Park Overview

Not knowing what to expect from this remote City of Jacksonville park, we were in for quite a surprise at Betz-Tiger Point Preserve. At the main park entrance, a single pavilion offers a shady afternoon picnic spot surrounded by palm bushes. In haste, we glide across a wooden boardwalk lined with scrub oak and moss toward an observation deck that overlooks Pumpkin Hill Creek. This 550-acre park features signage along the trails and amenity areas that showcase the history and culture of this region’s Timucua tribes, the first native Floridians. By 1595, the Timucua population shrunk by 75% from epidemics and war brought by European settlers.

Reaching the end of the observation deck, we are drawn to expansive views of the deep creek amid blue skies. Dolphins swim by us in pairs. This deck offers the quickest access in the park to marsh views and fishing adventures.

Blue Trail Along Pumpkin Hill Creek

We then make our way toward the Blue trailhead, tiptoeing through tall palm trees swaying in the morning breeze and giant live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The rising sun peeks through tangled branches as our boots touch down on the Blue Trail. Marsh crabs scurry back to their sand burrows. Gazing at bold orange mushrooms, I walk into an intricate banana spider web and then cannot help but notice many more brightly colored spiders lurking on the trail’s edges. There are clearing spots along the path where you can catch a glimpse of the saltwater marsh. After a short walk, the trail splits, and we keep right along the shoreline traversing a wide, leaf covered path with mounds of oyster shells.

The next jaunt leads us to a dead end on the bluffs that we name “crab island,” a small overlook composed of black jutted rocks infested with families of fiddler and squareback marsh crabs. Their quick movements in the cracks and crevices give the rocks an effect like they are in motion. Once gaining our footing along the estuary, we look north toward Black Hammock Island, the northeast tip of Duval County. The tidal creek sounds like gulping a jug of water as it rushes up on the sturdy rocks. Blue and green winged dragonflies zip around our legs as we shuffle through cordgrass and take off again along the Blue Trail.

Headed north on the Blue Trail now, we venture through green saw palmetto, oaks covered in blooming mushrooms, and skinny tall pines hoisting jagged branches. Pine needles and white sands lead us back out to the gravel driving road where you can bike or hike to access the Yellow or Orange trailheads. The Orange trail connects to adjacent Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park.

Yellow and Red Trails to the Marsh Overlook

We opt for the Yellow Trail to continue our exploration of the preserve where we are greeted by zebra longwing butterflies and high stringy grass whisking around our bodies. We keep left to a narrow path surrounded by dense pinewoods with a fern and saw palmetto understory. Dark rain clouds loom overhead. I cup my ears from the loud screeches of crickets. Hiking along a thick bed of pine needles and broken branches, we descend into the damp, ominous forest swallowed in tarflowers.

After 0.81 miles of straight pines that create a wall formation along the trail’s edges, we come to a crossroads. With the afternoon heat already rising, we decide to continue west, connecting to a Red Trail. We quickly come upon more Timucua history signage detailing the factions amongst the tribes that prevailed due to scarce resources. A gentle breeze and strong smells of fern lead us along the Marsh Loop Trail with small pinecones, bark bits, and white mushrooms at our boots. We hike through a scrub forest of wet sand and twisting pine stems that appear to be deformed from severe winds. Lost in the newfound territory, my feet get tangled in green vines, slipping on larger branches, as the terrain grows in moisture. On our way to the “Marsh Overlook,” we come to a complete wash-out on the trail. Not letting high waters deter our spirits, we turn around and hike back the way we came.

Rain drops land on my arms and face as we trek along to take a Red Trail shortcut to the main Yellow loop. Squirrels chase each other in the trees and birds chirp from obscure branches. We encounter a coiled black snake among the palm bushes looking to catch what is left of the sun’s rays. Reaching a dead-end decision to go right or left, we keep right, stepping onto a muddy path of red leaves and overgrown grass, but still holding out hope to access the “Marsh Overlook.” Instead, my face meets more dangling spiderwebs stretched across the trail. Flocks of grey and white birds graze overhead.

The storm passes, the sun beats strongly, the insects screech triumphantly. My boots dig into the thick black mud. With a sticky wet splash, we plunge into the earth, and nature has her way once again. Unable to traverse the flooded paths, we go back the way we came through the tunnels of pines along the Red Trail to the Yellow to the Blue, making our way back home.

Betz-Tiger Point Preserve Trail System:

• Yellow Trail: 3.4 miles

• Blue Trail: 0.8 miles

• Orange Trail: 0.6 miles

• Red Trails: 1.8 miles (shortcuts that connect the three trails together)

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