Spruce Bluff Preserve is a beautiful, natural area in Port St Lucie, Florida area. It offers an array of attractions and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Visitors can experience nature by camping at one of the developed sites or hiking on any of the trails that stretch through this wooded preserve. The wildlife viewing opportunities are amazing as well!
History
Spruce Bluff Preserve was once home to the Timicuan Indians, who were a hunter-gatherer society. They hunted deer and fished for their food in nearby bodies of water such as Lake Okeechobee. The Seminole Indian tribe also called this land their home when they migrated from Alabama and Georgia across the state during Florida’s Second Seminole War (1835-1842).
When the Second Seminole War ended, the U.S government decided to purchase this land for $525 in order to create a reservation for Native Americans and their families. At one point there were around 500 members of both tribes that lived here before they started moving westward into other parts of America due to lack of food and natural dangers such as hurricanes or poisonous snakes. The Timicuan Indians did not survive very long after these events and all but disappeared from Florida by 1763. This area is now known as Spruce Bluff Preserve which stretches over 20 acres! It also includes another location called Spruce Creek Preserve which has an additional 40 acres of protected land!
Things to do
This amazing preserve offers a number of opportunities to explore and enjoy the beautiful natural area. The full-facility campground features 20 campsites with water, electricity, and sewer hookups. Visitors will also find picnic tables, grills, and restrooms at each site along with access to hiking trails that lead through this lovely wooded preserve. A few of the things to do here include:
Hiking: There are over six miles of hiking trails that wind through the forest and open marshes. Visitors can choose to explore on their own or with a guided tour!
Canoeing: There is also access for canoeists along Spruce Creek which winds throughout this preserve. We recommend stopping by Port St Lucie’s Chamber of Commerce before you go as they keep updated maps and information about local waterways and attractions.
Wildlife viewing: This area offers an abundance of animal life including turtles, deer, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, etc! It’s truly amazing how many different species live in such a small place like this one especially since there isn’t any hunting allowed here at all times.
Bird watching: The bird life here is even more amazing than the wildlife viewing opportunities! There are over 292 different species that have been identified and recorded where Spruce Bluff Preserve sits today. This makes it a perfect location for serious or amateur bird watchers alike to enjoy their hobby at this unique natural area!
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