Within this beautiful oceanfront natural area, a deeply shaded walk tunnels into a tropical canopy of sea grapes, gumbo limbo, strangler fig, and sugarberry.
Creaking and groaning in a perpetual sea breeze, the roar of the surf in the background, it’s a short but unique hike at an Atlantic Ocean beach.
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Overview
Location: South Hutchinson Island
Length: 0.3 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.326032,-80.229703
Address: 7600 S Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: St. Lucie County
Phone: 772-462-1522
Open dawn to dusk. No pets.
Directions
From US 1 in Jensen Beach, follow Jensen Beach Blvd (SR 732) east to A1A. Drive north on A1A 4.5 miles to the park entrance on the ocean side of the highway.
Hike
The trail starts from the north side of the parking area. Take the first left to follow the nature trail, following the black arrows and red blazes past interpretive posts.
As you wander through the tunnels of sea grapes, notice the textures of fallen leaves on the forest floor.
The trail is a natural fun house of tight passageways between the trees. Finally, it drops to the left and leaves the sea behind.
For its finale, work your way through a breezeway of palms and willows to return to the parking area.
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
Blind Creek Park Spanning from the Indian River Lagoon to the ocean, Blind Creek includes a windswept Atlantic beach along the remote central part of South Hutchinson Island with a mile and a half of wild shoreline.
Walton Scrub Preserve Explore the high ground between the bluffs above the Indian River Lagoon and the basin marshes of Savannas Preserve State Park atop the Atlantic Coastal Ridge.
Savannas Hawks Bluff Trail Scramble up and down the Atlantic Coastal Ridge on this hike with scenic views of the southern end of the freshwater basin marshes stretching from Fort Pierce to Jensen Beach.
Savannas White Trail South Immerse in a vast pine savanna on a walk to the southern edge of the freshwater basin marshes protected by Savannas Preserve State Park.
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