5 Parks in Indian River County You're Probably Overlooking

Everyone knows Humiston Park. Fewer people know the county is full of quieter, stranger, and honestly more interesting green spaces just a short drive away. Here are five worth adding to your weekend rotation.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

This is the one to brag about to out-of-town friends: Pelican Island was designated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, making it the first National Wildlife Refuge in the entire country. The Centennial Trail is an easy, accessible walk that ends at a shaded overlook with a telescope trained on the pelican rookery. Bring binoculars if you have them, brown pelicans nest here in numbers you don't see anywhere else in the county.

Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area

If you want quiet, this is it. Mangrove-lined trails wind along the Indian River with an observation deck for spotting wading birds, and bromeliads hang from the oak canopy like something out of a rainforest. It's one of the few spots in Vero where you can walk for twenty minutes and not see another person. Wear closed shoes, the upland trails can get root-heavy.

Riverside Park

The most "in the middle of everything" entry on this list. Riverside sits right along the water and doubles as the county's go-to spot for events, car shows, festivals, concerts, but on a regular Tuesday it's just a good place to walk, sit by the river, or let kids run around near the Riverside Theatre. Worth checking the parks calendar before you go in case there's an event setup happening.

McKee Botanical Garden

Technically a garden, not a park, but it earns a spot on any list like this. McKee is a National Register of Historic Places site with restored architecture, including the Hall of Giants, home to the world's largest mahogany table. The water lily collection is one of the best in the South, and the tropical canopy makes it feel ten degrees cooler than the parking lot. Note: unlike the others on this list, there's an admission fee.

South Beach Park

For beach access without the Ocean Drive crowds, South Beach is the move. It's got the dune boardwalk and picnic areas, but tends to draw a more local, less tourist-heavy crowd than Humiston or Jaycee. A solid pick for an early morning walk before the day gets hot.

Have a favorite park that didn't make this list? Reply and let us know, we're always looking for the next hidden gem to feature.

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Ava Cook

Community Manager at Vero Vine

Hello!
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].