Bluefield Ranch Preserve features more than 20 miles of trails through Florida backwoods.
The ranch features the largest stand of scrub in St. Lucie County
Soft sand is the most challenging part of the ride
Few signs mark locations on the ranch
The ranch was once logged for its virgin pine trees
The ranch is navigable during dry periods but is often closed after heavy rains
Hog rooting presents an impediment on the trails.
The ranch features diverse habitat such as this shadyhammock
Bluefield Ranch Preserve
Distance: More than 20 miles of trails through piney scrub flatwoods and prairie.
Surface: Grassy trails and sand, some of which gets soft. Ride can get challenging in spots
Amenities and facilities: Primitive camping.
What you’ll see: Backwoods Florida featuring saw palmetto, pines and prairie hammock.
The Bluefield Ranch Preserve features more than 20 miles of trails that are shared with hikers and horses. A former cattle ranch, the 3,285-acre property features the largest stand of scrub in St. Lucie County. Wildlife commonly seen include hog, turkey, alligator, quail, hawks, eagles, swallow-tail kite, sandhill cranes and meadowlark.
The property has an interesting history and was once the site of a native Seminole encampment. Later, the ranch was once part of a trail to Fort Van Swearingen (1838-1857), which was just a half mile north of the preserve.
In the 20th century, the ranch was logged of its virgin trees anda narrow-gauge railway was built. Known for its abundance of quail, the ranch was later used as a hunting retreat and an airstrip was built to enable wealthy hunters to visit the ranch. During Prohibition, several stills were set up on the ranch and remnants of these can still be seen.
This is a ride for the most ardent naturalists. The trails are often unmarked and you should take care to make sure you know where you are on the preserve so you don’t get lost. You can ride a trail bike through much of the ranch. Sand occasionally gets soft and these are the most challenging parts.
The ranch is often closed after heavy rains and storms, with the flooding closing off much of the trails.
For directions to the Bluefield Ranch preserve, click here.