Clifton S. Perry Beach is a 17-acre natural area on Stuart, FL that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon. The site supports beach and dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, and tidal mangrove swamp habitats. It also provides important refuge for rare plant and animal species. The property was acquired through Martin County’s Parks and Conservation Lands Sales Tax program and the Florida Communities Trust to protect these rapidly disappearing coastal ecosystems.
The park includes a small shellrock parking area with a designated bus space and a shaded bench near the entrance. An interpretive trail and boardwalk allow visitors to learn about the lagoon environment while traveling toward the water. Stairs from the boardwalk provide direct access for wading, and a canoe and kayak launch offers entry to the Indian River Lagoon. A fishing pier extends further into the estuary, and an open-air educational pavilion provides seating for group programs. A sidewalk also connects the site to nearby Santa Lucea Beach for additional shoreline access.
Clifton S. Perry Beach is part of the state-designated Florida paddling trail network and serves as a gateway for passive recreation and environmental education along the lagoon.
Read on about more things to do, see, and enjoy on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
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