Established in 1995, Walton Scrub Preserve encompasses 33 acres of high ground between the Indian River Lagoon and a long line of basin marshes inside Savannas Preserve State Park.
It is contiguous to but does not connect to the park as a rail line between them carries 32 high-speed commuter trains a day.
Expect to be startled at some point in your hike by the sudden appearance of the train or the sound of its horn on its approach to Walton Rd.
A soft path through a mix of scrubThe preserve protects an outstanding example of scrub habitat along a slender slice of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge.
Among the rarer plants here are Savannas mint, an endemic Dicerandra; largeflower false rosemary; and fragrant prickly apple, a cactus used by ancient peoples as a food source.
Largeflower false rosemaryResources
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Overview
Location: Walton
Length: 0.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.30759, -80.25899
Address: 10809 S Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: St. Lucie County
Phone: 772-462-2526
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. No bicycles. The trail draws close to the rail line in a few spots. Do not approach it.
Directions
From Interstate 95 exit 120 in Port St. Lucie, follow Crosstown Parkway east for 7 miles to US 1. Turn south. Drive half a mile and get in the left lane for the light at Walton Rd. Turn left and continue 2.6 miles, passing both the entrance to Savannas Preserve State Park and the turnoff to Green River Parkway. Use caution crossing the high-speed railroad tracks just before Walton Rd ends at a T with Indian River Dr. Turn left and proceed 0.7 mile to the signposted trailhead on the left.
Hike
Begin adjacent to the trailhead kiosk, entering a tunnel of tropical forest with some not-so-native snake plants defining the path and a macadamia tree overhead.
Once part of a pioneer homestead where pineapples were grown, the preserve has pockets of fruit trees and decorative plants in addition to its native ones.
Start of the trailAt the first junction, bear left to follow the loop clockwise, walking on soft white sand between the scrub oaks and grapevines.
Pass the first of a series of trail markers keyed to an interpretive brochure for the plants along this walk, which may be available at the kiosk.
Marker 1Looking like Florida rosemary from a distance, a lone woody shrub dominates an open sandy area with crisscrossing paths.
On closer inspection, it is wasn’t a species we’re familiar with, but has the characteristics of desert willow (Chiliopsis linearis) which surprisingly is native to Florida.
What we think may be desert willowStay on the path to the left of it, which winds past an out-of-place cabbage palm in this desert-like setting and into a sand pine scrub.
A green arrow marker on a post points out the correct path at the next junction.
Curve with markerImmerse in the welcome shade of a mature oak scrub, scattered sand pines rising above the lower canopy. Silk bay grows in profusion trailside.
A subtle transition occurs, the density of the understory relaxing as the older sand pines dominate.
Walking amid oaks and sand pinesCurving gently through this habitat, it’s a surprise to come face-to-face with railroad tracks at a sharp turn in soft sand.
Turning away, pass Marker 6, wind through sand pine scrub close to the railroad.
Railroad tracksSome of the larger pines within this scrub are nearing the end of their average-seventy-year lifespan.
Sand pine scrub dominates until another a transition into a canopy of mature oaks.
Sand pines in a coastal breezeStraightening out briefly and broadening, the trail passes a marker and gains a little elevation.
Amid a co-mingling of oak leaves with pine duff from the taller sand pines, clusters of largeflower false rosemary sported pale blooms in March.
A mix of pines and oaksOn the next sharp curve, the deep furrow in the sand left by a vehicle used by preserve staff is adjoined by another glimpse of the railroad tracks.
The understory quickly clamps against the trail corridor, easing up at the next two curves.
Furrows on curvesA half mile into the hike, the second curve skims close to the railroad tracks, providing a surprising panorama beyond into Savannas Preserve State Park.
Curving away from the tracks, trace the northern extent of this loop past a sand pine of notable size.
Savannas view across railroadA trail marker in this open sandy area points the way along the narrow path between oaks and pines.
Cabbage palms appear above a thicket of understory, another cluster of largeflower false rosemary nearby.
Notable sand pineSettle into a walk beneath a low oak canopy. Shade-loving plants like wild coffee, marlberry, and swarms of ferns belie a wetland, soon confirmed by loblolly bay.
Climb away from this damp corner into a corridor of taller oaks. Look up to see branches swaddled in a broad variety of bromeliads.
Tropical edge near old homesteadEmerge from the forest to cross a power line corridor. Follow the trail markers beyond, winding between oaks and scattered sand pines.
The landscape opens up into the small sandy plain with the sole woody shrub in its center.
Sandy spotFollow the worn path left rather than straight, passing by a cabbage palm near Marker 20.
A brief dive into the shade brings the loop to its conclusion. Turn left to exit, completing a 0.9 mile hike.
The final stretchTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Walton Scrub Preserve
Slideshow
See our photos from Walton Scrub
Nearby Adventures
Savannas Preserve State Park At Savannas Preserve State Park, a grand expanse of wet prairies and pine flatwoods extends across two counties to the west of the Indian River Lagoon.
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.
Haney Creek Preserve Conceptualized to use wetlands for stormwater filtration in a rapidly growing corner of Stuart, Haney Creek Preserve also provides wildlife habitat and recreation.
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