If you are looking for longer trails and to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, Pal Mar East (Nine Gems) is a great choice. This 3,200-acre natural area is vast and contains a variety of habitats here such as pine flatwoods, freshwater depression marshes, wet prairie and cypress sloughs. There is also plenty of wildlife such as deer, turtles, and local and migratory birds and don’t forget your camera for the Florida wildflowers.
Pal Mar East is a part of a roughly 125,000-acre greenway system that extends all the way from the intracoastal waterway to Lake Okeechobee and is part of the headwaters to the Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River. There are several options of loop trails at Nine Gems ranging from 3.7 miles to 11 miles and this is a popular site for horseback riding.
Please follow Leave No Trace and keep our natural areas in Martin County healthy, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.
Amenities at this site include:
- Parking area that is large enough for trailers
- 12-miles of trails
- Two pavilions
- Dog Friendly- Please follow the rules of BARK Ranger
More about this site:
To find the site from Stuart area- take Kanner Highway west to Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Go left and drive for 4-5 miles and the sign for Pal Mar East will be on the left.
The property is officially a part of the larger John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area and is referred to as the William H. Lee Unit by Florida Fish and Wildlife. See map here.
Recognized as a wildlife hotspot on the Great Florida Birding Trail
There is seasonal hunting at this site. Click here to learn more about hunting schedules and to plan your visit.
Experience this site:
Exploring on your own? Check out this site on All Trails to navigate and learn more!
For fun and free guided experiences at preserves like this, check out Explore Natural Martin, Martin County’s ecotourism program