Queens Island Preserve

Edging mangrove swamps and the uplands directly behind them along the Indian River Lagoon, Queens Island Preserve is long and linear and usually soggy.

One of the most important reasons for its preservation was the discovery of mounds of shell and sand providing clues to an ancient culture living along the lagoon.

Trails traverse a mix of lowlying coastal habitats

Some of the mounds contained burials and broken pottery dating to the Glades period, 500 BC to 1513 AD.

Although the preserve is under the protection of South Florida Water Management District, it is managed by the St. Lucie Mosquito Control District.

The trailhead near the archaeological site and launch is where our hike starts

The trail system is unusual in that it has a lot of dead ends off a linear main trail. Perhaps plans for connecting them with boardwalks have not yet followed through.

One drive-in access point with two trailheads serves as a starting point for walking the preserve and two companion tracts.

The preserve includes a central lagoon with an observation deck

With its own separate trail system, Queens Island Preserve North lies north of an observation pier off the East Coast Greenway.

Across A1A, Queens Island Park provides beach access. It’s managed by St. Lucie County and has picnic tables you can reserve.

The East Coast Greenway bike path paralleling A1A provides the main connector between all segments of this preserve and access to Queens Island Park.

Use the East Coast Greenway to reach Queens Island Preserve North

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: North Hutchinson Island
Length: 1.1 miles
Trailhead: 27.518228, -80.310948
Address: 4743 N Hwy A1A, Fort Pierce
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land Manager: St. Lucie Mosquito Control District
Phone: 772-462-2526

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome except at Queens Island Park beach.

Expect mucky trails after a rain and during high tides. Due to marl mud, footpaths can be slippery; a hiking stick is recommended.

There is little shade and a lot of mangrove swamp. Use insect repellent and sun protection.

Directions

From Interstate 95 exit 131 in Fort Pierce, take Orange Ave (CR 68) for 4.5 miles to US 1. Follow US 1 north for 1.7 miles. Turn right on A1A and cross the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. Past the entrance to Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, A1A makes a 90-degree turn north. Continue north 2.5 miles to the turn in on the left. At the split in the entrance road, the left turn heads to the canoe launch with a large parking area, while the right turn enters a very small parking area. We started our hike from the larger lot near the lagoon. Both lots are unpaved and can be mucky.

Hike

Across the parking area from the launch and signage for the Queens Island Midden, start at a large sign at a walk-in gap next to a gate.

On the park map, it’s called Trailhead “H.” Immediately meeting a T intersection, turn left.

Trailhead entrance

The broad path passes a marker post as it swings around a corner busy with cabbage palms. This spur quickly ends a wall of sea grapes.

Retreat past the trailhead to continue on the main trail. White mangroves tower along the footpath.

A mass of sea oxeye, a salt-loving sunflower, edges both sides of the trail.

Broad sand path with greenery both sides

Path edged by sea oxeye

At the next trail junction, turn left. The shell-flecked path narrows to enter a tunnel through the mangroves, crossing a wide boardwalk.

Dark waters flow between mangrove roots. Past a marker post, this spur ends at a bench facing a wall of young white mangroves.

First boardwalk

Retreat to the main trail and turn left. A patch of sand cordgrass provides a change of texture in a marshy thicket along the treeline separating the trail from the park road.

At the next T intersection, the trail to the right enters the woods and leads directly to the main trailhead along A1A. Turn left.

Curve past trail junction

Rounding a curve past a large ficus tree, the corridor narrows at the ecotone between mangrove forest and tropical hammock.

Beyond a wide boardwalk through the mangroves at 0.2 miles, meet a T intersection. Turn left.

Second boardwalk

Labeled Trail G on the preserve map, this is another out-and-back off the main trail.

The slightly winding pathway sticks close to a wall of mangrove fringing a creek just out of view.

Coastal plain

Opposite is a coastal plain carpeted with sea oxeye, sea purslane, and salt-loving grasses. Skinny cabbage palms wave in the breeze.

Round a slight corner to cross a boardwalk over the creek under the shade of the mangroves.

Third boardwalk

Curving past mangroves and sea grapes, wax myrtle and cabbage palms, the footpath gets tackier as it draws closer to the lagoon floodplain.

Pass a marker post and enter the coastal plain again. When this spur trail ends at a bench, turn around and retrace your steps.

Edge of the coastal plain

At a half mile, meet the trail intersection where you started down it. Continue straight ahead into the tropical hammock.

Emerge onto the East Coast Greenway bike path along A1A, facing Queens Island Park across the road, a wild oceanfront access point. There is no crosswalk.

East Coast Greenway

Turn left to walk north along the bike path. Within a tenth of a mile, make a left onto the accessible boardwalk at the Observation Pier sign.

Crossing a densely foliated tropical hammock, transition into the mangrove forest at a turn near an interpretive sign.

Boardwalk to the lagoon

A straightaway leads into the sun, extending out over a small lagoon and ending at an observation deck with a bench.

Mangroves line this large lagoon. Condos rise above them to the north. Returning to the bike path, you’ve walked 0.8 miles.

Lagoon with condos towering above large mangroves

Lagoon at the end of the boardwalk

This is your decision point. A walk north along the path is the only way to reach the walk-in trailhead at Queens Island Preserve North to add another 1.1 miles.

Queens Island Preserve North Part of the larger Queens Island Preserve along the Indian River Lagoon, the trail system of Queens Island Preserve North has a separate entrance and loop off the East Coast Greenway.

To return to the Queens Island Preserve trailhead where you started, or to visit the beach across A1A (no crosswalk provided) walk south instead.

Use either the footpath you exited or the exit of the trailhead along A1A to return to the main trail in the preserve, backtracking to Trailhead H for a 1.1 mile hike.

Beach entrance signs at path into tropical forest

Walk-in entrance for beach across A1A

Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

A walk through Queens Island Preserve

Slideshow

See our photos from Queens Island Preserve

Nearby Adventures

Jack Island Preserve State Park A cluster of mangrove islands in the Indian River Lagoon, Jack Island Preserve north of Fort Pierce Inlet is a perfect destination for birding.

Lush tropical coastal hammock with footpath

Fort Pierce Inlet Coastal Hammock Trail Contrast immersive habitats in a seaside tropical hammock with expansive views along Fort Pierce Inlet on this easy 1.3 mile loop centered on the Coastal Hammock Trail.

Round Island Oceanfront Park Learn the story of one of Florida's more important roles during World War II along a wave-strummed shoreline halfway between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce Inlet.

View of mangrove islands in lagoon from tower with bench

Round Island Riverside Park Trails, boardwalks, and a boat launch on Round Island provide excellent opportunities to explore coastal habitats and spot manatees in the Indian River Lagoon.

Official Website