Historically used as agricultural land since the 1800s, Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park was purchased by the state to protect this precious waterway.
Extending over 150 miles along the Atlantic Coast, the Indian River Lagoon is an incredibly diverse coastal ecosystem, providing habitats for dozens of endangered species.
Peeking into a cove on the lagoonSince acquiring the property in the early 2000s, park staff have focused on restoring the property to a more natural state by removing invasive species and allowing tidewater to flow from the lagoon into impounded areas.
The trails are open to hiking and biking, consisting of dirt roads that lead out to a pond and impoundments alongside the lagoon.
A crisscrossing network of mowed paths intersect the main road, allowing multiple ways to explore the park.
The paths are limerock and sandResources
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Overview
Location: Melbourne Beach
Length: 3 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 27.937111, -80.497667
Address: Old Florida Trail, Melbourne Beach
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 321-984-4852
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Picnic table provided. Mosquito repellent recommended.
At the end of Old Florida Trail is Honest John’s Fish Camp, an excellent place to launch from or to join a guided tour along this mangrove shore from the water.
Directions
From the intersection of US 192 and US 1 in Melbourne, take the bridge over the Indian River to A1A and turn right. Continue south on A1A for 11.7 miles before turning right onto Old Florida Trail. The park entrance is on the right side of the road in 0.4 mile. From the intersection of SR 510 and US 1 in Wabasso, take the bridge over the Indian River to A1A, and turn left. Continue north on A1A for 13.4 miles before turning left onto Old Florida Trail.
Hike
Starting at the designated entrance, head through a gap in the fence, following the main access road northward.
Cabbage palms and various shrubs surround the trail, covered with moonflower vines that sport large white flowers early in the morning.
In a tenth of a mile, an inviting picnic table sits under the shade of a pair of oaks.
Trailside picnic spotAt a bend in the trail around 0.2 mile, clusters of dune sunflowers emerge from the grassy landscape. Bright yellow blooms face the direction of the sun as it crosses the sky.
At 0.4 mile, numerous mowed pathways begin to intersect the main trail as it turns to the west.
Dune sunflowersStay to the right at a junction of access roads in a quarter mile, following the sandy corridor as mangroves begin to flank the left side of the trail.
The road loops around, reaching another intersection at 1.3 miles. Turn right and continue down an impoundment berm for 0.1 mile for a panorama of Snag Harbor and the Indian River Lagoon.
Snag HarborFrom this point, the impoundment trail leads northward for a half mile before reaching a connector to the trail system in neighboring Maritime Hammock Sanctuary.
Turning around at the lagoon view, stay to the right at the trail junction, traveling along a winding pathway lined with mangroves and sea oxeyes.
Mangrove pathwayHidden in the mangrove jungle, wading birds squawk and splash in the swampy landscapes.
Turning left at an intersection near the two mile mark, the trail passes a bench and shallow artificial pond, a great spot for birding.
Shallow pondContinuing east, take a right in a quarter mile to explore one of the mowed paths leading through a restoration area. Butterflies float across the path as songbirds dart between countless cabbage palms.
At 2.5 miles, turn right to follow a side loop that provides views of a salt marsh habitat at the south end of the trails.
Making another right onto the main trail at 2.8 miles, head south for 0.2 mile before returning to the trailhead.
Edge of the salt marshTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Indian River Lagoon State Park
Nearby Adventures
Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Protecting a strip of waterfront and maritime hammock along the Indian River Lagoon, Maritime Hammock Sanctuary showcases a parade of coastal habitats along its trails.
Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary Home to a gentle mile loop through coastal habitats on the Barrier Island Trail, Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary is a gateway to Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.
Coconut Point Sanctuary Call it the Ocean-to-Lagoon Hike: this 1 mile loop through one of Brevard County's most diverse natural lands connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne Beach
Sebastian Inlet State Park One of few places where the Indian River Lagoon mingles with the Atlantic Ocean, Sebastian Inlet is the central feature of a state park protecting the tips of both barrier islands.
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026