An Island of Wilderness ...

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park, Stuart, Martin County


pine flatwoods
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection in its latest management plan for Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park calls it "an island of wilderness in the sea of surrounding urban areas." It is that. Nearly 5,000 acres of flatwoods, marshes, hammocks, swamps, sloughs and more. It is primitive. It is nature's domain. You may be alone without sight of civilization other than the trail you are walking. There are plans to add amenities in the coming years, a formalized park entrance, restrooms, better parking, a canoe/kayak launch on the St. Lucie River, campsites, but hopefully Atlantic Ridge will retain its primitive edge, because there are few spaces like it in this part of Florida.

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Published by Wild South Florida, PO Box 7241, Delray Beach, FL 33482.
Photographs by David Sedore. Photographs are property of the publishers and may not be used without permission.