Florida Hikes

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

Low palmettos edged by palms and oaks

Sheraton Scrub Preserve

Explore an easy loop in scrubby uplands in residential Fort Pierce to search for scrub-jays from ground level and from an observation tower.

Fort Pierce (27.472758, -80.365796)   0.8 miles  

Sandy uplands sandwiched between two creeks edged by subdivisions make up this 56 acre preserve northwest of downtown Fort Pierce.

Managed as scrub-jay habitat, it has a hiking loop around its central section with side trails to adjoining neighborhoods and an adjacent community park.

From the observation tower, you can watch the activity in the scrub below.

Box-shaped tree tunnel under oaks Tunnel effect in oak scrub

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in South Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Fort Pierce
Length: 0.8 miles
Trailhead: 27.472758, -80.365796
Address: 2222 North 41st St, Fort Pierce
Fees: Free
Restroom: At nearby Sheraton Plaza Recreation Area
Land Manager: St. Lucie County
Phone: 772-462-2526

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet. Use insect repellent for seasonal ticks.

Directions


 
From the junction of US 1 and SR 68 in downtown Fort Pierce, drive north 1.9 miles. Make a left onto Juanita Ave. Continue west 1.9 miles to the trailhead on the left at N 41st St.

Hike

Pick up a brochure at the trailhead kiosk and start your hike by slipping through the walk-in stile adjoining it.

In a tight corridor defined within an expanse of saw palmetto, the footpath curves past stringers of smilax and draping grapevines. Bracken ferns adjoin mounds of pennyroyal.

Large kiosk with map and brochures Trailhead kiosk

Curving into a stand of short oaks, emerge at a Y intersection signaling the start of the loop. Bear left to visit the observation tower.

It’s a straight-shot flight of stairs up to an elevated platform with a panorama across the low scrub making up the center of this preserve.

Observation tower with staircase Observation tower

Since neighborhoods adjoin in every direction, rotochopping is used instead of prescribed burns to keep the scrub low.

The tall pines on the preserve perimeter hide a canal and an expanse of houses beyond.

Railing and view beyond View from the tower

Scramble back down and return to the junction, turning left for a counterclockwise circuit of the loop.

As it draws closer to the southern boundary, slash pines with rounded tops tower over the riot of undergrowth.

Path in scrub aiming towards tall pines Sandy path

Enter a curve under shade cast by oaks, the white sand carpeted with pine duff and oak leaves. The scrub understory forms thick walls on both sides of the footpath.

Past Marker 5, pines dominate the trail’s edge as it skims the boundary fence. Follow the edge of the scrubby flatwoods, reaching a Y intersection halfway through the hike.

Pines overhanging path along open area with palmettos Boundary walk

The right fork makes a beeline east along the boundary to a walk-in trailhead out of the southwest corner of adjoining Sheraton Plaza Recreation Area.

Take the left fork to stay on the loop, walking through a crowded thicket of understory under the oaks.

Pathway tunneling through scrub oaks Thicket of scrub

Curve left along a sweep of silver-tinged saw palmetto. Jogging through alleyways of saw palmetto with the feel of a garden maze, meet another obvious trail junction at 0.5 mile.

If you haven’t spotted any scrub-jays yet, take a short walk down this side path. It emerges at a broad fire break along a large swath of scrub, another birding spot.

Narrow path between palms leading to open area Side path

Return to the main loop, which now curves to face west, running through the middle of a large expanse of scrub.

Past an ancient saw palmetto at Marker 10, the footpath weaves into a welcome patch of shade, the oak hammock edging the observation tower.

Oaks crowding sandy path Oak hammock

Reach the turnoff to it again just before the loop ends. Turn right to exit. A boxy tunnel effect frames the trail.

Depart the hammock for the open scrub. Return to the trailhead to complete a 0.8 mile hike.

Sandy path in scrub Climbing towards the trailhead

Trail Map

Sheraton Scrub Preserve Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

Hiking Sheraton Scrub Preserve

Slideshow

See our photos from Sheraton Scrub Preserve

Nearby Adventures

Wetlands with pine forest on far shore Indrio Savannahs Preserve A haven for wildlife dependent on fresh water savannas scarcely a mile west of the Indian River Lagoon, Indrio Savannahs illustrates a success story in habitat restoration.
Red blaze on tree in oak hammock D.J. Wilcox Preserve Discover the natural beauty of a mosaic of habitats nourished by a freshwater spring near the Indian River Lagoon at what was once the town of Indrio.
Garden with greenhouse Heathcote Botanical Gardens At the old Crimmins Nursery in Fort Pierce, Heathcote Botanical Gardens makes for a peaceful retreat with meandering pathways through themed plantings.
Path through mature live oak hammock Sweetwater Hammock Preserve Marvel at the botanical beauty of a mature live oak hammock on this short nature trail loop to a bluff along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Official Website

Sandra Friend
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