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Standing water in the wet prairie with trees in the distance.

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park

Gently sloping wetlands offer peaceful seclusion

Hours

8 a.m. until 5 p.m., 365 days a year.

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park is maintained for natural resource preservation. Call Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 for the gate code.

Fees

$6 per vehicle (two to eight people); $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required.

Location

c/o Jonathan Dickinson State Park
16450 S.E. Federal Highway
Hobe Sound FL 33455

Get directions

Contact Info

772-546-2771

Park Menu

  • History
  • Map

Welcome to Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park.

A tropical paradise of sabal palms, live oak and wild coffee provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals.


Pay Online, Single-Use Day Pass

Bearing the scars of drainage ditches carved out decades ago, the gently sloping wetlands of Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park now offer peaceful seclusion from the modern world for the people and wildlife of the St. Lucie River.

This 4,886-acre preserve is located between U.S. 1 (Federal Highway) and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.

The land changes from hydric hammock to wet flatwoods and wet prairie as it slopes toward the river, away from U.S. 1. Sabal palms and live oaks dominate the overstory. Saw palmetto, wax myrtle and wild coffee hug the ground. Herons, egrets, Florida sandhill crane and wood stork make their home at the preserve. Watch overhead. You might see a red-shouldered hawk or bald eagles.

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park has limited access. Contact Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 for the gate code. See the park map. 

The Florida Park Service is working to allow more visitors and programming in the future. 

Atlantic Ridge Preserve is at the terminus of Southeast Paulson Avenue in Stuart, Martin County.

Plan Your Visit

The wetlands at Atlantic Ridge Preserve.
Learn

Manager's Message

Park Manager John Lakich shares insight into visiting Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park.
An American alligator floats on the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Learn

Saving Designated Species

The land slopes from hydric hammock to wet flatwoods and wet prairie before reaching the river. Sabal palms and live oaks tower overhead. Saw palmetto, wax myrtle and wild coffee line the trails. This area provides habitat for eight species of protected plants and 15 species of protected animals.
Ditches can be seen on both sides of River Road.
Learn

Managing the Landscape

Removing exotic plants and applying prescribed fire to the landscape helps with ecosystem health.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Hiking
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
Picnicking
Picnicking

Amenities

Equestrian Trail
Equestrian Trail
Parking
Parking
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Entrance

The park sign and gates welcome visitors to the park.
A trail with tall shade trees winds through the park near the entrance. One can see the resurrection ferns growing high in the live oaks.
A mowed, grassy area surrounded by tall trees.
A road bisects an area of pine flatwoods with tall pines and low grasses.
Wetlands filters waters headed towards the river.
An American alligator floats on the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
From the footbridge, one can see the creek below tropical plants, like ferns, wild coffee and oaks.
A white-tailed deer stands alert on the edge of mowed field.

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

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FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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