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Kiplinger Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 271 Google reviews · Running trail in Stuart, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Kiplinger Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Quaint refuge abutting the St. Lucie River featuring numerous trails, gardens & native fauna.
What runners say about Kiplinger Nature Preserve
“Trails are well maintained, easy to follow and overall give you a nice break from the urban setting.”
“Great view of the water in the middle with a bench to relax.”
“A short, 1 mile walk with various boardwalk segments, a floating dock with a cable or kayak slip, picnic table, and sections of shade from canopy coverage.”
“Trails are well maintained, easy to follow and overall give you a nice break from the urban setting.”
“Nice easy walk and well marked trails.”
If you're looking for a quick break from an urban setting Kiplinger Nature Preserve is a great place to get away. The trails take you from the concrete and chaos surrounding you and into the wilderness. Take a stroll down to the river or enjoy the shade for a bit.
A short, 1 mile walk with various boardwalk segments, a floating dock with a cable or kayak slip, picnic table, and sections of shade from canopy coverage. Good amount of parking for the size of the park. Saw several cute dogs there as well. There were a bunch of fiddler crabs to see.
Great little park. Super clean and safe. Great walk or bike ride through the woods on a nice wide path. 75% of it has nice shade cover. Great view of the water in the middle with a bench to relax. Nice tiki hut near the front with picnic tables to relax at. Pet friendly as well.
Nice easy walk and well marked trails. There are no restrooms and a few bridges.
Trail conditions & character
“The halfway point takes you out to a little dock with a bench to enjoy the river view.”
“Park was very empty on a weekend so there was plenty of parking.”
“Two openings onto the trail, I went in the left entrance, but it's one big loop so it doesn't matter which entrance you go in.”
“A short, 1 mile walk with various boardwalk segments, a floating dock with a cable or kayak slip, picnic table, and sections of shade from canopy coverage.”
“Just keep in mind there are no restrooms here so plan accordingly.”
“A caution: A good amount of the trail is a dirt path - it is prone to getting muddy, so I would be wary if you want to visit and its been rainy recently.”
“The literal only downfall is there seems to not be great consideration for leaving behind dog poop on the sides of the trail.”
“A short, 1 mile walk with various boardwalk segments, a floating dock with a cable or kayak slip, picnic table, and sections of shade from canopy coverage.”
Plan your run at Kiplinger Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemartin.fl.us
- Phone(772) 288-5400
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Stuart
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Shepard Park
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Stuart Boardwalk
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Park featuring a boardwalk along the river with views of the water and a bridge.