Named after the longtime residents of the farm encompassed by the preserve, Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area protects over 90 acres of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge.
Purchased by Indian River County and the Florida Communities Trust in 2002, the property has been a focus of many restoration efforts.
One of the more important is the preservation of extremely rare mints only found in a few places within St. Lucie and Indian River Counties.
Well-marked trails traverse a variety of natural communities from sand pine forest to scrubby flatwoods and mesic hammocks.
Near the trailhead, a side path leads from the picnic area to the Hallstrom House, which is maintained by the Indian River County Historical Society.
This hike focuses on the ancient dunes of the Atlantic Coastal RidgeResources
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Overview
Location: Vero Beach
Length: 1.4 miles
Trailhead: 27.572250, -80.376028
Address: 1605 Old Dixie Hwy SW, Vero Beach
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At the trailhead
Land manager: Indian River County
Phone: 772-567-8000
Open 7:30 AM – sunset, leashed dogs welcome. The Hallstrom House is open Sundays from 1-4 PM and Wednesdays 10 AM-4 PM.
Directions
From Interstate 95 between Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, head east on Indrio Rd for 3 miles before turning left onto Kings Hwy. In 2.7 miles, make a left at US 1, and continue 1.2 miles to Highland Dr. Turn left. Take the first right onto Old Dixie Hwy, and the entrance to the park will be on left side of the road in 0.4 mile.
Hike
Beginning at the circular parking area, look to the south for a large information kiosk with paper trail maps.
A crushed shell pathway leads past the trailhead sign and picnic pavilion to a fork in the trail.
At it, an interpretive display provides details about extensive restoration efforts undertaken in the park alongside historic aerial photos.
Trailhead kioskStay to the right, following yellow trail markers as the path snakes westward across an open area dotted with cabbage palms.
Although this portion of the property was utilized as farmland for dozens of years, planted shrubs and wildflowers have begun to take root.
It’s a big step in returning to the environment to a more natural state. Along the route, unique spinning signs display information about plants that are native to the area.
Native plant rotating signApproaching an intersection at a quarter mile, the trail climbs onto a ridge of orange tinted soils topped with sand pine, scrub hickory and hog plum.
Turn right, following a wide corridor through the pines as the trail winds westward and begins a descent into scrubby flatwoods habitat.
Sand pine scrubAt the bottom of the hill, a majestic live oak stretches contorted boughs overhead, casting plentiful shade as a strewn pathway winds southward.
Palmettos, ferns, and shrubby oaks strung with grapevines border the trail where low spots could be potentially inundated after heavy rains.
Live oak in the hammockA sturdy boardwalk spans remnant wetlands at 0.7 mile in an area where the base of ancient dunes historically held abundant water before a nearby canal changed the hydrology.
Frogs chirp alongside the shallow pond as wading birds pick through tall grasses, searching for a meal.
Wetland boardwalkNearing the one mile mark, follow yellow marked posts as they lead across a sandy expanse that was once the site of a mining operation.
Enter a sand pine forest on the opposite side. Fragrant Lakela’s mints cluster alongside the path, producing showy pink flowers in late autumn.
Returning to the crushed shell loop at 1.2 miles, continue east a quarter mile, passing a large picnic pavilion on the way back to the trailhead.
Endangered mint habitatTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
Indrio Scrub Preserve Atop the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Indrio Scrub Preserve is a place where unique scrub species thrive. A short interpretive loop trail leads through the preserve.
Indrio Savannahs Preserve A haven for wildlife dependent on fresh water savannas scarcely a mile west of the Indian River Lagoon, Indrio Savannahs illustrates a success story in habitat restoration.
D.J. Wilcox Preserve Discover the natural beauty of a mosaic of habitats nourished by a freshwater spring near the Indian River Lagoon at what was once the town of Indrio.
Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area Lush tropical hammocks, great birding, and a dash of history along the Indian River Lagoon make Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area a diverse and interesting place to explore.
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