Description
Notice of Partial Opening
Beginning Wed Oct 7, 2020 until further notice, Blowing Rocks Preserve is partially open to the public, with a number of restrictions in place for the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and the community.
Facilities
As of February 10, 2021 our west parking lot and Lagoon Loop trail are now open to the public. The Hawley Education Center, restroom facilities, and other west side trails remain closed until further notice. (Nearest public restrooms are located at Coral Cove Beach Park, approximately one mile south on Beach Road.)
See more closure and protocol details under the Visit tab.
Overview
After five decades of protecting Florida’s great places, The Nature Conservancy considers Blowing Rocks Preserve one of our proudest achievements. This peaceful, barrier island sanctuary is a well-known model for large-scale, native coastal habitat restoration.
The ecosystems found here are disappearing fast from many Florida islands, and a number of endangered plants and animals call this special place home—including rare loggerhead, green and leatherback sea turtles.
The preserve was named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline—the largest on the Atlantic coast. During extreme high tides and after winter storms, seas break against the rocks and force plumes of saltwater up to 50 feet skyward. It’s an impressive sight. What exactly are the Blowing Rocks?