Recreation and land
Public lands offer far-reaching benefits
The St. Johns River Water Management District buys land in the course of its work to protect and preserve water resources. In addition, these lands protect plant and wildlife habitat and provide areas for public recreation and environmental education. The benefits are far-reaching for the public and the environment.
The district owns or manages approximately 779,726 acres of land throughout its 18-county service area. Virtually all district property is open to the public for activities that are compatible with conservation. A few areas of district lands are closed because of ongoing construction or restoration projects.
Recreation announcements
Following is a list of properties that are closed or have portions closed due to ongoing land management activities. We regret the temporary inconvenience, but the closures are necessary for public safety. If you have concerns or comments about any of these activities, please contact us at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or 386-329-4404.
Updated 10-03-2024
A portion of Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area is undergoing sandhill restoration as part of the District’s long-term forest management and ecological restoration/enhancement plan. The 160-acre restoration area is in the sandhill west of the powerline corridor. Pile burning is anticipated to continue through summer 2025, and prescribed burns will be conducted on an 18- to 36-month cycle to keep the habitat healthy and to enhance native sandhill species. Learn more at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/black-creek-ravines.
Updated 2-7-2023
The area along the L-77 West Levee in the Blue Cypress Water Management Area, also known as Lake Garcia, has been designated an idle speed zone. Signs have been posted on property and are located at the motorboat and airboat ramps of the 512 recreation area. The idle speed zone extends 300 feet east of the L-77 West levee. To assist boaters navigate around the work area and in identifying the no wake zone, the District has installed orange buoys with strobing lights in Lake Garcia.
This idle speed zone has been temporarily established to alleviate erosion at the levee toe and will remain in place for approximately two years as the District works on planned reinforcements to the levee and littoral zone.
See recreational map for other areas to visit in the area.
Posted 3-17-2025
Road construction for the First Coast Expressway continues on State Road 16, making access to the J.P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area trailhead parking area difficult to spot. The entrance road to the parking area is 0.4 miles east of Owens Road or 1.2 miles west of Susan Drive in Clay County. Please see the Google map link on the property description web page for directions.
Lindsey Lane Timber Sale
Updated 3-4-2025
Areas within J.P. Hall Conservation Area totaling 191 acres (see map) will undergo a pine thinning to reduce tree density. This work will improve growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Please use caution while on the white and yellow trails. Logging equipment is working in the area near the main parking area on State Road 16. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through Jan. 16, 2026. A portion of the work will occur within the Wildlife Management Area and could impact hunting.
Posted 2-10-2025
Welland and Roach roads will be closed from Feb. 10 to March 20 for construction. Please use the Lakeshore Spur (Loop Trail) north of the Pumphouse and Laughlin Road to detour around the work area. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will not be affected.
Posted 10-04-2024
Conrad Road, between Lust Road and the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, will be closed until further notice for contract work. The Loop Trail and Lust Road will remain open.
Posted 9-10-24
A wildland hazard mitigation treatment project is under way at Lake Norris Conservation Area in partnership with the Florida Forest Service. Mechanical hazardous fuels management, such as mowing and mulching, will take place on 217 acres of the property to mitigate the risk of wildfire impacts on public lands adjacent to urban areas.
Marsh Road Timber Sale
Updated 12-9-2024
Areas within Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area totaling 26 acres (see map) will undergo a pine thinning to reduce tree density. This work will improve growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. When work is under way, please watch for log trucks entering and exiting the property. A contract extension allows the work to be conducted through Nov. 17, 2025.
Posted 3-4-2025
The Newnans Lake Conservation Area North Tract timber sale is 123 acres of second thinning to free up growing space for the best trees. The expiration date is Dec. 19, 2025.
Posted 9-13-2024
Two footbridges used to cross the creek at the Newnans Lake Conservation Area’s Hatchet Creek tract sustained damage during recent heavy rains and high water flows and are currently out of service. While portions of the white and red trails are usable, access across the creek beds is limited until the bridges can be repaired.
Timber sale
Update 3-4-2025
Areas within Rice Creek Conservation Area totaling 275 acres (see map) will undergo thinning to reduce tree density. This work will improve growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. When work is under way, please watch for log trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow for work to be conducted through Aug. 15, 2025.
Posted 3-16-2022
Effective March 16, 2022, the District has closed a portion of the Levee Trail on Rice Creek Conservation Area due to repairs needed on a foot bridge crossing Rice Creek. The portion will be closed indefinitely but does not affect the entire Levee Trail or the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Timber sale
Update 3-4-2025
Areas within Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area totaling 330 acres (see map) will undergo a pine thinning to reduce tree density. This work will improve growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. When work is under way, please watch for log trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow for work to be conducted through Feb. 12, 2026. The project area is within the Wildlife Management Area and work could impact hunting.
Posted 7-7-2023
An area within Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area totaling 165 acres (see map) will undergo a fuelwood harvest timber sale. Some internal roads may be impacted. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. The contract allows the work to be conducted through May 18, 2025. This work could impact hunting within the Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.
Updated 12-13-2024
Structure 157 (S-157) located along Canal 54 (C-54) in St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park is now open to the public after major construction rehabilitation work to the structure. Please be aware that the downstream (east) wingwalls will remain closed off and inaccessible to the public for safety reasons.
In late 2025, additional repairs will be made to the east wingwalls. At that time, public access to S-157, including the manatee overlook and spillway, will be closed for approximately 6 months during this construction phase until repairs are completed. Normal public access including fishing is anticipated to resume in the spring of 2026.
Please monitor this page for updates.
Updated 3-4-2025
Areas within Sunnyhill Restoration Area South Tract will undergo a pine thinning timber sale. The objective of this sale is tree density reduction, freeing up growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. Various interior roads and recreational trails will be impacted by the thinning operation. When work is underway, please be careful with the logging trucks entering and exiting the property. A contract extension allows the work to be conducted through Feb. 13, 2026.
