Set between the growing Jacksonville area and neighboring St. Johns County, Julington-Durbin Preserve offers a rare escape into a hidden Florida.
Located on a peninsula formed by the meeting of Julington and Durbin creeks, the preserve protects nearly nine miles of shoreline where sandhill uplands transition into pine flatwoods and floodplain swamp. Together, these natural communities provide important water quality and floodplain protection for Julington Creek, Durbin Creek, and ultimately the St. Johns River.
One of the preserve’s most distinctive features is its ephemeral wetlands hidden within the sandhills. These seasonal wetlands fill with water during the wetter times of the year, creating temporary habitat for ducks, salamanders, and other wildlife specially adapted to Florida’s changing conditions. At the end of the preserve’s red trail, visitors are rewarded with scenic creek views that showcase the quiet beauty of the preserve.
In the fall, the preserve transforms with colorful native wildflowers blooming throughout the sandhills, creating one of the most picturesque seasons to explore the trails. Wildlife is abundant year-round, with frequent sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, gopher tortoises, deer, bobcats, wild turkey, and a variety of wading and songbirds. Manatees can also be seen seasonally swimming through both creeks.
Julington-Durbin Preserve welcomes visitors for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, picnicking, and nature study. Accessible from Bartram Park Boulevard, the preserve offers a chance to experience natural Florida just minutes from urban life.
Whether walking beneath longleaf pines, spotting wildlife along the trails, or watching sunlight reflect across the creeks, Julington-Durbin Preserve provides a quiet reminder of the natural beauty still thriving within Northeast Florida.
Plan your visit to Julington-Durbin Preserve and experience a landscape where creeks, wetlands, and upland forests come together just beyond the city. Visit our online recreation guide for property details, trail maps, and more: Julington-Durbin Preserve – SJRWMD
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