I took a hike through here on a recent trip to Vero Beach. The parking is limited but you can also…read morepark at the nearby South Vero Square Shopping Center located just east of the conservation area. If you didn't bring bug spray or water pick it up at the Publix because you will need both. Trails are open sunrise to sunset and run 2.4 miles or more and there are no restrooms. Be aware the trail can get quite muddy at points. The conservation area is quite large, 298 acres!, and the back trail loops around the wetlands so you can see a lot of birds. It is jointly owned by St. Johns River Water Management District and Indian River County. There are boardwalks, an observation tower (currently closed), and a canoe launch. You enter the conservation area through the Herb Kale Trail which is named for one of Florida's most respected ornithologists. The ecosystem is made up of coastal hammock, scrubby flatwoods and estuarine wetlands. The conservation area is a designated stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. In the coastal hammock you can find live oaks that are hundreds of years old. Ground plants are wild coffee, myrsine, marlberry, firebush, native wildflowers, saw palmetto, and cabbage palms. There are at least 20 rare plants living in this area including coral-root orchids and whisk fern. Along the hammock loop you may spot songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, squirrels, snakes, raccoons, armadillo, and opossum. A bridge takes you over a mangrove swamp where you will encounter the most mosquitoes. Many years ago, the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory used this area as an outdoor lab where they studied how mosquitoes transmit diseases. The Scrubby Pine Flatwoods trails are at a higher elevation. Expect to find bromeliads, large sand pines, saw palmettos and native wildflowers. This area hotter and dryer with little shade. The ground is sandy soil. At the rear of the preserve is the Coastal Wetlands managed by mosquito control. Here the trail leads to the closed observation tower as it loops around the wetlands. I was so disappointed to see the observation tower closed since this seemed to be the best place to bird watch. All that is there now is a sketchy looking bridge of single boards that stretch over the lagoon. At the end of the hike I had gone over 2 miles, was soaked in sweat and mosquito bitten. I always think of that scene in Lilo and Stitch when Cobra saves Earth from the alien race by convincing them that the mosquito is an endangered species. LOL Anyway mosquitoes are always a treat. Despite the bugs t was a fun hike and probably even more fun in January. I don't recommend it in June although I did see a lot of people on the trail. Who would have thought all of this can be found behind a Publix!

I've been to Oslo Riverfront Conservation on several occasions. There's not a lot of parking but…read moreearly morning it's not a problem. It's a pretty good place to hike but not the best. I mean, it's behind Publix supermarket. I tend to forget about Florida's weather. Still not used to it and never will be for that matter. Florida weather always lulls me into thinking it's nice while looking out the window and once outside it's almost always not. It's hot, muggy and lots of misquotes. Fairly clean place with occasional trash here or there but pretty well maintained. I've run into a homeless person every now and then but that doesn't bother me as long as they're doing the part and not trashing the place. Worth going but I'd recommend February or March. Watch for a cold front.

Round Island South Conservation Center is a 59 acre natural area in Vero Beach on the west side of…read moreSR A1A. Parking and entrance to the preserve is located on the southern boundary of Round Island Riverside Park. This conservation area is ideal for an easy hike. Habitats include mangroves, a maritime hammock, and lagoon shores. Along the trail you will enjoy scenic views of the lagoon where you may possibly see native wading birds, manatees, and dolphins. Twenty species of wood-warbler have been recorded here including Cape May, Blackpoll and Wilson's. There are also boardwalks and kayak launches. This conservation area is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, one of the longest running programs of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was created with the goal of encouraging conservation by encouraging connections between people and Florida's wildlife and natural land. I enjoyed my visit to this lovely conservation area that is a complement to Riverside Park. You can enjoy the amenities in the park and then cross over the bridge to the conservation area for a more immersive nature experience. Admission is free and the preserves is open 7:30am until sunset, year-round.

Nice park. Walk along the wooden boardwalks or go kayaking. If you are lucky, you might even see a…read moreFlorida manatee having an early morning swim. Don't get too close as the manatees are protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. They are an endangered species. While you are in the area, check out the Round Island South Conservation area. Beautiful area to explore on a sunny day in Florida.

This past Saturday, I decided I needed some much-needed sun and drove over to Hutchinson Island. I…read moreusually park near the jetty and walk over, but unfortunately that section of the beach was closed due to sand restoration from erosion. Luckily, if you drive a bit further down the road, you can find other access points along the island. I kept going and found a small parking area with a beach entrance. I got there early, so I had no problem finding a spot--but just a heads up, parking is very limited. I always recommend getting to the beach early, especially in spots like this. The entrance itself is a little tight, and there's a random piece of wood sticking out of the ground that could easily trip someone if you're not paying attention--definitely something to watch out for. That said, this stretch of beach is really nice and much less crowded. You can even see the area where they're adding sand in the distance. It's a great option if you're looking to avoid the usual tourist crowds... although I'm sure they find their way here.

A real beautiful beach, was very clean and super quiet. No one on the beach when I went so I was…read moretoo excited about that. There's a small parking lot. Beach access isn't wheel chair accessible for those who may need it. I can't wait to come back.

Tracking Station Beach Park is a 6.37 acre park in Vero Beach. The entrance is a little hard to see…read morebut it is located off Highway A1A between the CVS Pharmacy and 7-11 store. The park takes its name from the university ocean research facility located by the park entrance. Park amenities include a beautiful 624 feet of life guarded beach from 9:10 am - 4:50 pm, one pavilion with picnic table and grill, water fountain, restrooms, outdoor shower, and best of all there are 74 free parking spaces. I love free beach parking which is sadly lacking in Broward County. Inside the park is a memorial to 17 year old Lynn Carol Elliott (1965-1983). Elliot was a student of Vero Beach high school. She was hitchhiking with her fourteen year old friend Regan Martin when they were picked up by serial killer David Alan Gore who committed crimes with his cousin his Fred Waterfield. The pair were dubbed the killing cousins. When Elliot escaped outside of the house while Martin was being attacked, Gore followed her and shot her in the head which was witnessed by a neighbor boy riding his bicycle. The police were called and the pairs crime spree came to an end. Gore was executed by lethal injection in 2012. If not for Elliots courage in trying to escape, there may have been many more victims. This is such a sad story of promising lives cut too short. This beach is ADA accessible. It is favored by surfers and sun worshippers. It is also beloved by nesting sea turtles so stay off the dunes, watch out for the nests, and take your garbage with you. Sea Turtle nesting season is from March 1-October 31. All sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws. I was disappointed to see that a new condo complex called Indigo is going to be built at the entrance to the park. I hope that this does not negatively impact the sea turtles. For now this remains a lesser known beach in Vero and a great place to enjoy the ocean and outdoors.

Best beach in Vero beach! Parking can be difficult depending on time of day, I would suggest coming…read moreduring non-peak hours. The beach does have restrooms and showers and lifeguards do supervise the beach during normal hours.

Museum Pointe Park is locate at the base of South Bridge. This is the park that surrounds the St…read more Lucie Regional History Center and the St. Lucie County Aquarium. If you plan on visiting either pack a picnic and enjoy it in the park after for a fun and inexpensive family day out. Museum Pointe Park is on the Indian River so it has great water views. The park also has plenty of free parking, picnic pavilions, a playground, and a lot of large shade trees The paved walkway along the water was my favorite part of the park. I noticed that there were a number of rock agama lizards sunning themselves on the rocks. Rock agama lizards are an invasive species from Africa. They were first introduced to Florida in 1976 from the pet trade. Adult males have distinctive red heads and black bodies and can grow up to a foot long. Their range has been expanding and they are now found as far north as Jacksonville and as far south as Big Pine Key. Unfortunately they like to feast on Florida's endangered butterfly species. Scientists are currently studying their effect on the environment. If you enjoy fishing there is a pier underneath the South Bridge close to the right of the park and South Causeway Park is to the left for more picnicking and swimming. Museum Pointe Park is filled with history, science, and nature. It is the perfect place to take the family this summer.

We stopped here to breakup our drive to a state park in central Florida, it's a beautiful area! We…read morewalked around a bit, got our feet in the ocean, and noted all of the turtle nests! Want to come back here one day soon for a beach day! The water was gorgeous that day as well! Check out this area/park/beach if you are in the area! They have a board walk as well!

If you're looking to soak up the sun, catch some waves, and maybe beat your own record for the…read morenumber of snacks eaten under an umbrella--Jaycee Park is your new happy place. The beach? Pristine. The water? Perfectly blue with just the right amount of wave action to feel like a surfer (even if you're just boogie boarding like a champ). The park area behind the beach is ideal for taking a break from the heat--plenty of shaded pavilions, a volleyball court, and a playground for the little ones who still somehow have more energy than a triple espresso. What really makes Jaycee Park shine is how family-friendly and chill the vibes are. You've got locals grilling, kids building sandcastles that'll be gone in one tide, and beachgoers just vibing to the sound of waves. Plus, the accessibility and parking make it a no-stress zone from the moment you pull up. So grab your sunscreen, flip-flops, and your most extra beach floatie--Jaycee Park is where it's at!

A hidden gem of a park in Vero Beach. West Sidney Johnston…read moreCatts Park, located at 3200 Riverside Park Drive in Vero Beach, Florida, is a wonderful park that offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The park is named after Sidney Johnston Catts, a colorful character who served as the 22nd governor of Florida from 1917 to 1921. The park's history is intertwined with the history of the Sebastian Inlet, a significant geographical feature in the area. The first settlers arrived in the Sebastian River area in the mid-1800s, and there were numerous attempts to open an inlet on the barrier island from the Indian River to the Atlantic Ocean near what is present-day Sebastian Inlet. This historical context adds a layer of depth to the park's significance. Visitors to the park can expect to find a tranquil environment perfect for relaxation and reflection. The park is nestled among old trees and twisted branches, providing plenty of natural beauty. The park's location also offers a stunning view of the surrounding area, making it a great spot for photography or simply enjoying the scenery. There is plenty of parking along the water's edge. There is a large open area between the Veteran's Memorial Island Park and Vero Beach Museum of Art which appear to sit on the grounds of the park or are adjacent to it. There is a large gazebo or a Grand Pavilion and an observation pier near the north end of the park. There are covered pavilions along the west side of the park that have stone benches and some grills. Some of the grills and tables are in need of some repair. Overall, West Sidney Johnston Catts Park is a hidden gem in Vero Beach, offering a serene setting steeped in local history. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a drone enthusiast, this park has something to offer.

Indrio Savannahs Preserve is a 297 acre natural area that was purchased to protect the savannahs…read morewetland system. It was originally supposed to be a subdivision but plants have grown over the grid of what was once roads. In the preserve you will find 35 acre Lake Indrio, created out of a former Stewart Sand Mine. Fishing in the lake is catch and release. There are three miles of trails throughout the preserve along with an observation tower and fishing pier. Habitats include a freshwater wetland system that was formed west of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. You can hike through pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and scrub and depression marsh. Commonly seen wildlife here includes osprey, heron, ibis, egret, spoonbill, sandhill crane, and the protected Florida Scrub Jay. The site is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, one of the longest running programs of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It consists of more than 500 wildlife viewing sites across the state. A restoration project was recently completed in the preserve to reconnect the historic marsh system and restore the freshwater marsh habitat inside the preserve. Boardwalks were then constructed to allow hikers to connect through the Indrio Savannahs trail system. Indrio Savannahs Preserve is a hidden nature gem on the Treasure Coast. It offers a peaceful retreat away from developed areas providing the ideal natural spot for birdwatchers, bikers, and hikers who want to get away from the urban sprawl. The preserve is open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs and bikes are allowed.

I'm happy to find a running trail in the area! There's miles of trails amidst local fauna, pastures…read moreand marshes. It's a peaceful haven in the city, very lightly trafficked; in fact, I saw only two other hikers. I would give it five stars except there are no restrooms and a lot of the trail has been uprooted, seemingly from four-wheelers. I don't mind muddy trails but they had a bit too many ruts and grooves. There are benches to stop and rest but bring plenty of water as much of the trails are exposed to the sun!