Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River Paddling Trails
Paddling Trail Description:
The Martin County paddling trails span 37.7 miles of two river systems – the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River. The Indian River Lagoon portion of the trail is 16.2 miles long and stretches between Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound. This portion of the trail is a part of the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve. There are eight different public launch or stopover sites along the trail. There is also a 2.6-mile trail spur running through St. Lucie Inlet State Park.
The St. Lucie River portion of the trail is 21.5 miles and extends from the Atlantic Ridge State Park/Halpatiokee area to sites near the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Inlet. There are 13 different public launch or stopover sites along the trail. There is also a 3.6-mile trail spur that runs between Atlantic Ridge and the Halpatiokee County Preserve.
Public Access:
The Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River Paddling Trails consist of 21 public launch or stopover sites managed by different public entities.
St. Lucie River Sites
Halpatiokee North: Halpatiokee is a 500+ acre county-maintained regional park and natural area along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. This particular site is the location of a kayak concessionaire located near the park entrance. Amenities include parking, restrooms, a canoe/kayak launch, picnic tables and a connection to trail systems at Halpatiokee Regional Park. The address is 7647 SW Lost River Road, Stuart.
Halpatiokee South: This county-maintained preserve area is only accessible by the South Fork Waterway Trail or by hiking two miles through the trail system at Halpatiokee Regional Park. There is a canoe/kayak launch, picnic tables, fire rings and camping by permit. Camping permits are available through the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department (#772-288-5400). No restrooms or trash receptacles are available. The address for Halpatiokee Regional Park is 8303 SW Lost River Road, Stuart.
Hosford Park: This county-maintained park is located on the east side of the South Fork of the St. Lucie River near the intersection of SW Kanner Highway and Cove Road. Amenities include parking, a boat ramp, canoe/kayak launch, picnic tables and trash receptacles. The address is 7474 SW Gaines Avenue, Stuart.
Phipps Park: This county-maintained park and campground is located near the St. Lucie Locks. Amenities include tent/RV camping, boat ramps, a beach to launch canoes/ kayaks, picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles and a hiking trail around a lake. The address is 2175 SW Locks Road, Stuart.
Delaplane Preserve: This 51-acre county preserve area is located near the area where the South Fork and St. Lucie Waterway meet. Amenities include parking, a canoe/ kayak launch, a dock, picnic tables, park benches and a shellrock trail. The 1/4-mile long trail meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and connects the parking area with the launch. The address is 6084 SW Gaines Avenue, Stuart.
Kiplinger Preserve: This 150-acre county-maintained preserve area is adjacent to the St. Lucie Waterway. Amenities include parking, an ADA Accessible canoe/kayak launch, picnic tables and a one-mile trail. Portaging a canoe/kayak from the parking area would be challenging, so this site is a recommended stop over for users already on the river. The address is 4146 South Kanner Highway, Stuart.
Leighton Park: This county-owned boat ramp is located on the southwest side of the Palm City Bridge. Amenities include parking, a fishing pier, boat ramps, picnic tables and restrooms. The address is 2701 SE Cornell Avenue, Palm City.
Shepard Park: This City of Stuart park is located near downtown Stuart. Amenities include parking, boat ramps, a beach for launching for canoes/kayaks, restrooms, picnic tables and grills. The address is 600 SW Ocean Boulevard, Stuart.
Flagler Park: This City of Stuart-maintained facility is located in the heart of charming downtown Stuart. Amenities include parking, a beach for launching canoes/kayaks, restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic tables, grills, an amphitheater, playgrounds, a basketball court, a waterfront boardwalk and connections to shopping areas in downtown Stuart. The address is 201 SW Flagler Avenue, Stuart.
Sandsprit Park: This county-maintained facility is located near the intersection between the St. Lucie Waterway and the Indian River Lagoon. Amenities include parking, boat ramps, a beach for launching canoe/ kayaks, restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic tables and grills. The address is 3443 SE St. Lucie Boulevard, Stuart.
Manatee Cove Boat Ramp: This county-maintained boat ramp is in the Manatee Pocket area near Port Salerno. Amenities include parking, a boat ramp and a pier that can be used to launch paddling vessels. The park is located next to a business that rents and sells paddle boards. The site does not have a specific address, but it is located on the east side of SE Dixie Highway between Cove and Salerno Roads.
Indian River Lagoon Sites
Jensen Beach Causeway: This county-maintained park is the northernmost site along the Indian River Lagoon portion of the trail. Amenities include parking, boat ramps, a beach that can be used for launching canoes/kayaks, restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic tables and grills. The address is NE Causeway Boulevard, Jensen Beach.
Joe’s River Park: This county-maintained park is located on Hutchinson Island, and amenities include parking, a canoe/kayak launch, a fishing platform, picnic tables and a 300-foot long boardwalk. The boardwalk connects the parking and launch facilities. The address is 3500 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart.
Indian RiverSide Park: This 54-acre county park is located in the Sewall’s Point area. Amenities include parking, a beach, canoe/kayak launches, a fishing pier with boat slips, picnic tables, trash receptacles, restrooms, an interactive play fountain, a children’s museum, a boardwalk through mangroves, an amphitheater and a refurbished historical mansion. The address is 1921 Tuckahoe Drive, Stuart.
River Cove (Stuart Causeway): This small, county-maintained preserve is just east of the Stuart Causeway on Hutchinson Island. The park features a parking area and a large beach to launch canoes/kayaks. Although there is no address, visitors can access the site by taking the first left (north side) from SE Ocean Boulevard on Hutchinson Island.
Perry Beach: Amenities include parking, boardwalks, a canoe/kayak launch, a covered fishing platform, trash receptacles, picnic tables, park benches and a sidewalk connection to a beach access park. The address is 30 SE MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart.
Chastain Beach: This small, county-maintained facility is located on South Hutchinson Island. Amenities include parking, restrooms, beach access and an unimproved trail leading between the parking area and a shoreline area to launch canoes/kayaks. The address is 1213 SE MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart.
Spoil Island MC-3: This three-acre site is only accessible by water and includes beach shorelines, fire pits, shady areas and unimproved camping areas. There are no improved facilities on this island. Users are expected to take their trash with them when leaving. GPS Coordinates for the island are Lat: 27d 10’ 58”, Long: 80d 10’ 49”.
St. Lucie Inlet State Park: This FDEP managed site at the northern tip of Jupiter Island is only accessible by water. It includes roughly three miles of waterway based trail through mangrove habitat, canoe/kayak launching points, boardwalks, restrooms, picnic tables and several miles of sandy beaches. There is no address for the park but the GPS coordinates for the main park facilities are Lat: 27d 09’ 05”, Long: 80d 09’47”.
Cove Road Park: This county-maintained park is at the end of Cove Road on the west side of the Indian River Lagoon. Amenities include parking, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. There is no address for the park but the GPS coordinates for the facilities are Lat: 27d 08’ 56”, Long: 80d 10’07”.
Peck Lake Park: This 68-acre county-maintained park and preserve is in the Hobe Sound area. Amenities include parking, picnic tables, grills, pavilions, restrooms, a beach to launch canoes/kayaks, benches and a half-mile long boardwalk connecting the park to the Indian River Lagoon. Portaging a canoe/kayak from the parking area would be challenging, so this site is a recommended stop over for users already on the river. The address is 8101 SE Gomez Avenue, Hobe Sound.
Jimmy Graham Park: This county park and preserve is the southern terminus of the Indian River Lagoon portion of the paddling trail. Amenities include parking, a boat ramp, a dock where it is possible to launch canoes/kayaks, restrooms, picnic tables and trash receptacles. The address is 8555 SE Gomez Avenue, Hobe Sound.