback-riding trails through pine woods, palms & marshes.
DELAPLANE RESERVE
6084 S.W. Gaines Ave., Stuart 34997
(772) 288-5400
51-acre nature preserve along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, with access from Gaines Avenue and SW Linden Street. Amenities include parking, picnic tables, quarter mile nature trail, fishing dock and canoe/kayak launch. Delaplane Preserve is also home to the gopher tortoise.
GOMEZ PRESERVE
7159 S.E. Golfhouse Dr., Hobe Sound 33455
(772) 288-5400
61-acre preserve that is accessible as a direct connection to the East Coast Greenway that traverses through the Seabranch Preserve State Park and located 4.5 miles south of the St. Lucie Inlet, along the Indian River Lagoon. No parking is available, however, the site can be reached by hiking or biking along the Greenway. Amenities include a chickee with picnic tables, shellrock fitness trail with exercise stations and a covered bench. The property is home to raccoons, bobcats, gopher tortoise, osprey and song birds.
HALPATIOKEE REGIONAL PARK
8303 S.W. Lost River Rd., Stuart 34997
(772) 221-1419
The landscape varies from pine flatwoods, oak hammock, scrub and river land. The property includes approximately four miles of river frontage on the west side of the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The park’s miles of hiking trails, biking trails, paddling trails and riverside primitive campsite provide high-quality nature-based recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The primitive campsite can be accessible through hiking about a 3/4 of a mile with all supplies. The campsite’s amenities include a picnic bench and fire pit. There are no bathrooms, running water or electricity. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and explore the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, or you may also rent them.
HANEY CREEK TRAIL, WATERSHED AND DOG PARK
391 N.W. Baker Road, Stuart 34994
(772) 288-5300
The Haney Creek Watershed Protection and Improvement Program re-created the natural wetlands and flow through swamps that once cleansed stormwater runoff before it entered the St. Lucie River. The watershed invites visitors to enjoy its walking trails, picnic pavillion and to see native wildlife.
HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE & NATURE CENTER
13640 S.E. Federal Hwy., Hobe Sound 33455
(772) 546-6141 or (772) 546-2067
The two separate parcels of the 1,100-acre refuge include three miles of beach and a mainland site with nature trails and an exhibit hall. Special events are conducted year-round, including lectures, guided hikes, sea turtle walks and a nature camp for children.
HOBE SOUND SCRUB PRESERVE
S.E. Dixie Hwy., Hobe Sound 33455
(772) 288-5400
28-acre ecological gem located south of Bridge Road, with entrance on S.E. Dixie Highway extending west to U.S. #1. The preserve is almost entirely comprised of rare sand pine scrub habitat, which supports a wide variety of rare species including the threatened Scrub Jays. It is located on an ancient sand dune that formed when most of Florida was under the ocean over 100,000 years ago. Amenities include parking, a picnic pavilion, shaded bench and outdoor exercise station.
JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK
16450 S.E. Federal Hwy., Hobe Sound 33455
(772) 546-2771
At 10,500 acres and home to sixteen distinct natural plant communities, Jonathan Dickinson is the largest state park in southeast Florida. Amenities include numerous hiking trails, camping, backpacking, canoeing/kayaking wildlife viewing, tours and more.
KIPLINGER NATURE PRESERVE
4146 S. Kanner Hwy., Stuart 34997
(772) 288-5400
157-acre natural area located just south of Veteran’s Memorial Bridge in Stuart, Florida. The balance of the tract is the northern two-thirds of a long narrow mangrove fringed island in the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. Together, the island and mainland parcels include almost three miles of riverfront. The preserve features freshwater and mangrove swamps, wet prairie and estuarine/river, with healthy stands of sand pine, scrub oak, pine and scrubby flatwoods. A mixture of wildlife also call this area home including blue heron, snowy egret, the golden-silk spider, raccoons, alligators and other creatures native to south Florida. In addition to the picturesque hiking trail with three footbridges, other features include public parking and a floating dock for fishing opportunities or launching a kayak or canoe.
SAVANNAS PRESERVE STATE PARK-HAWK’S BLUFF TRAIL
4698 N.E. Savannah Rd., Jensen Beach 34957
(772) 398-2779
Large coastal savanna reserve featuring canoeing & kayaking, fishing, trails, picnicking & more.
SEABRANCH PRESERVE STATE PARK TRAILHEAD
6093 S.E. Dixie Hwy., Stuart 34997
(772) 219-1880
The East Coast Greenway-Seabranch Trail is part of the comprehensive trail system that extends from Maine to Key West. The trail is multi-use recreational.
LUCIE INLET STATE PARK
4810 S.E. Cove Rd., Stuart 34997
(772) 219-1880
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a Florida State Park east of Port Salerno on the northern end of Jupiter Island and is accessible only by boat. Activities include snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and picnicking and wildlife viewing.
Martin County is more than the “Sailfish Capital” of the World. It is home to a growing group of equestrians who appreciate the low density and animal friendly atmosphere. In Western Martin County you will find a diverse group of equestrian disciplines, including dressage, showjumping, polo, thoroughbred racing, western pleasure and more. There are well run boarding facilities which offer lessons which teach the correct footing for each specific discipline, as well as privately owned farms which offer boarding.
For fun times with friends and family, Martin County features two bowling alleys, billiards clubs, two movie complexes, a children’s museum, the Elliott Museum and Florida Oceanographic Center, which are located across the street from each other on Hutchinson Island.
Sailfish Splash Waterpark provides aquatic recreation for all ages. The two-acre waterplay area features a lazy river, two 40-foot-high water slides, zero depth entry, a water playground with jets, sprays, slides and dump bucket. A shaded picnic area, competitive swimming and diving pool add to the park’s many amenities.
With 37 years of service to the community, the YMCA of the Treasure Coast operates five YMCA facilities:
The YMCA’s mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Financial assistance is available to any person who cannot afford the full price for YMCA programs or membership. YMCA programs are available to men, women and children of every age, race, religion, income and ability. The YMCA of the Treasure Coast strives to answer the diverse and various needs of our communities through continuous program development and outreach. Visit their website for more information at https://www.ymcatreasurecoast.org/.
If you would rather watch than participate, various spectator sports are available throughout the area and can be enjoyed all year long. If baseball is your game, you can get your fill at both Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter and Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
Roger Dean Stadium is the spring training home to the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins, along with Class A-Advanced affilliates, the Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads.
Clover Park is the spring training facility for the New York Mets and home to the St. Lucie Mets minor league team.
Martin County is home to the Babe Ruth World Series, which takes place during the summer, and hosts more than 15,000 players worldwide competing for the title of Babe Ruth World Series Champion.
If a good old fashioned rodeo is your thing, don’t miss the annual Indiantown Rodeo, which takes place in October.
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