St Sebastian River State Park

About St Sebastian River State Park

The village is preserved as a grass forest that opens to the St. Sebastian River and its tributaries, as well as to the long-leaved pine trees that were once common in Florida. Pine forests form the basis for other biological communities, including domes, and the habitat is home to many native plants and animals, including over 50 protected species. They are a vital habitat for many bird species, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey and other animals.

Photographers, birdwatchers and nature lovers can explore miles of hiking trails on foot, by bike or on horseback, as well as the St. Sebastian River Trail System.

The visitor centre is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and the hiking trail and the starting points of the St. Sebastian river trail are located in the nature reserve. The visitor centre with picnic area, picnic tables, water fountain and picnic table is a popular activity. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

West Indian manatees are observed in the C54 Channel from November to March and in the St. Sebastian River Preserve from April to June. Other wildlife sightings include black bears, coyotes, raccoons, pythons and other wildlife.

If you see an alligator in the river, give it a wide berth and do not try to feed or harass it. Although alligators are rare, they are known to attack pets and humans without provocation. Alligators are seen along the St. Sebastian River and the C54 Canal, but keep your distance and when you see them, keep your distance.

BirdingThe Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and has been designated a bird watching area for the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) and the U.S. Forest Service.

The reserve is used by many different bird species during their migratory flights, and many of the birds that stay here at this time of year have their annual migratory routes through the park. The most popular birds are the Blue Heron, the Black Kestrel, the Kestrel, the Black-legged Falcon and the American Ram. Other species such as the American Red-nosed Vireo, the Blue Egret and the Sparrow are more common, but we have many other bird species and other birds of interest.

In 1995, the State of Florida began to purchase large tracts of land for the reserve, and the primary purpose of acquiring the land was to protect the water quality of the St. Sebastian River and its catchment area, but soon this included the rare and endangered plant and animal species that live in this unspoiled habitat. The reserve has grown steadily since the first land purchase and now covers more than 1,500 acres (2,000 square miles). The nature reserve is covered by nature, which improves water quality and reduces the impact of people such as agriculture and housing.

The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hiking maps for each section of the reserve can be obtained here, and you can visit the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Visitor Center on the south side of the St. Sebastian River.

The visitor centre is wheelchair accessible and six campsites offer primitive tents, but some places are only accessible on foot. The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Visitor Center is accessible by car only, with parking access.

Two are located on the west side of the park, at the entrance to the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Visitor Center. Four are in the main parking lot of the State Park, two in a separate parking lot at another location.

All food, water, firewood and garbage must be packed and payment must be made in cash or by cheque, no prior notice is required. Firewood gathering is prohibited in the parking lot of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Visitor Center and all parking lots.

The entrance gate to the reserve is closed at sunset and reopens at 8: 00 am. Combination locks for campers are available in an emergency until sunset or 8 am. Reservations are possible, but you must provide a vehicle to stay on site.

Three primitive campsites are available for groups of up to 20 people, and the Ranch Camp in Indian River County has three primitive campsites with a total of 10 primitive campsites. Camp Brevard County offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and much more.

Eagle Camp in Indian River County has three primitive campsites with a total of 10 primitive campsites and high tents. The Eagle campsite is located on a site that requires proof of negative gearing, above, which must be submitted at all times, as well as a valid ID card.

The reserve has three primitive campsites with a total of 10 primitive campsites and high tents. Large groups require a permit from the park manager for camping at Eagle Camp and Eagle Camp, as well as a valid ID and permit.

To reserve a place, a prior reservation is required and the fee is per person per night and must be paid in advance in cash or by cheque.

The entrance gate to the reserve is closed at sunset and reopens at 8: 00 am, but a combination lock for campers is available in an emergency until sunset or 8 am. Reservations are not possible and you must provide a vehicle to stay on site.

Canoes and kayaks are not allowed in the reserve, but canoes can be planned at the starting point of the district, which requires a two-hour canoe tour to reach the canoe dock of the reserve.

Canoes can start from the County Starting Point in St. Sebastian River State Park and stop on the river for a picnic or paddle to the disembarkation point.

The water of the St. Sebastian River is brackish water that feeds both fresh and saltwater species, and fishing is allowed. Examples of species that occur on the river are tarpon, snook, perch and mullet.

Please observe the rules and regulations for fishing licenses and purchase your license at the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park office on the grounds of the park. The two picnic pavilions are located in the parking lot on both sides of Lake Okeechobee, which is located directly on the waterfront.

The pavilions are used according to the principle "first come, first served"; prior registration is not required. A secluded picnic area is available at the Brevard County Horseman's headquarters and the gazebo on the west side of Lake Okeechobee.

Unprotected picnic tables are available at the Manatees Viewpoint in Brevard County, prior registration is not required. The reserve has 60 miles of hiking trails, covering a total of 1,500 hectares. Most of the paths are very long and can only be reached on foot, by bike or on horseback, but not by car or boat.

Visitors are advised to bring water and sunscreen, and the endangered Red Cocart Woodpecker is seen on the northeast side of the reserve. If you want to see the Florida Jay, visit the Manatees Viewpoint in Brevard County, south of St. Petersburg.

Cycling is not allowed in the protected area, which is protected by rare and endangered plant and animal species. It is recommended to stay on designated trails and use trails in and out of the wilderness, including the St. Sebastian River Trail, a 1.5 km trail from the parking lot to the hiking trail.

The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park parking lot is located at the intersection of county road 507 and county road 506. The southern entrance is on the south side of the road, south of the county road 5005, and the northern entrance to the park. Take the exit from county roads 505 and 508 northbound to reach the southern edge of St Sebastian County, about 1.5 km from the entrance to the National Park, or take the eastern entrance from county road 5006 to reach county road 50 7.