It was Monday at noon , no breeze, 90 degrees, heat index 107: why not take a walk at Turkey Creek! I was expecting to sweat my you-know-what off, but with shorts and flip-flops it was honestly pleasant. Most of the boardwalk is shaded.
Turkey Creek is great for a quick family outing. The best part? It’s all free!
The 130-acre Sanctuary offers a 1.85 mile boardwalk and 1.5 miles of trails. Within the Sanctuary, there is also a 1 mile mountain bike trail with a direct connection to an additional 8 miles. As well as walking, jogging and biking, the Sanctuary can also be accessed by canoe or kayak.
Location:1518 Port Malabar Boulevard Northeast, Palm Bay, FL 32905. If you’re heading east, turn right just past the community center and drive to the end. There’s always plenty of parking.
Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to sunset.
Margaret Hames Nature Center: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Cost: Admission is completely free.
Rules: No pets (service animals only) and no smoking are allowed inside the sanctuary.
This was actually my first time stopping in the nature center. It was small but impressive. On top of checking out the exhibits, you can sign the guest book, grab a soda, and catch a few extra moments of AC.
If you stick to the boardwalk, Turkey Creek is the perfect length for a summer walk. I’ll leave you with some pictures and fun facts.
Ancient Shoreline: The sanctuary’s hiking ridges are actually the remains of a prehistoric Atlantic Ocean sand dune.
Ice Age Bones: A fossilized bone bed dating back 250,000 years sits directly beneath the sanctuary’s creek banks.
Ais Shell Mounds: The Ais Native Americans utilized this specific land for thousands of years, leaving behind hidden shell middens.
Forest Transformation: Over centuries, decaying organic matter turned the barren ocean sand into the lush hammock forest seen today.
The 1978 Rescue: Local citizens fiercely rallied to buy the property, successfully blocking a massive planned housing development.
Sanctuary Founded: The preserved acreage officially opened as a protected park and wildlife sanctuary in 1981.
Audubon Recognition: The land was later designated an official stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
If you’re new to the area, Turkey Creek is definitely worth checking out. If you’ve lived in the 321 South for a while it’s worth revisiting. And in case you didn’t know, the Palm Bay Public Library is right next door.
I made it back to the car and cranked up the AC. Great walk!
— Nathan
Lucky we saved something. I swear the recent blading for development has even changed our weather - I keep the radar on all the time, rain dances around us now, no matter which way it is coming from…