St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
WEBSITE:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stsebastian/default.cfm

The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park covers over 22,000 acres in both Indian River and Brevard Counties.  There are over 60 miles of hiking trails through scrubby pine flatwoods along with numerous other natural communities including cypress domes, sandhills, and a strand swamp.  A visitor center with short interpretive trails behind it provides a good overview of the park and its various natural habitats.

The park is home to the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.  Early morning ranger-led tours to their nesting cavities in the pines might provide the visitor with a view of this elusive bird.  Other wildlife that may be glimpsed in the Park includes the West Indian Manatee, Wood Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Scrub Jay, Wild Turkey, Sandhill Crane, Gopher Tortoise, Bald Eagle, and White-tailed Deer.  Besides wildlife viewing, other activities at the Park include bicycling, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, and guided tours.  Call the park office at 321-953-5004 for tour info.

There are two entrances into the Park, which is open 365 days a year from 8:00 a.m. to sundown.  The south entrance is off Fellsmere Road (County Road 512) 1.8 miles east of I-95.  This is little more than a trailhead/parking lot and lacks facilities.  The north entrance leading to the Visitor Center, located at 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive, is located off Babcock Street (County Road 507) just north of the C-54 Canal on the Indian River and Brevard County line.  The visitor center has restrooms and a drinking fountain.  The visitor is advised to bring water and sun protection along with wearing sturdy shoes before venturing out on the trails.

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