The Best Florida State Parks Near the Treasure Coast

Located just off of Midway Road, White City Park is a 17-acre “old Florida” retreat along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. On land, pavilions, picnic tables, and a playground provide plentiful opportunities to relax and enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Kayaking and boating is also very popular down the St. Lucie River, where gentle bends provide views of moss-draped oaks and exotic palms along the banks. This section of the river was also used for stunt shots in the James Bond film Moonraker, released in 1979.

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon, Fort Pierce Inlet State Park’s half-mile stretch of white-sand beaches provides an abundance of recreational opportunities paired with scenic views. Beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or just relaxing on the sand are popular family activities. Along the south end of the park, Fort Pierce Inlet is a popular place for anglers to catch their dinners, while Dynamite Point (a historic training site for WWII Navy Frogmen) is a haven for bird watchers. Visitors can also climb an observation tower at the west end of Marsh Rabbit Run Trail for a beautiful birds-eye view of the Indian River and the island.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park just south of Stuart is filled with activities for every outdoor enthusiast. Close to 11,500 acres of land and river hold thirteen varying natural habitats, including sand pines, Flatwoods, bald cypress swamps, and red mangrove estuaries. Visitors can hike, bike, or horseback ride through miles of nature trails, or spend the night at one of the campground’s 135 campsites. Boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular along the Loxahatchee River.

Located in central Florida just north of Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park truly represents Old Florida at its best. Florida’s heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida cattle hunters that lived here around the late 1800s. 13 miles of hiking trails and six miles of equestrian trails showcase white-tailed deer, bobcat, turkey, and more than 200 species of birds. By the lakefront, the 10-mile Butcher Island Paddling Trail offers scenic views of floodplain marshes and shady hammocks. Camping here is among the best in the state, with a secluded location and dark skies that make stargazing a popular nighttime activity.