In 2018 Martin County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Office of Greenways and Trails formed a partnership to designate two waterways as State Designated Paddling Trails.
Designation of these trails received broad support from local community and user groups. The trail includes stopover sites managed by Martin County, the City of Stuart and Florida Park Service.
The Martin County Blueway Paddling Trails Map outlines the local portion of the trail system including a list of amenities found in each park. The Martin County paddling trails span 37.7 miles of two river systems – the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River.
The Indian River Lagoon portion of the trail is 16.2 miles long and spans between Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound. This portion of the trail is a part of the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve.
There are 8 different public launch or stopover sites along the trail. There is also a 2.6 mile trail spur that goes through St. Lucie Inlet State Park. The St. Lucie River portion of the trail is 21.5 miles and extends from the Atlantic Ridge State Park/Halpatiokee area to sites near the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Inlet.
There are 13 different public launch or stopover sites along the trail. There is also a 3.6 mile trail spur that runs between Atlantic Ridge and Halpatiokee Preserve.
The designation agreement with FDEP required a commitment from the Martin County Ecosystem Restoration and Management Division to manage both trails.
All waterbodies are sovereign public lands, owned by the Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. Martin County, in conjunction with volunteer groups like the 27-80 Paddling Club, agreed to regularly monitor the waterway and maintain public access facilities along the trail.
We hope you enjoy our beautiful waterways and remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints!
