Posted on: August 27, 2020
For many across the country, society’s “new normal” has considerably limited their social life and changed their perspective for the future. And while it’s likely to be considered risky to gather in large groups of family and friends for a while longer, maybe this is the time to explore all the ways to connect with the great outdoors! North Florida is full of amazing natural wonders with wide open spaces and fun attractions. While Nassau County is a path less traveled, it offers a diverse array of activities that has homebuyers appreciating their surroundings like never before. Here are some activities we think will spark any adventurer’s interest.
If you love the ocean, you have to visit Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. Located on the coastline in northeast Florida, these destinations are easy to reach but hard to forget. 13 miles of coastline and over 40 public beach access points allows for plenty of room to relax under the sun, swim in the cool water, or catch some waves if the surf’s up. Top surf spots on the North side include Main Beach, American Beach, Peters Point and Ft. Clinch State Park. You can even check out the area’s surf reports and cams before paddling out. And if you want to literally “hoof it”, you can book a guided local tour of the pristine Atlantic shore by horseback.
For those who prefer traveling on their own two feet, a visit to the area’s best hiking and nature trails will keep you grounded. You can choose to explore yourself, or book a guided nature walk that takes place every Saturday morning at 10:30 am. Four Creeks State Forest covers 13,106 acres, and joins Alligator (Mills), Thomas, Boggy and Plummer Creeks. While there are many ways to explore this massive forest along the forest and service roads, the named Wood-Shingle Mill Trail stretches 2.6 miles from the trailhead located right off State Road 200. If a visit isn’t enough and you want to immerse yourself in nature, Nassau County’s newest community, Tributary, may be exactly what you’ve been searching for. This new community will feature masterfully planned trails that not only wind through its green spaces and parks, but also directly connects to the trailheads of neighboring Four Creeks State Forest.
Nearby, John Muir Ecological Park in Yulee is an easy quarter mile trail that zigzags through the forested marshland connecting a series of picnic shelters. Listen to the birds sing from the trees and even see the main line of one of Florida’s first railroads. History meets nature at Fort Clinch State Park. This historic fort, significant to the Civil War, is only one aspect of the 1,400-acre park. Hiking trails cover all types of terrain and difficulty levels, while winding through forests, marsh and sand dunes. Wildlife observation is very good on these trails. Alligators, deer, gopher tortoises and a variety of birds can be seen throughout the park.
For those looking to trek where the grasses are a bit more maintained, North Florida has almost unlimited options for golf. Nassau County in particular has a handful of courses to choose from. To name a few, the Amelia River Golf Club is a full-service semi-private golf course with a club house, pro shop, PGA golf instruction, practice areas, locker rooms and dining facilities which are open to the public. The 27-hole Fernandina Beach Golf Club is one of the most popular municipal golf facilities in the country with its close proximity to Jacksonville and area beaches. The Golf Club at North Hampton is a signature Arnold Palmer designed golf course. This top-ranked course features spring-fed lakes, wild grasses and various elevation changes, unlike any other design in Northeast Florida.
Still not getting your adrenaline levels up…how does social distancing from 12,000 feet above ground sound? Then freefalling at speeds of over 125 miles per hour. Did I get your attention? Skydiving is definitely a high octane, once in a lifetime adventure and one of the best ways for thrill seekers to take in all of Northern Florida’s natural beauty.
No matter your interests or speeds, Nassau County has something for every outdoor adventurer. One of its most anticipated additions is Tributary, a new master-planned community by GreenPointe Developers that delivers unmatched value in a beautiful, natural sanctuary. Residents of Tributary are invited to “Explore More” with a thoughtfully planned trail system that directly connects to Four Creeks State Forest and Tributary Park. Within the 1,550-acre master-planned community, residents will also enjoy The Lookout Amenity Center complete with a resort-inspired pool, fitness studio, dog park, Adventure Zone Tot-Lot, and so much more! Homes are priced from the $300s, have been unveiled and can be viewed on TributaryLiving.com. Six of the builders’ unique model homes will soon break ground and be ready to tour later this year. Be sure to connect with us to stay updated and discover why Tributary is the perfect place to call home.
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