Spotlight: Tropical St. Lucie South
Spotlight: Tropical St. Lucie South
Tropical camping with a waterfront view. Does it get any better than this?
Whether boating or relaxing, it's always better in a tropical paradise.(Hank and Marge Hamilton)
What You’ll Find
A private, spacious riverfront campground amid a tropical atmosphere abounding with lush vegetation, manatees and more than 60 species of fish. The area is a haven for boaters and water lovers.
Getting There
Located on the St. Lucie Canal portion of the Okeechobee Waterway, the St. Lucie Lock Recreation Area is a 10-minute drive from Stuart, in Martin County, Florida. This area is often referred to as Florida’s Treasure Coast, named for the Spanish Treasure Fleet lost here in a 1715 hurricane.
Stay Here
St. Lucie South Campground offers nine RV and tent sites and eight boat campsites. Campers enjoy watching boats and the occasional manatee pass along the canal while sitting under the Florida sun. All have electric and water hookups except for three tent sites that offer a more primitive camping experience. Additional amenities include a dump station, hot showers, public phones, a playground, a boat ramp and large picnic pavilion. The campground is open year-round.
Make Sure You
Get on a boat while you’re here. Cast a line for largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and the famous Okeechobee Catfish. You may even be lucky enough to catch a tarpon or snook. Check Florida fishing regulations at TakeMeFishing.org.
Try This
Relax and enjoy some quiet contemplation. There’s a reason so many people retire in the Sunshine State. Take a walk on the St. Lucie North Nature Trail, located in a wooded area at the St. Lucie North Day Use Area or take a short drive or bike ride to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, quite possibly one of Florida’s only “secret” beaches (shhhh…) on the Atlantic Ocean. Here, witness nesting sea turtles or sign your kids up for a turtle walk, evening forum or Florida scrub tour.
Gear Up
This area has two seasons: hot and wet. In winter, bring your rain gear or in summer, pack for heat, heat, heat. You’ll find grocery stores, restaurants and shopping centers in the nearby city of Stuart.
