Northwest Florida Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park
Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park
Written by Sandra Friend
Immediately north of Garcon Point Preserve, Garcon Point Rd (CR 191) is a delight to drive in early April. Pitcher plants bloom roadside, edging the ditches in astounding quantity as you draw closer to Blackwater Bay and Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park.
To ramble among the pitcher plants, turn off onto Dickerson City Rd and into the parking area for this preserve. There are no established trails – yet – so use a GPS or keep within sight of your car as you wander into the open prairies in search of pitcher plants, which line the ditches along this side road as well.
DEP claims that these sweeping wet prairies contain the largest concentration of pitcher plants in all of Florida, and from the side of the road - and the gravel parking area - I'll concur it's an amazing sight. Visit this park in April for the most stunning array of pitcher-plant blooms on the Gulf Coast.
Guidebooks
Exploring Florida's Botanical Wonders
Directions
Directions & LocationExit I-10 at Bagdad and head south on Garcon Point Rd (CR 191) approximately 6 miles. Turn left onto Dickerson City Rd and immediately left into the small, unmarked parking area with a gate.
Overview
OverviewLocation: Bagdad
Length: unknown—no marked trails
Lat-Long: 30.484300, -87.071500
Type: no marked trails. Make your own
Fees / Permits: none
Good for: botanical wonders
Difficulty: 3 of 5 – boggy ground, no defined trails
Bug factor: 3 of 5
Restroom: no
Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park website
