Encompassing over 1,200 acres between Navarre and the Gulf of Mexico, Navarre Marsh Coastal Preserve provides opportunities to experience fragile ecosystems and abundant wildlife first-hand. Mangrove forests, saltwater marshes, pitcher plant bogs, pine flatwoods and scrub habitat create diverse natural settings to explore. The preserve allows visitors to closely observe native plants and animals via hiking trails, boardwalks, and kayak launches into serene marsh waters.
Expansive Habitats
Multiple ecological communities thrive within the Navarre Marsh Preserve thanks to its size and geography. Saltwater marshes intermix with freshwater marshes and pitcher plant bogs. Maritime forests of slash pine and oak contrast scrubby sandy areas. Mangrove clusters edge the marsh islands.
This habitat diversity leads to abundant species that visitors can experience up-close. Trailside interpretive signs detail the unique plants and animals inhabiting each ecosystem. Stop to take in the sights, sounds and smells of each environment as you explore the preserve.
Coastal Marsh Kayaking
To fully immerse yourself in the tranquil marsh habitats, a kayak or canoe is a must. Multiple launch points provide access to the preserves’ waterways and lagoons. Paddling along mangrove shorelines allows close viewing of sunbathing birds like egrets and roseate spoonbills. Watch for jumping mullet fish, scuttling fiddler crabs, and even dolphins coming through the pass on high tide.
Guided eco-tours led by local outfitters are also available seasonally. Expert naturalists identify native plants and animals while describing the vital ecological role of marsh ecosystems. Kayaking Navarre’s marshes provides peaceful paddling and plenty of nature encounters.
Loggerhead Trail
This easy 1-mile loop trail begins from a boardwalk located on Gulf Boulevard. Interpretive signs describe the coastal dune habitat and its specialized flora and fauna. Watch for tracks left by coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and armadillos in the sand.
The trail leads out to a pristine stretch of sandy beach on the Gulf. During sea turtle nesting season from May to October, you may spot mother loggerhead sea turtles emerging to lay eggs. Remember to avoid nesting areas and fill any holes before leaving the beach.
Scrub Trail
For a better understanding of the sandy, low-nutrient scrub environment, follow the short Scrub Trail loop. Markers identify specialized plants like rusty lyonia and Chapman’s oak, with their tiny leaves and gnarled appearance. These species thrive in the challenging arid, infertile soils. Their small size provides less fuel to feed the frequent wildfires sparked by summer lightning strikes.
Interpretive panels describe how certain plants like the gopher apple have adapted taproots that allow them to resprout rapidly after fire passes. Animals like the gopher tortoise also depend on periodic fires to clear dense vegetation. The Scrub Trail shows how recurring fire shapes this unusual habitat.
Bog Boardwalk
For up-close views of unique carnivorous plants, venture out on the Bog Boardwalk. This plant community occurs where sandy soils create acidic, low-nutrient conditions. Directly adjacent to saltwater, fluctuations in water levels add further challenges for survival.
Yet carnivorous plants like brightly colored pitcher plants, sundews, and butterworts thrive here by trapping insects for nutrients rather than relying only on soil. The Bog Boardwalk’s elevated path protects sensitive roots while allowing photography. Nowhere else can you safely view multiple types of carnivorous plants in their natural setting.
Raptor Rookery
Seasonally from late winter to early summer, numerous bird species nest communally in the pine forest along Windmill Run. In the treetops you may spot large nests belonging to eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets and kites. Watching the frenzy of nesting activity and unfledged chicks is an amazing sight.
However, visitors must be very cautious not to disturb the sensitive rookery. View only from designated trails and avoid excess noise. Do not leave the trail or approach nests. The experience of witnessing the rookery responsibly can create lasting memories.
Guided Tours
For in-depth learning, join a seasonal guided walk offered by organizations like the Audubon Society. Expert naturalists will point out birds, mammals, reptiles and plant life you might otherwise miss. They’ll also share fascinating details about ecosystem functions and animal behaviors only a longtime observer would know.
Nighttime owl prowls, butterfly walks, new moon strolls and birding tours are just some of the specialty programs offered. Signing up for a guided experience ensures you gain a deeper understanding of Navarre’s marvelous native habitats and residents through the preserve.
Navarre Marsh Coastal Preserve provides incredible access into the heart of thriving and fragile Gulf Coast ecosystems. From sandy pines forest to flourishing marshland, a mosaic of habitats shelters an abundance of birds, plants, and wildlife. Wandering boardwalks, paddling kayaks, and roaming trails allows immersion in these special environments and creates memorable nature encounters.