The Smyrna Dunes State Park in Florida

In past articles, I have written about New Smyrna Beach, its residential parks and Florida's ecosystem in general. What about if you want to experience everything, but at one place? Does a place like this even exist, one with all the varied ecosystems known in Volusia County Florida, each unique unto themselves? What about being able to glimpse historic landmarks in the process, while still reveling in water sports and total nature?

Say you like the beach, but hate the cars and exhaust fumes that unfortunately plague New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach. What if you live in fear of possibly being run over by a dapper Dan too busy ogling a bikini babe to pay attention to the ten mile and hour speed limit on the sand? If this is the case, then Smyrna Dunes State Park is for you.

This park is a nature lover's dream, and highly regarded as one of Florida's naturally pristine, protected environments. Studied by botanists and environmentalists, the park has varied plant life, that both thrive in salt water, plus a sandy environment as well. Various horticultural hot spots flourish, in harmony with the aquatic environment, consisting of both the Indian River and the Atlantic ocean.

The ecosystem is fragile here, despite the hearty atmosphere, and there are long boardwalks to walk to the water's edge, home to manatees in the river, dolphins in the ocean, and an occasional gator or two in the marshy areas. There are a variety of birds at the Smyrna Dunes, including the Florida scrub jay, and other colorful feathered friends. It is not unusual to see the predatory as well as the singing kind. Bird watching is mandatory, so bring binoculars.

This area is a hiker's dream as well. There are lot's of spots to sightsee and power walk at the same time, and the raised platform walkway makes it easy to avoid the insects that tend to flourish around plant life, but are not necessarily air-born in that locale. Its nice to walk along the boardwalk and get a bird's eye view of the surrounding area, which is truly breathtaking. At the edge of the peninsula, one can see the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station (the red lighthouse on the Ponce Inlet), across the Atlantic Ocean.

There is so much to do, from gentle observation, to study of plant and marine life, to fantastic water sports, that it may be worth traveling to New Smyrna Beach for this park alone. The park allows boating, swimming and fishing, though unlike New Smyrna's main beach off Flagler Avenue, there are no lifeguards on duty. Dogs used to be allowed in the park, but recently they have been banned, due to the instances of owners not cleaning up after their pets on the board walk, but you may want to check ahead of time with a park ranger if planning a trip with your pooch for current park rules.

Smyrna Dunes is easily located once on Flagler Avenue. To get to Flagler Avenue, take U.S.-1 to Canal Street, make a quick left past the Turnbull Ruins, then a right onto Flagler Avenue. Cross over the North Causeway Bridge, one of the only drawbridges in the immediate area, and make a left down Peninsula Drive.

Sources:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida Ornithological Society