St. Sebastian River Preserve

Location

Located in Southern Brevard County and Northern Indian River County near Fellsmere, Florida.

Directions

To get to the northern entrance of the preserve from I-95, take exit 70 and go east on SR 514 (Malabar Road) for about a 1/2 mile.  Turn right onto CR 507 (Babcock Road) and go south for about 12 miles. The entrance will be on your left just before you get to Canal C-54 and the Fellsmere grade.

To get to the southern entrance from I-95, take exit 69 and go east on CR 512 (Fellsmere Road) for about 1.8 miles.  The entrance will be on your left.

Hours

The preserve is open from 8:00 A.M. until sundown, 365 days of the year.

Fees

Primitive camping: $4 per person, per night.

Camping

The preserve has 5 primitive campsites: Pine Camp, Tree Frog Camp, Mullet Camp, Ranch Camp and Storytelling Camp.  All campsites are equipped with a single fire ring surrounded by four benches.  Make sure to bring everything you need. There are no restrooms or potable water sources at the campsites.  Campers must contact the Preserve Office at 321-953-5004 to make reservations and to obtain a  permit. 

Shown above from left to right: Pine Camp, Tree Frog Camp and Mullet Camp.

Canoeing

The preserve has two canoe landings: one on the North Prong  of the St. Sebastian River and the other on the South Prong.  No launching of boats is permitted in the preserve but several county parks on the South Prong (i.e. Wimbrow Park and Donald McDonald Park) have public boat ramps. 

 

Hiking

Horseback Riding

History

The Carlton House was once a lovely white, two story house built back in the 1920s by John Carlton.  According to the information plaque, the owner ran out of money and had to abandon the house.  He went up north to earn more money but got arrested for swindling.  Eventually his teenaged son, Chester, moved back into the house by himself.  He lived in the house for some time before he tore it down, just so he could use the lumber to construct another house, which he never finished.  Now all that's left is the foundation. This site is located near the South Prong Canoe Landing and Mullet Camp.

Maps

  

Trail maps available at the preserve. Click images to enlarge.

Color infrared aerial map of Northwest, Northeast and Southeast sections of St. Sebastian River Buffer.

Flowers

 

Prickly Pear Cactus, Scarlet Milkweed and Tarflower

Pennyroyal, Netted Pawpaw and Spurred Butterfly Pea

Partridge Pea, Florida Scrub Roseling and Zarzabacoa Comun

Hawkweed, Yellow Star Grass and Gopher Apple

 

Seaside Primrosewillow, American Pokeweed and Procession Flower

Narrow Leaved Sabatia, Indian Hemp and Caesarweed

Mexican Clover, Buttonweed and Largeflower False Rosemary

Coastalplain Palafox and Frostweed

Local Weather

Trail Reports

• 20-Oct-2001: Environmental restoration is underway in the Northwest Section. Most of the canals in and around the Herndon Swamp area have been filled in which means the trails had to be relocated.  The old red, blue and green trails have been combined into one long (9.5 mile) red trail.   The trail now extends all the way to I-95. Unfortunately the new route is just as wet as the old route. Expect a foot of water in places especially near Babcock Street. If you're looking for dry ground, check out the trails in the Northeast Section. They are in pretty good shape.
• 02-Jun-2001: Thanks to some much needed rain, the trails are now in good condition for hiking and bike riding. Unfortunately, the rain has caused the Horse Fly population to explode, so be prepared to do a lot of swatting. Lots of ripe Black Berries can be found growing along the trails.

• 07-Apr-2001: Very dry and sandy.  Not recommended for biking since most of the trails are torn up due to equestrian activity.

Links

• Florida State Parks
• Property Map
• Recreation Guide

Last updated on 13-Sep-2012