An island of nature amid dense suburban growth, Kiplinger Preserve protects 164 acres a few miles south of downtown Stuart.
While dense scrubby flatwoods make up much of the uplands, a grand strand of tall pines rises within a few paces of mangrove swamps.
Healthy longleaf pinesA spur trail tunnels out to a river landing through the mangroves, and bog boardwalks convey visitors along freshwater marshes.
An easy loop leads 1.2 miles around the perimeter of the preserve, making use of boardwalks and bridges to cross wetland areas.
Boardwalk crossing a brackish marshResources
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Overview
Location: Palm City
Length: 1.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.15644, -80.24642
Address: 4146 S Kanner Hwy, Stuart
Fees: None
Restroom: None
Land manager: Martin County
Phone: 772-288-5927
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed pets welcome.
Directions
From US 1 in downtown Stuart, turn south on SR 78, Kanner Hwy, and drive 2.5 miles. The preserve is on the right immediately after the Veterans Bridge to Palm City. From Interstate 95 exit 101 for Kanner Hwy, follow SR 78 north for 3.6 miles, passing the light for Veterans Bridge. Make a U-turn and return to the preserve entrance past the bridge.
Hike
At the parking area, aim for the kiosk at the south end, adjoining the bike rack. It displays a map of the loop on a satellite photo.
Start your hike here, walking clockwise. The trail begins along the preserve’s south perimeter, where rooftops of an adjoining condo complex peek over the trees.
Trail kiosk with mapThe trail starts off as a sandy path in pine flatwoods. A short boardwalk crosses the edge of a large flatwoods pond.
Look off to the right to be rewarded with a panorama of the wet prairie and its pond. Wading birds gather here to find their meals.
Flatwoods pondThe understory of the pine flatwoods becomes denser. The well-worn trail crosses a bog boardwalk over a fern-filled swale near the condos.
After the trail gains a little elevation, longleaf pines tower over a scrubby understory.
Tall longleaf pinesDetaching from the property line and its views of condos, the broad trail tunnels into the forest.
It narrows as loblolly bay and tropical shrubs dominate the understory, signaling damper habitats surrounding the trail.
Thicket of tropical hammockCross a raised boardwalk over a marsh dense with giant leather fern. Beyond it, thickets of scrub create a corridor on both sides.
Reaching a clearing with a picnic table at 0.6 mile, head for the opening in the mangroves to find the river boardwalk.
Interpretive signs at the picnic tableEntirely shaded by the canopy of mangroves, it winds through this fascinating forest to meet the St. Lucie River at a landing.
The floating landing offers a view of the mangrove island in the river that is part of this preserve, as well as the Veterans Bridge to the north.
The St. Lucie RiverWatch for diving cormorants, fishing boats, and mangrove crabs traversing the network of tangled mangrove limbs.
Return along the boardwalk through the mangrove swamp to the clearing and turn left.
The broad boardwalk to the riverShaded by oaks, the trail reaches a second boardwalk through the mangroves, lifting the path above potential flooding.
Curving through the dense mangrove forest, it crosses a flowing stream.
Looking down into the mangrovesBack on dry ground and bounded by ferns, the trail passes marsh mallow as it curves past royal palms on a small ridge.
Gaining elevation, it returns to the pine flatwoods for the remainder of the loop.
Royal palms top a ridge above the mangrove swampThe hike is near its end when you see the roof of a chickee up ahead, a picnic pavilion adjoining a waterway where a hand launch is planned.
Follow the curve of the path away from the canal to reach the parking area after 1.2 miles.
Final leg of this short hikeTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking at Kiplinger Preserve
Slideshow
See our photos of Kiplinger Preserve
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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Halpatiokee Regional Park
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Maggy’s Hammock Park
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Seabranch Preserve State Park
Find a wonderland of white sand and small shrubs at Seabranch Preserve State Park, which protects a sand pine scrub and more along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge