Park Summary for Print - Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

Welcome to Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

East of Jacksonville's skyscrapers and west of the beaches, this state park protects one of the largest contiguous areas of coastal uplands remaining in Duval County. The uplands protect the water quality of the Nassau and St. Johns rivers, ensuring the survival of aquatic plants and animals, and providing an important refuge for birds. Wildlife is abundant and ranges from the threatened American alligator to the endangered wood stork. Equestrians, hikers, and off-road bicyclists can explore five miles of multi-use trails that wind through the park's many different natural communities. The park has a canoe/kayak launch accessible by a 500 foot portage to the marshes. Located off I-95 or 9A, head east on Heckscher Drive. Turn north on New Berlin Road, then east on Cedar Point Drive. Turn north on Pumpkin Hill Road. Trailhead parking is approximately one mile on the left.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, please call 904-696-5980.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

From I-95 or 9A, exit Heckscher Drive east. Turn north on New Berlin and then east on Cedar Point Road. Continue on Cedar Point Road approximately 10 miles and turn north on Pumpkin Hill Road. The parking area for the main trailhead will be on the left side of the road. Further up on the right is the kayak hand-launch area.

Park Fees

There are no entrance fees to this park.

Activities at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

	Bicycling The bicycling trails are anchored at the parking area. Please see Nature Trails for trail markings and distances. There is 1 handicap port-o-let located in the main parking area.
	Canoeing & Kayaking The creeks adjacent to Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park are crucial in maintaining a healthy habitat for plants and animals, and provide the paddling enthusiast hours of exploration through pristine estuarine habitats. Access to Pumpkin Hill Creek is available for canoes and kayaks via a hand launch area at the end of Pumpkin Hill Road. There is 1 handicap port-o-let located at the Canoe/Kayak launch area.
	Fishing There are three access points to unspoiled tidal creeks adjacent to park property. Whether fishing from the shore or a boat, these creeks have enormous potential for catching redfish, flounder, and speckled sea trout. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Horse Trails The horse trails are anchored at the parking area. Please see Nature Trails for trail markings and distances.
	Interpretive Ranger Programs Interpretive Ranger Programs are offered at the Talbot Islands State Parks most weekends. The topics and locations of programs vary. Please call the Ranger Station at Little Talbot Island State Park (904-251-2320) for program information.
	Nature Trails The Nature Trails are anchored at the parking area and are open to hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. NO vehicular traffic is permitted. If you choose to use the trails, always check in at the ranger station and remember your water and insect repellant. TRAILS COLOR-----DISTANCE-----ESTIMATED HIKING TIME Green-------.75 mile-------20 minutes Blue--------1.3 miles------30 minutes Yellow------1.7 miles------35 minutes Red---------3.1 miles------60 minutes Purple------3.7 miles------80 minutes There is 1 handicap port-o-let located in the main parking area.
	Pets Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park on our hiking trails, pavilions, paved park roads, parking lots and multi-use trails. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended for more than a half-hour.
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park

Special Events for Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

There are no events listed at this time. Please call our park for more details on possible future events.

Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park Ranger Programs

FIRE: FRIEND OR FOE?
Quarterly. Learn how fire impacts the environment. Discover the benefits of prescribed fire as a management tool for healthy ecosystems, and as a tool for defending against devastating wild-fires.
Call (904) 251-2320 for more details.
ANIMAL INVASION
Annual. A diversity of plant and animal species survive in Florida's tropical environment, including both native species and exotic species. These exotic, non-native animals include feral hogs, armadillos, insects, and fungi, and often compete with species native to Florida. Find out how to identify these animals and what you can help Florida's natural communities thrive with native animals.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.
NATIVE YARDS
Annual. Being a good steward of Florida's natural environment can start in your own backyard! You can help Florida's environment stay natural and healthy by planting native species, eradicating exotic species, and creating an earth-friendly mini-environment on your property. Learn what landscaping styles and plants will bring a diversity of native wildlife for you to enjoy.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.
PLANT POLLUTION
Annual. A diversity of plant and animal species survive in Florida's tropical environment, including both native species and exotic species. These exotic, non-native plants include varieties of ferns, trees, shrubs, and grasses, and often compete with species native to Florida. Find out how to identify these plants and what you can help Florida's natural communities thrive with native animals.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.
NATURE WALK
Quarterly. Experience the tranquility nature has to offer while traversing through the natural communities that comprise this state park. Natural ecology and cultural history are presented during an hour-long ranger-guided walk.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.
SECRETS OF THE SALT MARSH
Quarterly. Discover the importance of estuarine systems that surround the inshore sides of barrier islands like those islands of the Talbot Islands State Parks complex. This ranger-guided hike along the salt marsh will help point out why these areas are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, the many roles the salt marsh plays, the plant and animal life found in this natural community,and the impacts humans have on this system.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.
GUIDED NATURE HIKE INTO FIRE ADAPTED ECOSYSTEMS
Annual. This guided Ranger hike provides an informative background about the exciting natural communities that are adapted to fire at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park. Explore the plants and animals that thrive in a fire maintained landscape. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, water, bug repellent, and sunscreen.
Call 904-251-2320 for more details.

Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail. For volunteer information, please refer to the Little Talbot Island State Park webpage