Faver-Dykes State Park

With 1,609 acres of mostly wild landscape, Faver-Dykes State Park is definitely a place to get away from the normal everyday hustle and bustle. There are no telephones, televisions, or traffic. The park is nestled quietly at the end of a residential neighborhood just south of St. Augustine. It is a place where both locals and visitors go to enjoy solitude, serenity, and relaxation. The only noises one usually hears are those of an armadillo or squirrel rustling though the brush, a fish splashing in the water, and the birds cheerfully chirping in the massive oaks.

The main area of the park offers a large picnic area with pavilions, a large fishing dock, a new boat ramp with a floating dock, and a campground. The campground features 30 sites complete with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, dumping stations, and full-shower facilities. There is also a primitive camping area for youth groups.

Located on Pellicer Creek, fishing is a favorite pastime here. The creek offers an abundance of speckled trout, red fish, drum, mullet, flounder, snook, and much more. The creek also makes for a great canoe trail featuring a four-mile, half-day trip from one of the lesser-known and lesser-used parks in the state park system. To take the canoe trip, canoeists push off from a landing in the park and paddle west and upstream. The creek runs for a mile and a half along the park boundary before flowing through private property.

Two nature trails allow you to stroll through the oak hammock. Birding is another popular pastime. Along the rustic trails through the hammock, flatwoods, and along the salt marsh, one may find migrating songbirds during the spring and fall. Check the estuary for waders, eagles, white pelicans, ducks and clapper rails.

Favor-Dykes was originally part of the old Buena Suerte Plantation granted to Gen. Joseph Hernandez by Spain in 1817. The area was later occupied by U.S. forces during the Second Seminole War. In 1950, the park was donated to the Florida State Board of Parks and Historic Memorials by Hiram Faver, a retired Clerk of the Circuit Court in St. Johns County. Today, much of the landscape remains the same as it did when the Spanish first began exploring here in the 16th century. And like the Spanish, visitors come here from all over the world to explore this tranquil setting.

To visit for a day, the cost is $2 per vehicle up to eight people. Camping fees are $9 per night without hookups and $11 with water and electric.

Canoes are rented at Faver-Dykes, next to the fishing dock. The rental rate is $8 for the first two hours, $3 for each additional hour, or $20 for all day.

Open 8 a.m. to sunset.

For more information, call: 904-794-0997 or visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/