Seven Creeks in Jacksonville: New to Explore

Cedar Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida. Jason Milton photo. Seven Creeks
Cedar Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida. Jason Milton photo.

Jacksonville’s Seven Creeks Recreation Area Awaits Exploration

“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” – Anne Frank

Cast your line from the Edwards Creek Day-Use Area at the Betz-Tiger Point Preserve. Felicia Boyd photo.
Cast your line from the Edwards Creek Day-Use Area at the Betz-Tiger Point Preserve. Felicia Boyd photo

By Nancy Moreland

There are times when the only way to find peace is to vacate the premises.

After a month of homeowner hassles and red tape, I decided it was time to step away from the phone, the computer, and the checkbook to seek solace in nature.

And so, on a crisp Saturday morning blessed by a brilliant blue sky, I set off for Seven Creeks Recreation Area in Jacksonville, Florida.

Located on Jacksonville’s Northside, its woods, marshes, and waterways have drawn people since the Timucua Native Americans. The City of Jacksonville recently rebranded the 5,600-acre area to promote the natural beauty that exists in our own backyard.

Getting People into Nature

“Seven Creeks demonstrates what can happen when the government joins a private entity to create something that allows people to get out and enjoy nature. People are surprised to learn of the variety of ecosystems that exist so close to downtown Jacksonville,” says Jim McCarthy, president of North Florida Land Trust.

Paddle through the Seven Creeks and open waterways. Mark Woods photo.
Paddle through the Seven Creeks and open waterways. Mark Woods photo.

The Trust joined JaxParks, the Florida Park Service, National Park Service, and Timucuan Parks Foundation to define the public conservation lands as a recreational resource. New trail markers guide hikers and cyclists. Interpretative signs explain the region’s natural and human history, from Native Americans to 19th-century pioneers.

The Timucuan Trail Waterway Guide helps paddlers navigate Nassau River and Thomas Creek. As the name implies, the Recreation Area encompasses seven creeks, as well as seven parks and preserves, and more than 30 miles of trails.

Visitors can even enjoy horseback riding through the trails of Seven Creeks Recreation Area. Karen Morgan photo.
Visitors can even enjoy horseback riding through the trails of the Seven Creeks Recreation Area. Karen Morgan photo.

And every inch of it is free and open to the public.

A Natural Respite

My appreciation for Seven Creeks began before I even arrived. Following New Berlin Road, I passed several new home communities and land cleared for more construction.

I said a silent thanks to the agencies that set aside undeveloped land for public enjoyment.

New Berlin and Cedar Point Roads

The Recreation Area boundary begins near the intersection of New Berlin and Cedar Point Roads.

By starting early, I could easily visit all seven areas, depending on trail conditions and the length of my hikes. Then again, I could savor just one trail to the fullest extent, admiring the native flora and fauna, dropping a fishing line, and picnicking on the banks of a tidal creek.

Dogs are welcome on the trails at 7 Creeks too. Nancy Moreland photo.
Dogs are welcome on the trails at 7 Creeks too. Nancy Moreland photo.

I did not have a trusty steed by my side, so I bypassed Jim Wingate Preserve, though this equestrian trail is open to hikers and bikers.

If you want to access the trails leading to Pumpkin Hill Preserve State Park, it’s your best bet.

Moving onto Bogey Creek Preserve, just a short distance into the trail, I entered an emerald enclave of live oaks, their massive limbs sleeved in resurrection fern.

A hawk screeched overhead. Songbirds darted about in unseen places.

A pileated woodpecker’s primal call resonated through the trees. Just as suddenly, the woods fell quiet except for the sound of my footsteps crunching through leaves.

As I focused on the moment, the turmoil and troubles of the previous weeks faded.

As often happens on hikes, I encountered a pleasant surprise around the next bend. Three friendly Labrador Retrievers rushed to greet me. Their owners weren’t far behind.

You’ll encounter North Florida’s unique mix of fresh and salt water marshes, woods and waterways. Nancy Moreland photo.
You’ll encounter North Florida’s unique mix of fresh and saltwater marshes, woods, and waterways. Nancy Moreland photo.

Pausing to chat, the women were fascinating and helpful, suggesting several Jacksonville spots worthy of exploration.

They praised the organizations that preserved these woods and share,   “I have no shortage of enthusiasm for the treasures of Seven Creeks. You could hike for miles and never cover the same trail twice”.

Tempting as it was to linger, the Labradors and their owners forged on and so did I, eventually arriving at the creek. Bordered by tawny marsh grasses, its dark waters reflected a blue sky dotted with cumulus clouds.

I could not imagine a more peaceful place to dine during a pandemic than the picnic table overlooking the creek.

A Multi-use Destination

All trails within Seven Creeks have been expanded and feature new signage to offer easier navigation for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Nany Moreland photo.
All trails within Seven Creeks have been expanded and feature new signage to offer easier navigation for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Nancy Moreland photo.

With lunchtime hours away and miles to cover, I left Bogey Creek behind. From the trailhead, I drove a short distance to Cedar Point Preserve.

Within minutes of parking my car, I discovered the Anderson Family Cemetery. Established in 1901, it was the first of many clues that people have been here for generations.

Cedar Point’s 7.3 miles of trails wind through 618-acres of native Florida oak hammock, pine flatwoods, and fresh and saltwater marshes.

Hiking the trail, I realized that 7 Creeks Recreation Area offers something for everyone: hikers, cyclists, kayakers, fishermen, birders, equestrians, families, and history buffs.

Case in point: Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park. If you enjoy off-road biking, horseback riding, or hiking, this park’s multi-use trails await exploration.

With 15 miles of trails connecting to even more trails in neighboring preserves, you’ll never run out of places to play.

Compared to the shady, mossy, oak-filled hammocks of Bogey Creek, Pumpkin Hill’s coastal uplands basked beneath a sun-drenched sky.

  At Betz-Tiger Point visitors will find the Edwards Creek Day-Use Area, complete with a fishing platform, kayak launch and picnic area. Nancy Moreland photo.
At Betz-Tiger Point visitors will find the Edwards Creek Day-Use Area, complete with a fishing platform, kayak launch and picnic area. Nancy Moreland photo.

I soon discovered another aspect of the park’s personality. Sheltering under maritime oaks at the Pumpkin Hill Creek kayak launch, I let a brisk breeze wash over me.

Cabbage palms rustled like paper in the wind. I savored the scent of ocean mixed with mud, gazed at the salt marshes, and thought, “This is why I live in Northeast Florida.”

Of every spot I visited, Betz-Tiger Point Preserve is the most family-friendly, especially the Edwards Day Use area.

A new boardwalk and paved trail connect visitors to restrooms, picnic shelters with grills, a kayak/canoe launch, and a fishing platform.

This is where you’ll find a large display of the Nassau River-Thomas Creek Paddling Guide.

Over at Cedar Point Preserve, a man fished from the Pumpkin Hill Creek bridge, with his eight-month-old grandson strapped to his chest in a baby carrier. “You’re starting him off young!” I said.

Kayak launches providing access to the extensive network of tidal creeks and rivers. Mayda Velez photo.
Kayak launches providing access to the extensive network of tidal creeks and rivers. Mayda Velez photo.

The baby grabbed for a fish as the man reeled it in. “Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” he said with a smile. He was one of a handful of people I encountered at Cedar Point. There was plenty of room to roam, free from the crush of crowds.

Spanish Mission

Seven Creeks Recreation Area offers endless outdoor exploration. Nancy Moreland photo.
Seven Creeks Recreation Area offers endless outdoor exploration. Nancy Moreland photo.

Cedar Point’s backstory includes a 16th-century Spanish mission and a 19th-century plantation.

Located on the south end of Black Hammock Island, the trails beckon hikers and cyclists and the boat ramp invites kayakers, boaters, and paddle boarders.

I wasn’t lucky enough to spot a painted bunting, though birders have recorded that avian beauty here, along with more than 200 other species.

By day’s end, I had experienced a good portion of the Seven Creeks Recreation Area. There was still much to explore, including Pescatello Island. I was intrigued by the prospect of a forested, undeveloped island surrounded by salt marsh.

After recent heavy rains, I knew its low-lying paths might be unpassable, so I saved Pescatello for another time. I had found the solace Anne Frank spoke of, and I knew, with so much to explore so close to home, there will be another time.

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Know Before You Go to Seven Creeks

  • Driving east on New Berlin Road toward 7 Creeks, you will pass stores and restaurants. The Recreation Area itself has limited facilities. Remember to pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
  • Get trail maps at 7CreeksJax.org
  • Some trails are prone to ticks – check yourself and your pets upon leaving.
  • Trail conditions vary, depending on the weather. Before visiting Pescatello Island, contact the North Florida Land Trust (Monday-Thursday 9-5; Friday 9-3) to check accessibility: 904-479-1967 or info@nflt.org.
  • Carry your cell phone and call 9-1-1 or park staff at 904-251-3537 in case of an emergency.

Nancy Moreland

 

 

Nancy Moreland is an award-winning travel writer and health journalist based in Jacksonville. She has written for the Chicago Tribune, U.S. News & World Report, and other publications.

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