Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day to day life? Castaway Island Preserve is one of our favorite parks in northeast Florida. In fact, when pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become at one with nature. This is hands-down one of our favorite parks in Jacksonville.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to pack plenty of water! Even though the trail is short and extremely easy, it’s important to stay hydrated.
We strongly suggest visiting the park early in the morning or on a cool day. The trail is lightly shaded, in parts, but it is easy to get overheated in the hot Florida sun. Full disclosure: the park is miserable in the heat… as are most places in Florida.
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What is the history behind Castaway Island Preserve?
The land for the Castaway Island Preserve was set aside in 1999. The city of Jacksonville designed the space to help manage growth, protect the environmentally sensitive salt marshlands, and improve water quality in the area. Today the preserve covers over 200 acres.
For some of the best views of the Intracoastal and marsh, check out the observation outlooks. Head down the Island Trail and veer right to the boardwalk. The boardwalk takes you straight out to the marsh.
There’s an additional boardwalk that leads to a floating dock that serves as a launch site for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. To access this boardwalk, follow the main entrance road to the very back of the park. The launch site is right at the edge of the parking lot, making it easy to put in your water vessel of choice.
What are the highlights of Castaway Island Preserve?
- Kid-friendly interpretive natural trail
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Paddle Boarding
- Education Center
- Hiking
- Biking
- Scoping out the salt marsh wildlife
- It’s pet friendly!
Where is the park located?
The preserve is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located off of San Pablo Road between Atlantic Blvd. and Beach Blvd.
What are the park’s hours?
The park is open during daylight hours. There is also an Education Center that offers special programs. Check the park’s Facebook Page for events.
Our Thoughts on the Castaway Island
Castaway Island Preserve is truly a hidden gem. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Island Trail is the perfect place for little ones to explore and learn about the wildlife that inhabits the area. The trail has paintings of animal paw prints that will keep the kids guessing what animals they will learn about next.
The Island Trail is comprised of boardwalks and paved sidewalks making it easy to navigate for everyone. The trail is approximately one mile long and is a loop trail. We really enjoy taking the boardwalk out to the marsh to look for creatures. The kids love looking out for osprey, fiddler crabs, and woodpeckers.
This is a fantastic park for pups, as well. We’ve taken Lady Belle and Parker here to explore new sights and scents. We always run into family’s with their dogs when we visit.
What is there to do Nearby?
- Adventure Landing
- Cradle Creek Preserve
- Jacksonville Beach Pier
- Fort Caroline
Our family also recommends the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as kid-friendly destinations.
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10 replies on “Exploring Jacksonville’s Stunning Castaway Island Preserve with Kids”
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