The mangroves provide an important habitat for fish, invertebrates, and a variety of bird species such as roseate spoonbills, wood storks, terns, black skimmers and egrets. West Indian manatees are sometimes seen near the shore in Indian River Lagoon.

Avalon State Park, located on North Hutchinson Island, is a surfer’s paradise. As you head toward the beach, you will walk down a path made of coquina shells that traverses a pristine dune ecosystem.

In the early morning you’ll be surrounded by bird sounds. Warblers flit by, chasing each other and feeding on insects and brightly colored native berries.

The coastal hammock is a unique mixture of hardwoods such as oaks, bay trees, sea grapes and many other beneficial natives.

At the midway point along the Crystal River between the freshwater springs of Kings Bay and the salty waters of the Gulf of America, there is a place where you can stand in the same space where native Americans stood more than 500 years ago.

Learn about Florida's frontier in 1876 through the eyes of cow hunters.

Visit the museum to see exhibits, artifacts and a video about the prehistoric coastal dwellers who used the area in ancient times.

Florida boasts over 630 miles of beaches and if you visited every beach, you would notice many different colors and textures of sand. Why are there so many different colors?

A question frequently heard from visitors to the park is, “what is that tree?” More often than not, it’s a seagrape, with its distinctive big round leaves that can be large enough to use as a plate.

Named for its massive block-like head, the loggerhead is Florida’s most common sea turtle. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is home to the loggerhead sea turtle.