Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area protects a small plot of natural land near the southeast corner of St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park.
Directly east of the trailhead parking area, a ramp leads down to the Sebastian Canoe Launch, where paddlers can access the tidally influenced St. Sebastian River.
Popular with locals, a marked loop trail traverses the property, intersected by the Trans-Florida Central Rail Trail.
Canopied section of the Rail Trail traversing the preserveResources
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Overview
Location: Sebastian
Length: 0.9 miles
Trailhead: 27.770778, -80.508861
Address: 9800 Canoe Launch Cove, Sebastian
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Indian River County
Phone: 772-567-8000
Open 7:30 to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From the intersection of CR 512 and Interstate 95 west of Sebastian, head east on CR 512 for 2.4 miles before turning left onto Water Vliet. In 0.3 mile, make a right onto Canoe Launch Cove, and the parking area will be at the end of the road in 0.1 mile.
Hike
Starting at the paved parking lot, walk southward for 100 feet to reach the trailhead sign and kiosk.
Passing through a gap in the fence, an inviting pathway descends into a subtropical forest of live oaks and cabbage palms.
Trailhead kioskSaw palmettos and wild olive border a sandy corridor as heavy oak limbs arch overhead.
Air plants and resurrection ferns carpet the gnarled branches, thriving in warm, humid conditions provided by the nearby river.
Wild olive in bloomIn less than 0.2 mile, the trail spans a ravine on an impressive bridge with built-in benches.
Across the bridge, stay to the left to begin a loop that circles around the southern portion of the conservation area.
Creek bridge with benchesAscending out of the ravine, the trail narrows while entering a scrubby habitat. At a quarter mile, blue markers change to red.
Cross an intersection with the Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail, a pathway that continues west into St. Sebastian River Preserve, crossing the interstate on an ornate bridge.
Marker at the Trans-Florida Central Railroad TrailSlash pines, beautyberry, and lyonia begin to dot the landscape as the trail winds through an open flatwoods community before crossing the rail trail again at 0.4 mile.
Continuing past the western entrance, blue arrows indicate the way along a wide path leading back towards the ravine.
Lyonia in bloomA profusion of air plants covers the trees where the loop concludes at 0.7 mile near the bridge.
Turning northward to cross the creek, retrace your footsteps along the blue trail as it leads uphill, reaching the trailhead in a little over a tenth of a mile.
Airplant-covered live oaksTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail If you've seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you've probably wondered about it. Here's what we found when we stopped for a ride. 
St. Sebastian Catface Loop Traverse an expanse of prairies and scrub between a creekside hammock and palm hammocks atop tall bluffs on the St. Sebastian River.
North Sebastian Conservation Area An excellent place to spot rare Florida scrub-jays, the trails at North Sebastian Conservation Area explore a variety of wet and dry natural habitats.
Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail An array of wild landscapes is on display along a wide pathway between upland oak forests to a mangrove swamp boardwalk and pier overlooking the Indian River Lagoon.
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026