Moccasin Island Tract - River Lakes Conservation Area

[Ira Runyan]

Moccasin Island Tract is about 4 miles west of Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds, and is part of the River Lakes Conservation Area owned by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

The River Lakes Conservation Area is District land. It comprises 36,156 acres in Brevard and Osceola counties and includes 14,000 acres the District bought from the Viera Company several years ago. The Moccasin Island Tract was part of that acquisition.

To get there, take the Wickham Road dirt extension that runs west between the Viera Wetlands and the Dan Click Ponds about 4 miles and you will come to the Moccasin Island Tract parking lot at the end of the road. Be advised that the area is open seven days a week. The gate opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m. You don’t want to get locked in there because getting someone to unlock the gate is very difficult and could get you a ticket.

Two trails lead from the parking lot. The north trail is 2.5 miles long and ends in a picnic shelter overlooking Lake Winder. The south trail is 2.6 miles long and ends in a 2-mile loop trail and a marshy area with a shelter.

The area is home to variety of birds and critters, including gopher tortoise, Florida softshell turtles, wood storks, bald eagles, crested caracara, roseate spoonbills, sandhill cranes, white tailed deer, wild hog, bobcat, coyote, burrowing owls, hawks and wild turkey just to name a few.

Be advised that motorized vehicles including motorcycles and all-terrain or track vehicles are not allowed on the property.