Posted 3/29/24: Public access is temporarily closed on the Nubbin Slough Levee Trail for natural resource protection. There are many other recreational sites in the area. Please visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation for a list of nearby recreational sites and activities.
Located in western Martin County, the Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area plays a crucial role in the restoration of the Lake Okeechobee watershed by improving the quality of water flowing into the lake. The wetlands will treat stormwater runoff from the Taylor Creek and Nubbin Slough basins to the north before that runoff enters Lake Okeechobee.
Approximately 2,700 acres of Lakeside Ranch is open to the public to enjoy hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing or simply relaxing. The recreation area is surrounded by levees that are accessible to visitors on foot or on bicycle.
Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 (WCA 2 3) are mainly signature Everglades sawgrass marsh, interspersed with tree islands. Ownership is mixed, with State, South Florida Water Management District and private ownership. The State leases portions of its land to the Miccosukee Indian Tribe. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages the areas and conducts hunts for waterfowl, deer and small game. You can access adjacent rim canals by boat, the interior marshes by airboat, and the levees by bicycle and hiking.
Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA 1) is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The South Florida Water Management District owns the conservation area and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages it as a refuge.
Three small properties located within and adjacent to the floodplain of the North Fork St. Lucie River are dense scrub sites where scrub oak and sand pine push out of the stark white sugar sands. Hike among the fire breaks. Also of interest is a canoe stopover immediately adjacent to and north of the U.S. 1 property at the Halpatiokee Nature Trail.
For More Information:
Call the Florida Park Service at (772) 340-7530.
Ten Mile Creek Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area are under construction and not open to the public. Two areas related to Ten Mile Creek Preserve are the Gordy Road Recreation Area and the Ten Mile Creek Preserve. Both areas are managed by St. Lucie County (website links below). This description is some of the activity areas that may be developed at the Gordy Road Recreation Area.
Posted 5/15/24: Taylor Creek STA is scheduled for maintenance on Monday, May 20, 2024 and will be closed for the entire day.
SUMICA, once slated for watermelon farming, is the site of a former logging community and sawmill. It's nestled beside the 7,500-acre Lake Walk-in-Water or "Lake Weohyakapka." Boasting an expanse of pine flatwoods, the land also supports a diversity of marshes and a picturesque oak hammock. Enjoy a short boardwalk and observation deck in the sawgrass marsh, which is next to a scenic cypress dome. The sun-dappled, leaf-carpeted oak hammock is a perfect place to stroll, too. Look for an unusual, artistic sight by the lake.
Due to construction that is taking place for the C-139 Flow Equalization Basin project, the public access route to Stormwater Treatment Area 5 has been rerouted from Deer Fence Rd. to Blumberg Rd. Directions to Blumber Road public access.
