Water Based Camping, Space Coast South

Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area
The Three Forks Conservation Area extends from State Road 192 west of Melbourne southward to the Fellsmere Grade, which forms the southern border of Brevard County and Indian River County and contains Three Forks Marsh, within which three creeks come together to form the first discernable channel of the St. John's River. Camp Holly on State Road 192 is the only clear kayak access point to the Three Forks Area allowing you to actually travel the headwaters of the St. John's River. Paddling south from here will take you to Sawgrass lake, little Sawgrass lake, then to Lake Hell N Blazes, and finally to the Three forks that become the St. Johns. This is an upstream paddle as the St. John's flows to the north, but not that difficult as the flow is very "lazy" and it is well worth the paddle. Of special interest to boaters and kayakers are the 5 designated campsites and camping platforms within the Three Forks Area.
FFWCC Brochure
Property Map
Primitive campsites and platforms
Camping Rules Regulations and Reservations

Note; These campsites are designed primarily for airboat access along airboat trails, and due to the terrain most are located some distance from the open water of the lakes and river. During the rainy season you may be able to reach some of them in a kayak via flooded airboat trails, other times you will have to either walk or may even find them impossible to access without an airboat. The Google Satellite image locations are based on co-ordinates provided by the St. John's River Water Management District, and may not be depicted on Google with 100% accuracy.

Campsite Links	Satellite	GPS
East Union Cypress Camp	Google	N 28 03.842 W 80 46.140
North Indian Field Camp	Google	N 28 02.910 W 80 47.211
Spade Island Camp	Google	N 28 01.155 W 80 47.857
Bulldozer Camp	Google	N 27 59.941 W 80 48.213
Great Egret Camp	Google	N 27 54.654 W 80 45.728

Put in site for Three Forks Conservation Area

Camp Holly; This privately owned fish camp is located on State Road 192 where it crosses the St. Johns West of Melbourne. Features include boat ramps, a bar, bait, tackle, boat rentals, airboat rides, and live entertainment. Putting in here provides access to the River Lakes Conservation Area to the North, and Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area to the South.
Camp Holly Website
GPS N 28 05.105 W 80 45.110
Google Satellite Image

Blue Cypress Conservation Area
This area is part of the Upper St. Johns River Basin Project being implemented by the District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project will reduce flooding, restore and maintain natural hydrologic cycles and protect water quality. It will also reduce freshwater diversions to the Indian River Lagoon estuary and enhance native habitat for fish and wildlife. Blue Cypress Lake and Kenansville Lake are located on the western portion of the area.
The eastern portion of the area contains foraging and nesting habitat for the listed snail kite. Wetland-dependent species found here include great blue herons, white ibis, snowy egrets, limpkins and night herons. Other species include wood storks, ospreys and bald eagles. There are three primary locations for Paddling this area.
The Fellesmere Grade Recreation Pad allows access to the Stick Farm Marsh 13 area. These areas are world reknowned for their Bass fishing. The Stick Farm gets it's name from the fact that it was once a forest. It was flooded in order to create an impoundment to treat water coming in from the C-54 Canal before it could distribute accumilated pollutants and nutrients to the Upper St. John's Marsh, improving the water quality of the River. This stump filled marsh is a great place to paddle in the fall and winter to see flocks of migratory ducks. There is a campsite along the "Zig Zag Canal.

Stick Farm / Marsh 13 Area	Satellite	GPS
Duck Camp	Google	N 27 45.273 W 80 43.316

Directions: From I-95 in Palm Bay, take Exit 173 (Malabar Road) and go 0.25 miles east to Babcock Street (CR 507). Turn right and go south on Babcock for approximately 11 miles. Turn right onto Fellsmere Grade Road just after crossing the C-54 Canal. From the intersection of 1-95 and CR 512 (Exit 156), head west for three miles to CR 507 (Babcock Street). Turn right (north) and, after five miles, turn left (west) onto Fellsmere Grade Road, just south of the C-54 Canal. Go all the way to the end of the dirt road (about six miles).
Fellsmere Grade Recreation Pad / Stick Marsh - Farm 13
GPS N 27 49.343 W 80 42.478
Google Satellite Image
Another great place for fishing and exceptional wildlife viewing, the Blue Cypress Water Management Area which is a water management area within the Blue Cypress Conservation Area, is a rectangular impounded marsh area designed to filter agricultural run-off before being released into the pristine headwaters of the St. Johns River. The southern end of the management area, southwest of the CR-512 launchsite is off limits to airboats and boats with motors greater than 10 HP. The sections northwest of the launch, and northeast of the launch are open to airboats, however, the levee heading east of the launch is private and off limits as is the impoundment southeast of the launch. There are three primitive campsites within the northeast impoundmentThe area supports several wading bird rookeries and the eastern portion contains foraging and nesting habitat for the endangered snail kite. Other wetland dependant species found here include all of the egrets and herons (including both night herons), glossy and white ibises, purple gallinules, limpkins and wood storks. Wood ducks and Florida mottled ducks are found year-round and the marshes are used extensively in fall and winter by migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Bald eagles, hawks, vultures, anhingas, ospreys and crested cara cara are commonly seen. In addition to previously mentioned wildlife, American and least bitterns, king rails, soras and fulvous whistling ducks may be viewed here.
Directions: Public access to the water management area is at the Blue Cypress Recreation Area, which can be reached from the CR 512 and SR 60 exits off I-95. From I-95, take Exit 156 (CR 512) and go west. Go through the town of Fellsmere and continue south on CR 512. The recreation area is 2 miles north of SR 60. You can also take the SR 60 (Vero Beach) exit from I-95. Go west on SR 60 for 7.5 miles. Turn right onto CR 512, then go north 2 miles.
Blue Cypress Restoration Area
GPS N 27 39.762 W 80 38.667
Google Satellite Image
Blue Cypress Conservation Area Property Map
Blue Cypress Water Management Area Paddling Map

Blue Cypress Water Management Area Camps	Satellite	GPS
Farm Levee Camp	Google	N 27 39.739 W 80 39.547
North Camp	Google	N 27 41.741 W 80 37.143
Winter Camp North	Google	N 27 40.756 W 80 37.658
Winter Camp South	Google	N 27 39.805 W 80 36.660

Indian River Lagoon Spoil Island Project Camping

Between 1953 and 1962, the Intracoastal Waterway was dredged through the Indian River Lagoon in order to provide an inshore shipping lane up the east coast of the United States with a depth of 12 feet. The sand and other bottom sediment was simply dumped to one side of the channel as the dredging progressed. Over time these "Spoil Islands", as they are called developed a cover of native and exotic vegetation and became miniature ecosystems unto themselves. As more of the natural shoreline of the Indian River Lagoon was developed, many of this birds began moving to these spoil islands to hatch and raise their young and some of these islands have become important rookery islands. Of the 137 islands within the four county area of the Indian River Lagoon, 125 of them are now owned by the State of Florida and are managed by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). The various islands have been given divided into four classifications based on the native habitat found and their ability to support various recreational pursuits.
The classifications are as follows.....
Conservation; These islands have the highest levels of native habitat in and around the islands, and many have become established bird rookeries. These island have a "Do Not Land" policy. Do not approach by boat or kayak closer than 100 yards from Febuary through August.
Education; An island with this classification has a high ecological diversity and is somewhat sensitive to human intrusion. However they do make a great educational resource.
There are two subgroups of Recreation Islands, Passive and Active. On these islands the ecological value is minimal, they have little or no seagrass beds around them, harbor no endangered or threatend species, and typically have at least one side with water deep enough to make an approach by boat.
Passive Recreation islands are suitable for day use such as exploring and picnicing. They are typically not large enough or too densely vegetated to support the development of structures for camping, so there will be no facilities whatsoever on the island, However, primative camping is allowed.
Acitve Recreation Islands are large enough and have enough open areas support the building of structures such as sanitary facilities, campsites, fire pits, docks, etc, to support overnight camping.
Indian River Lagoon Spoil Island Project Website

Recreation Islands

Aerial View showing Spoil Islands BC36 thru BC43

Island	Use Designation	Satellite Imagery	GPS
BC36	Passive	Google	N 27 59.696 W 80 32.827
BC37	Passive	Google	N 27 59.339 W 80 32.627
BC38	Passive	Google	N 27 58.959 W 80 32.524
BC39	Conservation	Google	N 27 58.564 W 80 32.417
BC40	Passive	Google	N 27 58.116 W 80 32.272
BC43	Passive, Recently washed away no longer campable	Google	N 27 57.082 W 80 31.525

Aerial View showing Spoil Islands BC44A thru BC47

Island	Use Designation	Satellite Imagery	GPS
BC44A	Passive	Google	N 27 56.726 W 80 31.373
BC44B	Active	Google	N 27 56.515 W 80 31.351
BC45	Active	Google	N 27 56.053 W 80 31.302
BC46	Active	Google	N 27 54.964 W 80 30.807
BC47	Active	Google	N 27 54.569 W 80 30.455

Aerial View showing Spoil Islands BC48 thru BC53

Island	Use Designation	Satellite Imagery	GPS
BC48	Active	Google	N 27 53.989 W 80 30.415
BC49	Conservation	Google	N 27 53.989 W 80 30.415
BC50	Passive	Google	N 27 53.267 W 80 29.900
BC51	Conservation	Google	N 27 52.972 W 80 29.726
BC52	Conservation	Google	N 27 52.623 W 80 29.582
BC52A	Passive Recently washed away, no longer campable	Google	N 27 52.202 W 80 29.401
BC53	Conservation	Google	N 27 51.796 W 80 29.210

Aerial View showing Spoil Islands IR1 thru IR5

Island	Use Designation	Satellite Imagery	GPS
IR1	Active	Google	N 27 50.642 W 80 28.554
IR2	Passive	Google	N 27 50.055 W 80 28.312
IR3	Conservation	Google	N 27 49.682 W 80 28.104
IR4	Passive	Google	N 27 49.496 W 80 27.707
IR5	Passive	Google	N 27 49.135 W 80 27.541

Aerial View showing Spoil Islands IR6 thru IR19

Island	Use Designation	Satellite Imagery	GPS
IR6	Education	Google	N 27 48.869 W 80 27.420
IR8	Conservation	Google	N 27 48.552 W 80 27.534
IR9A	Active	Google	N 27 48.352 W 80 27.438
IR9B	Passive	Google	N 27 48.197 W 80 27.299
IR10	Passive	Google	N 27 48.065 W 80 27.247
IR11	Passive	Google	N 27 48.025 W 80 27.204
IR12	Passive	Google	N 27 47.838 W 80 27.119
IR13	Passive	Google	N 27 47.777 W 80 27.040
IR14	Passive	Google	N 27 47.630 W 80 26.968
IR15	Conservation	Google	N 27 46.946 W 80 26.468
IR16	Conservation	Google	N 27 46.815 W 80 26.387
IR17	Conservation	Google	N 27 46.724 W 80 26.321
IR18	Conservation	Google	N 27 46.618 W 80 26.242
IR19	Conservation	Google	N 27 46.503 W 80 26.159

Spoil Island Access Launch Sites

Castaway Point Park
2990 Bay Blvd. NE Palm Bay, FL 32905
This park is located on the northern shoreline of Palm Bay (The city's namesake bay) at the mouth of Turkey Creek and has two fishing docks, and a beach suitable for launching kayaks. On US-1 3.4 miles south of the Melbourne Causeway, turn east on Bay Blvd NE. Park will be on right. From here the northernmost island listed above (BC36) will be about a 4.3 mile paddle to the south from the park along the western shore of the Indian River Lagoon.
GPS N 28 02.420 W 80 34.898
Google Satellite Image

John Jorgensens Landing
5045 Highway 1, Grant
LOCATED on the Indian River Lagoon 2-miles south of Valkaria Road (0.3 miles north of First Street).
Boat ramps open 24 hours a day.
This active .49-acre boating area includes 300' of shoreline and boat ramps with docks and parking for 25 cars and trailers. The landing is west south west of BC44B, less than one mile.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Dock
GPS N 27 56.250 W 80 31.791
Google Satellite Image

First Street Boat Ramp
4727 1ST Street, Grant
FROM Valkaria Road, go 2.3 miles south on US Hwy 1, turn left to the Indian River.
Boat ramps open 24 hours a day.
This .54-acre boating area provides access to the Indian River. Facilities include a 1-lane boat ramp, parking for 30 cars and 6 trailers, and a boat dock. The ramp is located almost due west, just slightly south of BC45.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, 160' Dock.
GPS N 27 55.750 W 80 31.561
Google Satellite Image

Fishermans Landing
5795 S US Highway 1, Grant-Valkaria
FROM US-192 (Melbourne Cswy), go south 11 miles on US Hwy 1, entrance is on the left.
Featuring the Grant Historical House, this scenic 7.48-acre community river park is a perfect wayside stop for travelers and a convenient site for community events. The shaded pavilion and 2 grills with restrooms nearby, path and boardwalk invite picnics and leisurely strolls. The fishing deck accommodates fishing, and may be used by boaters to access the restrooms and picnic area. Although motorized boat launching is not permitted, hand-carried canoes and kayaks may put-in from the north parking area. located on the western shore of the lagoon just north of island BC46.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark, except for scheduled use.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms, Pavilion, River Boardwalk, Fishing Dock.
GPS N 27 55.273 W 80 31.186
Google Satellite Image

Dale Wimbrow Park
11805 Roseland Road, Sebastian Fl.
This park provides access to the south fork of the Sebastian River and is located across Roseland Road from the Sebastian Municipal Airport.
GPS N 27 48.623 W 80 30.268
Google Satellite Image

Donald MacDonald Park
Located at 12315 Roseland Road in Roseland on the Sebastian River (northern Indian River County). Features include 29 primitive campsites and one site with electricty, an observation boardwalk, boat launch, restrooms with showers, fire pits, concrete picnic tables. The Park is open 365 days per year. There are no reservations taken and camping availability is on a first come first serve basis. Donald MacDonald Ranger's Office also has a Multipurpose Room available for rentals. For more information, please call 772-589-0087.
GPS N 27 49.041 W 80 30.292
Google Satellite Image

Riverview Park
650 Indian River Drive Sebastian, FL 32958
This 16-acre community park includes a popular windsurfing site. The shoreline is accessible for fishing and for non-motorized watercraft. A pavilion seats 200 and includes grills and access to restrooms, sand volleyball court, playground and benches. It is located almost due west of island IR8 and provides easy access to the southernmost camping islands in the Space Coast coverage area of IR9A thru IR14.
GPS N 27 48.547 W 80 27.846
Google Satellite Image

Wabasso Causeway Park
Located between the two bridges of the Wabasso Causeway at the base of the taller (western) bridge. The address listed on the Indian River County website is wrong. Anyway, the features include a boat launch, restroom facilities, picnic tables, covered pavilions, paved parking area and canoe launch. Hours are from 7:00 am until sunset (restrooms only).
GPS N 27 45.436 W 80 25.314
Google Satellite Image

Space Coast North	Space Coast Central	Space Coast South
Watercraft Access	Watercraft Access	Watercraft Access
Land Access	Land Access	Land Access

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