St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a Florida barrier island accessible only by water. To the north is the St. Lucie Inlet, the Indian River Lagoon to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Jupiter Island to the south.

One way to experience the park is paddling the 4.2-mile trail loop with a stop at the south beach access point for lunch, rest and a swim in the ocean.

After launching from Cove Road Park, be mindful of boats when paddling east through the Great Pocket. There are two ways to the kayaking trail: one access to the north and another to the south.

Once on the trail, you are surrounded by mangrove estuaries and maritime hammocks for the majority of the trip. Wading birds such as blue heron, white ibis and snowy egrets are common along the trail.

Maps of park:

Map of the St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park kayak trail.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park map.

Crystal Vander Weit is a visual journalist for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. You can reach her at [email protected] and can view some of her recent work here.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: The St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park kayak trail is worth the ride