Savannas Preserve State Park

Savannas Preserve State Park is a nature preserve in St. Lucie County that stretches along Florida's Atlantic coast and contains freshwater marshes, pine flatwoods, scrubby areas, and wet prairie habitats. The park showcases a patchwork of different ecosystems that represent the natural diversity of coastal Southeast Florida.

The land preserves an ecosystem that mirrors what Southeast Florida looked like before suburbs and development spread across the landscape. This protected area keeps intact the natural conditions that early settlers encountered in this part of the state.

The Environmental Education Center displays exhibits and leads guided tours that help visitors learn about Florida's natural habitats and the animals that live there.

The park has 13 miles (21 kilometers) of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, along with kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities. Bring sturdy shoes and insect repellent, especially during the wetter months when bugs are more active.

The area is home to the world's only wild population of savannas mint, a rare plant found nowhere else in nature. The preserve also protects most of the remaining plants of fragrant prickly-apple cactus, a species that has largely disappeared from the surrounding region.