Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Marshy pond rimmed with pines

Kiplinger Preserve

Tunnel through mangroves after pausing to watch birds in a freshwater wetland in this habitat-rich preserve along the St. Lucie River.

Stuart (27.15644, -80.24642)   1.2 miles  

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.

Path among large pines Healthy longleaf pines

A 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 and giant ferns Boardwalk crossing a brackish marsh

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in South Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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: 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.

White sand path in pine forest

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 condo beyond it Trail kiosk with map

The 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.

Big marshy prairie pond Flatwoods pond

The 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.

Pines under blue sky Tall longleaf pines

Detaching 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.

Narrowing trail in tropical forest Thicket of tropical hammock

Cross 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.

Picnic table, clearing, and boardwalk Interpretive signs at the picnic table

Entirely 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.

Blue water with sailboat behind channel marker The St. Lucie River

Watch 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.

Boardwalk under mangrove canopy The broad boardwalk to the river

Shaded 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.

Mangrove stems and leaves Looking down into the mangroves

Back 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 on a ridge Royal palms top a ridge above the mangrove swamp

The 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.

View of palm thatch roof over trees Final leg of this short hike

Trail Map

Kiplinger Preserve Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

Hiking at Kiplinger Preserve

Slideshow

See our photos of Kiplinger Preserve

Nearby Adventures

White path through pine woods with dense understory Delaplane Preserve An easy trail through pine flatwoods and mangrove marsh leads to an overlook at the confluence of waterways.
Halpatiokee river platform Halpatiokee Regional Park Beyond its prominent ballfields, Halpatiokee Regional Park hides a rich network of hiking, off-road biking, and paddling trails along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Inside a tropical hammock Maggy’s Hammock Park Formerly known as Rocky Point Hammock, Maggy’s Hammock Park protects 22 acres of lush tropical forest and scrub on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in Port Salerno.
Trail sign and paved path 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.

Trail Map Official Website

Sandra Friend
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