Castaway Island Preserve

This a quick loop very easy, kid friendly & dog friendly... Heavy on the bugs come prepared! As you walk the little trail there are different animals paws leading the way. The boardwalk takes you to a little overlook of the saltwater marsh & the intercostal. Great views to catch a sunset, some people come here and fish off the floating dock next to the trail.

4.25- Gorgeous viewsEasy to get thereEasy parkingNicely marked trails with animal tracks to followLots of crabs- babies as wellBenches for rest if neededPaddle boards for immediate online rentalInformational animal signs along the way definitely need to be replaced- cracked or faded and some we just couldn't readTips: Bring your bug spray! Shaded cover also protects a lot of you want to take a picnic- just no tables closer to the water.

Small park with lots of picnic tables, a short trail, canoe/kayak launch and paddle board rentals.

Enjoyed a walk here today. Unfortunately a few of the interpretive signs have been vandalized.

Beautiful place to visit. I love this place over the Intercoastal Waterways. The trails, slots for camping with picnic tables & overlook gazebos. I am not sure if the camping is for day camping only or overnight camping. I highly recommend that everyone in Jacksonville and visitors to the area, stop in and enjoy the fresh air and nature.

For an area trail this is nice. Has overlooks of the marsh and intracoastal waterways. It was something different for us and it was enjoyable!!

One of our favorite spots to walk, bike, or scoot. :). This park is maintained well and is always clean. They have benches spread out in case you need to stop and take a break, lots of fun info for kids to read while on the paved trail, and picnic tables as well. Pretty place to take pictures as well.

Love this park. Lots of trails to walk, run, or bike. My girls love coming here and I love that they have fun and get a lot of exercise. Plenty of benches along the path in case you need to rest and there are a lot of plaques along the trail that give you information about species in the area. It's very educational.

Castaway Island Preserve is a lovely place to explore nature. It backs up to the Intercoastal Waterway and even has concrete trails.If you stop and read the placements along the trail you will learn about the species that live in the preserve. I was not too thrilled to see the alligator as one of the inhabitants, but thankfully we did not see one!There's also a long wooden bridge that takes you over the marshes and close to the Intercoastal Waterway. When you get to the end there's a bonus, a bench so you can sit and relax and take in the beautiful scenery and take a break from your walk.The preserve is dog friendly which is great! Simba and I made a few new people and dog friends along our journey. I loved it so much I invited a friend and her dog to meet up with me and Simba this weekend at the preserve for another exploration. Can't wait!

Great activity to do with kids. I suggest wearing long pants because there are bugs. I do not take the baby here, because of the bugs. But the older kids enjoy it.