Flagler: Atlantic Coast, Nature and History

Flagler County offers a varied landscape of 18 miles of Atlantic coastline, expansive wetlands, and historic sites. When planning your trip, you can focus on different interests: coastal scenery and water, trails through preserves, or the region’s history. Experiences range from birdwatching and paddling to historic sites and museum tours.

The Coast and Trails as a Guide

Flagler County’s public parks and trails network includes more than three dozen parks, preserves, and trailheads. The county also has 125 miles of paths and trails. The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway ends in Flagler County at Gamble Rogers Memorial Park in Flagler Beach. It connects state parks, beaches, and nature trails, as well as boating and fishing opportunities, preserves, and estuarine areas. This gives you different ways to explore based on your interests, without limiting your trip to a single activity.

Wetlands, Coast, and Outdoor Activities

Salt marshes, maritime hammock vegetation, and black mangrove communities shape the 320-acre Betty Steflik Memorial Preserve. Visitors can watch birds and fish from a pier. Graham Swamp Preserve offers a different kind of landscape: more than 2,500 acres of forested wetlands, where you can hike and bike. Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve includes 505 acres of salt marsh in Flagler County.

There are also various ways to enjoy the water. Pellicer Creek has a 6.7-mile out-and-back paddling route rated easy and classified as suitable for beginners. River to Sea Preserve covers 90 acres on both sides of Highway A1A at Marineland. Its amenities include trails, public beach access, and a canoe and kayak launch. The launch provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Matanzas River.

The routes at MalaCompra Greenway Trail vary in length and use: a 1.5-mile hiking trail begins at the intersection of Mala Compra Road and State Road A1A; the trail also includes a 5.5-mile mountain biking trail. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park combines 425 acres of coastal landscape with 20 acres of formal gardens. Its landscape also includes a 0.75-mile Atlantic beach with stretches lined by coquina rock formations; the park offers hiking and biking trails.

History and Places with Distinctive Character

The history of East Florida’s sugar plantations comes to life at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. The park recalls the rise and decline of these plantations. A scenic hiking trail leads to the ruins of the sugar mill. For a different kind of outing, there is a launch for canoes and small motorboats on Bulow Creek, a designated state canoe trail. Bings Landing is home to an archaeological site at Mala Compra Plantation.

The 1,500-acre Princess Place Preserve lies at the confluence of Pellicer Creek, Moody Creek, and the Matanzas River. The original lodge stands there, the oldest surviving structure in Flagler County. The preserve is also home to Florida’s first in-ground swimming pool. In Flagler Beach, the Historical Museum preserves and shares the history of the town and surrounding community.

The Florida Agricultural Museum has been located on a 460-acre property in Flagler County since 1997. It is dedicated to preserving rare Florida Cracker cattle, horses, and sheep. The Historic Buildings Tour visits 11 historic buildings; the Animal Tour includes a hayride around the property. As tour details may change, check the current offerings before your visit.

More Experiences to Help Plan Your Trip

Marineland Dolphin Adventure offers interactive programs where visitors can swim with, touch, and play with dolphins. Offerings also include dolphin training demonstrations, daily feedings of sand tiger sharks and sea turtles, and a visit to the historic museum. Check programs and offerings before your visit. Equestrian Adventures of Florida offers guided horseback rides on the beach at low tide; confirm availability with the provider.

When choosing a hotel in Flagler, you can plan around the experiences that matter to you: the coast and water, trails in preserves, or historic sites and museum tours. This way, your choice starts with the character of your trip, rather than a general idea of what a stay should offer.

Discover more destinations: Marineland, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast. More destinations: Martin, Hillsborough, Lake, St. Lucie, Palm Beach.

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