Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park: Stuart's Hidden State Park

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park is a 4,886-acre Florida state park in south Stuart. It sits between U.S. 1 and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, and it is used for hiking, biking, horseback riding and birdwatching. It is managed by nearby Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and you need a gate code to get in, which you get by calling Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771. The entrance is at 8120 SE Paulson Avenue, off SE Cove Road, the same road that leads to Preserves at Park Trace.

Below, we explain what the park is, how to get in, what you can do there, and what it means to have a state park this close to home.

What Is Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park?

Atlantic Ridge is one of five Florida state parks in Martin County. It protects a large piece of land that slopes from U.S. 1 west down to the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Before the state bought it, the land was a cattle ranch. Florida bought the property in 1998 through a state program that buys land for conservation and recreation. Today it is a day-use park, which means you visit during the day and there is no camping.

The land slopes west from U.S. 1 down toward the river. Along the way it changes from one kind of Florida land to the next:

• Hydric hammock, a shady, wet forest.

• Wet flatwoods, open pine land that floods in the rainy season.

• Wet prairie, grassy low ground.

Sabal palms and live oaks shade much of the land. Wildlife in the park includes Florida sandhill cranes, wood storks and bald eagles. White-tailed deer and river otters are also seen here.

Where the Name Comes From

The park is named for the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. That is a long, low ridge of old sand dunes that runs along much of Florida's east coast. In Martin County, the ridge sits between the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River. Much of it has been built on over the years. Atlantic Ridge Preserve protects what remains of the forested ridge in this part of Martin County.

How to Get In: The Gate Code

This is the part most first-time visitors do not know. The park gate is locked, and there are few signs pointing to it.

Here is how it works:

1. Call Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 before you go and ask for the gate code.

2. Drive to 8120 SE Paulson Avenue, Stuart. SE Paulson Avenue is off SE Cove Road near Kanner Highway.

3. Use the code at the gate, pay the entrance fee, and drive in to the parking area.

Check the Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park page for current hours and fees before you go. Rules and hours can change.

Getting There From Preserves at Park Trace

Preserves at Park Trace is at 6510 SE Park Trace Drive, off SE Cove Road. To reach the park, head west on SE Cove Road toward Kanner Highway and turn onto SE Paulson Avenue. The road passes a neighborhood and Hosford Park before it reaches the state park gate.

That means the park entrance and your front gate share the same main road. It is the kind of perk most buyers do not hear about until they move in.

What You Can Do at the Park

Horseback riding

This is one of the most popular uses of the park. There are close to 30 miles of marked old ranch roads, and the parking area is large enough for horse trailers.

Hiking

Hikers can follow trails through the hammock along the St. Lucie River. Part of the trail system is foot traffic only. Across the river sits Martin County's Halpatiokee Regional Park.

Biking

Bikes are allowed on the multi-use trails. Be ready for soft sand and grass in places. Wide tires help.

Birdwatching

With wetlands, pine land and the river all in one park, it is a good place to spot wading birds, hawks and eagles.

Dogs

Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. Bring water for them.

What to Bring

The park keeps things simple. Plan for that.

• Water. Bring more than you think you need.

• Bug spray. Mosquitoes can be heavy, especially near the river and after rain.

• Sun protection. The open flatwoods have little shade.

• Good shoes. Trails can be sandy, muddy or wet depending on the season.

• A phone with a map. Trail markings vary, so it helps to track where you are.

There is a picnic area near the trailhead and a basic restroom. Services are simple, so pack what you need.

The Best Time to Visit

Florida's dry season, roughly November through April, is the easiest time to explore. The air is cooler, the trails are drier and there are fewer bugs.

In the summer rainy season, parts of the flatwoods and prairie can hold standing water. Trails may be muddy or wet. Go early in the day, before afternoon storms, and check the weather before you leave.

Other Parks Close to South Stuart

South Stuart is surrounded by natural land. A few more to know:

• Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, the larger park that manages Atlantic Ridge. Read our Jonathan Dickinson State Park guide.

• Seabranch Preserve State Park on SE Dixie Highway, with hiking trails through scrub habitat.

• Halpatiokee Regional Park, a Martin County park across the river from Atlantic Ridge.

Why Nearby Parks Matter When You Buy

When people shop for a home, they look at bedrooms, baths and price. Few look at what is down the road. But over the years, being close to open land shapes how you live.

• You exercise more when trails are close.

• You get outside more when it is easy.

• Your kids see real Florida wildlife, not just the backyard.

At Park Trace, D.R. Horton says each homesite backs up to either a preserve area or a pond. Add a state park down the road, and this part of Stuart has a lot of green space for a newer neighborhood.

See the Park Trace floor plans in 4 bedroom house plans at Preserves at Park Trace. For everyday errands and roads, read Port Salerno and daily life near Park Trace. New to the area? Start with Stuart FL zip codes.

See It for Yourself

The best way to judge a neighborhood is to spend a day there. We can set up a visit to the model homes at Preserves at Park Trace and point you to the park while you are in the area. Homes have recently started in the low $600,000s, and incentives change often.

Call 561-704-0091 or book a Park Trace visit near Atlantic Ridge.

Common Questions

Want to live near a state park? Call 561-704-0091 or book at nationalhousesearch.com/schedule.riding,