South Florida's Greenways and Trails
Blackwater River/Royal Palm Hammock Canoe Trail
The trail passes through hardwood hammocks that contain
the rare Florida royal palm, as well as through large
stands of white mangroves, and salt marshes.
Highlands
Hammock State Park Trails
When Florida’s state park system was established
in 1935, Highlands Hammock was one of four original
state parks created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
This jewel is home to beautiful virgin hardwood hammock
forest. Enhancing the diversity of experience for
trail-goers, the park also encompasses other natural
communities, including cypress swamp, pine flatwoods,
sand pine scrub, bayheads and marsh.
Jonathan
Dickinson State Park Trails
This state park, west of Hobe Sound, is nearly 11,500
acres of pine scrub, pine flatwoods and cypress sloughs.
The rare coastal sand pine scrub community which makes
up 20 percent of the park is considered a “globally
imperiled” biological community. The Loxahatchee
River, which runs through the southwest portion of
the park, is Florida’s first federally designated
Wild and Scenic River. The park offers a variety of
trail experiences, appealing to hikers, bikers, equestrians
and paddlers.
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Designated as a segment of the Florida National Scenic
Trail, this trail circles the second largest freshwater
lake in the contiguous United States. The trail itself
is located atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, which surrounds
the lake for flood protection, and provides views
ranging from scenic lakeside to working agricultural
landscapes. It also takes users near and through communities
that are at the heart of agriculture in this part
of the state, such as Clewiston and Belle Glade. The
area affords opportunities for viewing wildlife, particularly
in fall and winter, when birds such as herons, egrets,
and a variety of wintering waterfowl are abundant.
And of course, fishing opportunities are endless.
Loxahatchee
River Canoe Trail
This is also the first river in Florida designated
as a National Wild and Scenic River. The coffee-colored
Loxahatchee meanders through a subtropical river swamp.
The Seminole’s named the river “Loxahatchee”,
which means river of turtles. Bald cypress, pond apple,
orchid, and fern line the bank. Heron and osprey fly
overhead. Wildlife to watch include otter, raccoon,
alligator, bobcat and, as the river’s name suggests,
turtles basking in the sun. Along the trail in the
state park is Trapper Nelson’s cabin, an interpretive
site where you can learn about this interesting character. |
