Princess Place Preserve

Hikes by City

Northeast Florida

Written by Sandra Friend

At Princess Place Preserve Explore easy trails “fit for a princess” on the oldest homestead in Flagler County

At the confluence of Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River, Princess Place Preserve is a Flagler County park protecting the oldest homestead in the county, Cherokee Grove. In 1791, this land grant from the King of Spain was quickly planted in orange groves. By 1886, it passed into the hands of Henry Cutting, who constructed an Adirondack-style hunting lodge on the shores of the Matanzas River using local materials—pink coquina, cedar trunks, and cabbage palm trunks. He also built Florida’s first in-ground pool, fed by an artesian spring. Cherokee Grove became a popular stop for New England socialites. After Henry died, his widow Angela married an exiled Russian prince. Together, they lived in Cherokee Grove, entertaining royalty in a royal setting, leading to the name Princess Place. The homestead became a park in 1993.

There are four hiking loops at the park, all gentle and relatively easy to follow. The Red/Orange Trail provides your choice of a long (2.2 miles) or short loop; the Blue Trail runs 1.1 miles along the estuarine fringe; and the Green Trail has a 0.8-mile loop around an artesian spring. A fourth, the Yellow Trail, was not open at the time of my visit but is now. All trails are shared with horse and bikes, so keep alert while hiking.

Guidebooks
50 Hikes in North Florida
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State
North Florida & the Florida Panhandle: An Explorer's Guide

Locator

Directions & Location
Princess Place Preserve is south of St. Augustine and north of Palm Coast. From exit 298 on I-95 at US 1, head south 1.7 miles to Old Kings Road, on your left just after you cross Pellicer Creek. Turn left. Drive slowly along the dirt road, which briefly exhibits some pavement as you cross a bridge over I-95. You pass the Pellicer Creek Conservation Area sign. After 1.5 miles, turn left at the sign for Princess Place Preserve. Drive 1.3 miles on Princess Place Road to the park gate. Continue another 0.3 mile to the Red/Orange Trail parking area on the left to start your first hike.

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Overview

Overview
Location:         Cherokee Grove
Length:          Up to 5.2 miles in 4 trails
Lat-Long:           29.654000, -81.241431
Type:               Loop and round-trip
Fees / Permits:   none
Good for:          big trees, birding, children, history, wildlife watching
Difficulty:           2 of 5
Bug factor:        2 of 5
Restroom:         Yes

In addition to a tour of the classic home and grounds, Princess Place Preserve has many miles of equestrian trails leading into adjacent Pellicer Creek Conservation Area, and kayaking opportunities throughout the marshes. The campground is one of the most beautiful on the coast, with some sites featuring their own docks, and only costs $10 a night. The park is open 7 AM to 6 PM daily.

Princess Place website