The loop trail at Lake Apopka North Shore offers bicycling and wildlife viewing.

Trail markers indicate activities available at each location.

If you are looking for a peaceful place to explore nature and take in beautiful scenery, look no further than one of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s 42 conservation areas.

The District manages more than 425,00 acres of public lands purchased to protect water resources, so if you live in our District, you probably live fairly near one of these conservation areas. Our lands are open to the public, entry is free of charge, and they offer many nature-based activities such as multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, hunting and fishing. Amenities on District lands may include covered picnic pavilions, canoe/kayak launches and boat ramps, reservable and first-come/first-served campsites, and observation towers for wildlife viewing.

On this website, you’ll find a list of properties with detailed ecological descriptions, lists of compatible recreation activities and our primitive camping reservation system. Check out our recreation announcements for important updates on land management and restoration activities, such as prescribed fires, that may affect your visit. This website also offers a glimpse of the properties through photos and videos that you can check out before you go.

Plan a visit today! Be sure to take plenty of drinking water, insect spray and sunscreen, and dress appropriately for Florida’s hot/humid and sometimes rainy weather. Enjoy your public lands!

• Visit our online recreation guide for property descriptions, property map, driving directions: sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation
• Hunt for geocaching sites: webapub.sjrwmd.com/agws10/geocaching
• Engage in kid-friendly activities: sjrwmd.com/streamlines/five-activities-for-kids-on-district-lands
• Find info about our Land Resources program: sjrwmd.com/lands

A platform allows access to Moses Creek at this conservation area in St. Johns County.

Fishing can be enjoyed at several District lands.