Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area is located in the state of Florida and covers an area of over 78,000 acres of land.
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Summary
It is a beautiful nature reserve that attracts visitors from all over the world. There are many reasons to visit this wildlife management area, including the opportunity to see a wide variety of flora and fauna, hike through the wilderness, and enjoy a range of outdoor activities.
One of the specific points of interest to see in the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area is the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including alligators, wading birds, and panthers. Visitors to the sanctuary can take a boardwalk tour through the swamp and see the wildlife up close.
Another interesting fact about Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area is that it was once home to a failed housing development. The development, which was intended to be a large-scale residential community, was abandoned in the 1970s after it was discovered that the land was too wet to build on.
The best time of year to visit the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area is during the winter months, when the weather is cooler and drier. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and other outdoor activities without having to worry about the heat and humidity that can make summer visits uncomfortable.
Overall, the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area is a beautiful and fascinating destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse range of wildlife, beautiful scenery, and interesting history, it is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area
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