Old St. Stephens Historical Park's 600 acres contain a variety of habitats. Mixed loblolly pine and hardwood forest occurs on hills west of the old quarry and within the archaeological site. Park at the picnic pavilion and bird this upland habitat. Then descend toward the old quarry floor, but be sure to check the mature hardwoods around the Indian Baths on the way. When you reach the old quarry floor, park at the store. Eastern red cedar covers parts of the old quarry site and there are large areas of lawn around the store and camping facilities. Extensive marsh in the east and southwest parts of the old quarry, now lake and cypress swamp southwest of the old quarry will be of particular interest to birders.

Shore birds observed on the margins of the lake include Least Bitterns, Soras, Least and Spotted sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Killdeer. Ospreys, Mississippi Kites, and Red-shouldered Hawks are frequently observed around the quarry lake. Loggerhead Shrikes; Northern Parulas; Yellow-throated, Pine, Prothonotary, and Hooded warblers; American Redstarts, and Common Yellowthroats breed in the park. Spring and fall bring a wide variety of neotropical migrants and occasional flocks of American White Pelicans.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Chipping, Savannah, Song, Swamp, and White-throated sparrows are common winter residents.

The park is also home to the Gopher Tortoise.

Access: $2 for adults, $1 for children over 5, $8/night tent camping, $16/night RV

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Old St. Stephens Historical Park is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.

Listed in:

• Ecotourism