Silver Palm Nature Trail

Silver Palm Nature Trail is a very short, roughly 0.11-mile one-way path from the north end of the Sandspur Beach day-use lot to the beach edge, through coastal vegetation and a stand of silver palms. The park map lists 0.11 mile but does not say whether that is one-way or round-trip. Its named trail line runs from the lot to the beach edge, so treat 0.11 mile as the way out; walking back on the same path makes about 0.22 mile altogether. Allow around ten minutes for the path and a look at the plant labels. This is a small nature stop to add to a beach day, not a hike that takes up your afternoon.

The natural, unpaved path runs through the palm grove with the shore close by. Interpretive signs identify plants along the route. The silver palms are the reason to stop: their fan-shaped fronds have pale undersides that catch the light when they turn. Take a moment to look up as well as along the path; it’s easy to be back at the beach before you’ve noticed much.

Drive past the Sandspur Campground to the Sandspur Beach parking area at the end of the park road. The trail starts at the north end of that lot, not at the campground. The park map marks restrooms and an outdoor rinse shower by the beach; the concession selling snacks and lunches is elsewhere in the park, by the Old Bahia Honda Bridge.

Pets may use permitted land areas on a six-foot hand-held leash, but they’re not allowed on the beach or in the water. Stop at the end of the trail rather than following a pet onto the sand. The mapped 0.11 miles cover the named trail itself; the longer beach walk described in some older directions is a separate outing.