St. Lucie: Coast, Nature and History

A half-mile-long beach, trails through wetlands and museums covering different aspects of history give St. Lucie clear starting points for planning a trip. At Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, the focus is on the beach and water sports; elsewhere, boardwalks, observation points and nature trails lead through a variety of landscapes. The region’s history can also be explored in museums and at historic sites.

Coast and Views Along the Indian River

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park has a half-mile-long beach where swimming, snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving are among the activities on offer. At the western end of the Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, visitors can climb an observation tower. From there, the view extends over the Indian River and the island. Dynamite Point in the same park was a Navy Frogmen training site during World War II. This park brings present-day beach and water activities together with a specific historic site.

Museums and History in Fort Pierce

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is located in Fort Pierce on the training grounds of the original Naval Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams, known as the Frogmen. It is dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors, and shares this history through interactive exhibits. Its focus is clearly military history.

The St. Lucie County Regional History Center takes a different approach: overlooking the Indian River in Museum Point Park, it presents artifacts and accounts of the way of life of the Ais, Creek and Seminole peoples. It also covers the development of the fishing industry and the local history of pineapple growing. Visitors interested in exploring the region’s history will find exhibits on the peoples mentioned above, as well as topics from local economic life.

Preserves, Trails and Wetlands

Oxbow Eco-Center and Preserve occupies 225 acres along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie. Visitors can explore boardwalks, observation points, an observation tower and footpaths through pine flatwoods, wetlands and riverine habitats. At the Oxbow Eco-Center, interactive exhibits and live animal ambassadors enhance the nature experience; their topics include local wildlife, habitats and water resources. Oxbow Preserve and Trails is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Check visitor information before you arrive.

Savannas Preserve State Park has more than 17 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are also possible in the wetlands. The park protects a representative section of basin swamp that once extended across all of South Florida before rapid suburban growth. The landscape’s history complements today’s opportunities to experience the wetlands on foot or on the water.

Steven J. Fousek Preserve covers 494 acres across three distinct conservation areas: Paleo Hammock, with 80 acres; Hackberry Hammock, with 114 acres; and Teague, with 300 acres. Its habitats include hydric hammock, wet prairie, prairie hammock, basin swamp and depression marsh. Several nature trails also make the preserve appealing to visitors who enjoy exploring landscapes on foot.

Market Day and County Transit

The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market takes place every Saturday at Marina Square in historic downtown Fort Pierce. Area Regional Transit, administered by St. Lucie County, is a free public transit system serving Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie Village and the county’s unincorporated areas. Eight fixed bus routes operate throughout St. Lucie County. Since routes and service details can change, it’s a good idea to check the current schedule before traveling.

The visiting hours mentioned here vary considerably for planning your week: the market has a set Saturday date, while Oxbow Preserve and Trails is open daily from sunrise to sunset. If you plan to visit both, you can schedule the market for Saturday and plan your time in nature around daylight hours. When choosing a hotel, you can start by deciding whether beach activities, nature trails, or culture and history will be the focus of your trip.

Explore more destinations: Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Leon, Brevard, Alachua, Pasco, Jackson County, Hamilton County.

For the main travel overview: Florida.