Lisa Barton

The Ponte Vedra Beach area has so much to offer in terms of beautiful natural areas.  One of my favorites is Guana State Park, now known as Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Esturarine Research Reserve (GTM).  We went there this Sunday afternoon for a hike. The main entrance is about twelve miles south of Ponte Vedra off of A1A.  Parking is $3 per vehicle and the trails are open to hiking/biking daily from 8am to sunset.

We picked up a Trail Map and information pamphlet at the entrance (also available at the start of the trails) and drove across the dam to the parking area that leads into the trail system. Ten miles of very well defined hiking trails are available. We followed the Yellow Trail (the shortest at about 1 mile) that leads out to Shell Bluff for an historic and scenic overlook of the Tolomato River (as the Intracoastal is referred to in this area). This trail is actually a dirt road that passes through a variety of habitats. We were amazed at how quickly the world fell away once we started walking. We saw a number of different birds in the marsh area, and then watched an armadillo rummage around in the undergrowth. A little girl and her brother shared with us their excitement about the animals they had seen, and seemed most excited by the crabs in the old coquina well at the Tolomato end of the trail. We also saw a number of people with their dogs, which are welcome as long as they are on a six-foot hand held leash.

Besides the hiking trails, the GTM offers a small boat ramp, fishing areas, access to both the Guana Lake and to the Guana River for kayaks and canoes, beach access and the Environmental Education Center. Overall the Reserve encompasses over 60,000 acres of conservation lands. Hunting is allowed in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area but is not permitted in the areas laid out for hiking. In the past I’ve biked the whole length of the park, starting at the north end access just south of the 210 bridge, following the roads all the way down to dam. A very fun morning with friends in a beautiful setting of live oaks, marshlands, and pond pine flatwoods, with access to several overlooks along the way. Try it out, I think you’ll love it. You may even want to become a supporter.

For more information call the GTM Research Reserve at 904-823-4500 or visit one of two websites:

• The Guana - Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve)
• Friends of the Rescue