Please note that access is limited – visitors must contact Jonathan Dickinson State Park at for the gate code. Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park is a tropical paradise of sabal palms, live oak, and wild coffee that provides habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. the gently sloping wetlands of Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park now offer peaceful seclusion from the modern world for the people and wildlife of the St. Lucie River. This 4,886-acre preserve is located between U.S. 1 (Federal Highway) and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Eco-Tip: Know Before You Go (Principle 1): In order to gain access to this beautiful Florida State Park, you need to contact Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 for the gate code.

Visit www.ExploreNaturalMartin.com to register for upcoming programs. "Explore Natural Martin is our award-winning ecotourism program developed in partnership with Leave No Trace. These FREE guided eco-tours are available year-round and change throughout the seasons. Led by local experts, they are designed to promote sustainable tourism and get people exploring the outdoors responsibly. Once your eco-tour concludes, your guide will provide a pin so you can earn points!

Visit www.ExploreNaturalMartin.com to register for upcoming programs. "Explore Natural Martin is our award-winning ecotourism program developed in partnership with Leave No Trace. These FREE guided eco-tours are available year-round and change throughout the seasons. Led by local experts, they are designed to promote sustainable tourism and get people exploring the outdoors responsibly. Once your eco-tour concludes, your guide will provide a pin so you can earn points!

Located in Hobe Sound on Jupiter Island, this peaceful, barrier island sanctuary is a well-known model for large-scale, native coastal habitat restoration. The preserve was named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline—the largest on the Atlantic coast. At high tide, seas break against the rocks and force plumes of saltwater up to 50 feet skyward. A number of endangered plants and animals call this special place home—including rare loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles.
Eco-Tip: Know Before You Go (Principle 1): Blowing Rocks is not only magnificent on land but also under the surface so please don’t forget your reef safe sunscreen to help protect our marine life!

Earn 200 bonus points for staying overnight at one of our Florida Green Lodging Properties: Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa; the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina; or the Comfort Suites Stuart-Hutchinson Island. Bonus points can ONLY be awarded DURING an Explore Natural Martin ecotour by showing your hotel reservation confirmation (or hotel key card) to our eco guides. Please note: advance registration for all Explore Natural Martin programs is required. You can register for these free events at www.ExploreNaturalMartin.com

The mission of The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is to offer children and families a place to explore and learn through hands-on activities, educational programs, and cultural experiences. Located in the heart of Indian Riverside Park, this family-friendly attraction opened in August 2008 and has welcomed over 400,000 visitors and over 50,000 students. The Children's Interactive Garden includes a beautiful Butterfly Garden, plus giant vegetable play structures, musical instruments, and much more.

Delaplane Reserve offers a chance for visitors to get to know Florida in its natural state, beautiful and wild. Restored by the Martin County Engineering Department, Delaplane Preserve now allows visitors to explore its 51-acres of natural sights and to gaze at the South Fork of the St. Lucie River in its original glory. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or paddle-boarding through Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River surrounded by vast wild trees and the vibrant green of the riverside.
Eco-Tip: Trash Your Trash (Principle 3): Deleplane’s riverfront dock is a perfect spot for fishing. Don’t forget to pack out your fishing line when you leave!

The DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875-acre multi-use natural area located in southwestern Martin and northwestern Palm Beach counties. Explore ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides miles of hiking and horseback trails, an equestrian center, graded vehicle roads, backpack and group campsites, and seasonal hunting. Its dark night sky also lends itself to excellent stargazing.
Eco-Tip: Know Before You Go (Principle 1): With so many recreational opportunities available here at Dupuis and many miles of trails, don’t forget to plan for the weather, wear proper footwear and bring enough water!

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is located on Hutchinson Island. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the 57-acre parcel houses the Society’s headquarters, nature trails, 750,000-gallon Game Fish Lagoon, Sea Turtle Pavilion, Children’s Activity Pavilion, Sea Star Touch Tank Pavilion, Rays on the Reef Ray Pavilion, the Frances Langford Visitors Center, and the brand-new Ocean EcoCenter. With its coastal hardwood hammocks and mangrove swamp communities, the site provides excellent opportunities for education and research aimed at increasing visitors’ knowledge of these unique environments.

Halpatiokee Regional Park boasts 65 acres of active park land surrounded by approximately 500 acres of wetland preserve area. The property also includes approximately four miles of river frontage on the west side of the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The park’s miles of hiking trails, biking trails, paddling trails, and riverside primitive campsite provide high-quality nature-based recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Eco-Tip: Be Considerate of Others (Principle 7): As Halpatiokee is a mountain biker’s paradise, trails have specific designations for activities - so for your safety and others, please make sure to check signs and pay attention to trail markers!

Take the scenic drive down SE Bridge Road through the lush tree canopy to find Hobe Sound Public Beach Park. This guarded beach is a great spot for you to soak up the sun and enjoy a day with family and friends. There are even areas to walk dogs off-leash (just don’t forget your waste bag to pick up after your pooch). Like all guarded public beaches in Martin County, Hobe Sound Beach is open 24/7 and offers free parking and entry.
Eco-Tip: Respect Wildlife (Principle 6): Our beaches are critical habitat for many species of wildlife from migrating birds to the seasonal sea turtle so please remember- give them space and never chase!

The Hobe Sound Nature Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization, dedicated to environmental awareness and education. The Center is a cooperating association with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and located at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, in southern Martin County. The Nature Center hosts both on- and off-site native wildlife presentations and field excursions. Admission to the museum is free, including access to injured and non-releasable resident wildlife, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, and exploration stations.

This public access beach is officially named Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, but most locals simply refer to it as Jensen Beach. Tourists and locals alike love this wide, sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors will find several picnic pavilions as well as volleyball courts, bathrooms, and showers. Jensen Beach also features the Sand Dune Café, which is known for serving up delicious dishes seven days per week.
Eco-Tip: Sticking to Trails (Principle 2): We and our wildlife need our dunes so please only use the indicated beach entrances!

Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the largest state park in Southeast Florida. Rare environments such as coastal sand hills, upland lakes and scrub forests as well as the pristine Loxahatchee River make this park a unique spot to explore on land or by water. Explore ranger-guided tours of Trapper Nelson’s 1930 pioneer homestead, or enjoy boating, canoeing, and kayaking along the river. Anglers can cast a line, cyclers can enjoy paved and off-road biking, and campers can even spend the night. Swing by the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center to learn more about the nature and history of the park.
Eco-Tip: Trash Your Trash (Principle 3): If you are planning on checking out the expansive trail system here at Jonathan Dickinson on foot or by bike, make sure all your trash makes it back out with you.

Kiplinger Nature Preserve is a natural area located just south of Veterans Memorial Bridge in Stuart. The balance of the tract is the northern two-thirds of a long narrow mangrove-fringed island in the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. Together, the island and mainland parcels include almost three miles of riverfront. A mixture of wildlife also call this area home including the Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Golden-Silk Spider, raccoons, alligators and other creatures native to South Florida.
Eco-Tip: Stick to the Trails (Principle 2): Embrace your adventurous side! Remember to stay on trails (yes, even when they are muddy!) to help us prevent trail widening.

Maggy’s Hammock Park is a unique 22-acre conservation area consisting of threatened scrub and maritime hammock plant communities. The vast number of plant species in the hammock produces a feast of berries which attract a huge assortment of songbirds. Look for these birds flittering through the trees as you walk along the nature trail. The trail also provides excellent opportunities for spotting the state-protected gopher tortoise. While you’re there, check out nearby Twin Rivers Park for even more natural beauty.
Eco-Tip: Stick to the Trails (Principle 2): You may not see them, but they are there! Please stick to trails here in Maggy’s Hammock to avoid trampling unique and sometimes rare plants, mosses, and lichens.

The Elliott Museum inspires creativity through exhibitions and programs about art, history, nature, and technology for the people who live in and visit Martin County. Named after prolific inventor Sterling Elliott, it houses a dynamic and interactive collection of antique automobiles, vintage boats, and an impressive baseball collection. This local gem includes a deep trove of Treasure Coast histories and stories sure to delight all ages. And be sure to check out their revolving nature exhibit. Located on the southernmost point of Hutchinson Island, the museum can be found at the entrance to Stuart Beach.

Peck Lake Park offers a tranquil look at Florida plants and wildlife. A short easy walking trail on a boardwalk ends with stunning views of the intracoastal waterway. Snorkel or dive along the unique reef, which runs for nearly nine miles and is covered in stony corals and diverse sponges. The ledges are steep, and full of caverns, holes, and crevices that attract myriad wildlife, such as sea turtles, lobster, and hundreds of species of fish.
Eco-Tip: Know Before You Go (Principle 1): Just in case the mosquitos decide to join you on this amazing mangrove adventure, pack your bug spray and if you have them, bring your binoculars for any wildlife you will likely see on the Indian River Lagoon.

Audubon of Martin County is based at the Possum Long Nature Center, not far from Historic Downtown Stuart. The preserve lies behind the Audubon office and includes almost 5-acres of urban forest that are being rehabilitated through the Native Plant Restoration Project. Stop by, walk the trails, enjoy the butterfly garden, or just spend a quiet hour looking for the many birds who stop by for food and rest. They also host a wide array of events every month. The grounds are open to the public at no charge every day from dawn to dusk.

Located in Port Mayaca, a rustic community in western Martin County, this enjoyable hike stretches nearly 6 miles. It snakes its way along the Okeechobee Ridge of Lake Okeechobee, providing lots of shade and peaceful scenery. Enjoy being surrounded by ancient cypress and massive ficus trees. Use the southern entrance to access the trailhead.
Eco-Tip: Be Considerate of Others (Principle 7): This moderate trail is a fan favorite, but it’s on the narrower side. Please be courteous to fellow hikers and be prepared to share this space with others.

The Rio Nature Park is a hidden gem tucked away in Rio. This small nature preserve provides public access to the St Lucie River. Snag one of the covered picnic tables to enjoy a meal while soaking in beautiful waterfront views. Cozy and intimate, it’s the perfect place to unwind and connect with nature.
Eco-Tip: Trash Your Trash (Principle 3): Weather a light snack or a picnic lunch- make sure you don’t leave any trash behind at this beautiful river front park.

Spread across Martin and St. Lucie Counties, this park's scenic landscapes represent what Florida’s first pioneers would have seen in the area. Pavilions and picnic tables are available near the center and at trail heads throughout the park. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the wetlands are popular recreational activities. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will enjoy the diversity of habitats this undisturbed area has to offer. The park also boasts over 17 miles of multi-use trails that provide ample opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. Find the entrance along Jensen Beach Boulevard, or the second entrance along Savannah Road (right off County Line Road).
Eco-Tip: Respect Wildlife (Principle 6): If you happen to be out adventuring with your dog, help them be the best B.A.R.K. Ranger they can be! Bag your dogs waste, Always keep them on a leash, Respect wildlife, and Know what trails they can go on.

Ancient oceans shaped the physical landscape of this park, allowing a variety of habitats to develop over time. Today, this preserve provides a unique opportunity to experience several different natural communities in a relatively short distance. In less than a mile, visitors can see rare sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, a baygall community and a mangrove swamp. Hikers can also explore these natural communities on four miles of trails. Follow the East Coast Greenway for about two miles to discover Gomez Preserve, another local gem.
Eco-Tip: Respect Wildlife (Principle 6): With an array of wildlife such as bald eagles, bobcats, red-tailed hawks and the state threated Gopher Tortoise remember to keep your distance and never feed any wildlife.

This classic Florida barrier island is accessible only by boat, and it is worth the ride. A boardwalk takes visitors through mangrove forests and hammocks of live oaks, cabbage palms, paradise trees and wild limes to a neatly preserved Atlantic beach. During the sea turtle nesting season, the island is an important nesting area for loggerhead, leatherback, and green turtles. Visitors come to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or picnic at the pavilion on the quiet beach.
Eco-Tip: Know Before You Go (Principle 1): This remote State Park can only be reached by water, so whether you are coming by boat, kayak, or paddle board, make sure you remember to bring the essentials like sunscreen, water, and snacks.

Conveniently located across from the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, this guarded beach is a fan favorite. The beach offers a variety of amenities including covered picnic areas, beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, showers, restrooms, and more. Don’t forget to bring your appetite so you can grab a bite at the Seaside Café.
Eco-Tip: Leave What You Find (Principle 4) All the elements of our beaches, no matter how small, are what make them beautiful and vital– so please help keep them that way and only take pictures of natural items like shells or flowers.

The Treasure Coast Wildlife Center is a not-for-profit corporation, dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and the conservation of natural habitats. Their purpose is to rehabilitate and return injured, ill, and orphaned animals to the wild, as well as offer educational services to the public at large. Founded by Jean Henry and Ruth Stanwood in 1974, the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center serves Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties.