by Sarah Gledhill, President and CEO
Tucked along the western edge of the St. Johns River just south of the Shands Bridge, Bayard Conservation Area isn’t the kind of place you stumble upon. You go for a purpose, whether it’s biking, horseback riding, hunting in the WMA or hiking. Today, I came to disconnect from the grind and connect with the woods, even if it was only for a few hours.
Bayard Conservation Area. Photos by Sarah Gledhill
I entered Bayard from the west side by driving down a long dirt road and crossing through the wildlife management area sections. As soon as I turned off the 4-lane highway, a coyote ran across the road in front of the car. I figured it was a good omen to already see wildlife, especially for as hot as it was during my visit.
I slung on my daypack and chose the White Blaze Trail—a roughly 7-mile loop known for its variety of habitats and quiet beauty. The path started beneath a canopy of slash pines, their tall trunks catching the sun, illuminating their bark as if they were on fire. Swallow-tailed kites gracefully played as they swooped and glided above my head. Somewhere nearby, an unknown creature rustled in the palmettos, maybe an armadillo.
As the sun rose higher and I started to feel the temperature rise, the trail shifted. The dry pine flatwoods gave way to the shaded cool of a hardwood hammock. The change in temperature was immediate—suddenly, I was in a cathedral of oaks, sweet bays, and hickories. I paused at a clearing where the underbrush thinned, and a gopher tortoise eyed me cautiously as I decided to continue on.
Midway through the hike, I climbed the wooden observation tower to get a bird’s eye view of the tree canopy. I took advantage of the platform and sat, breathing in that rare kind of solitude that’s hard to find these days. Just the wind, the birds, and the rustling of the underbrush.
Bayard isn’t dramatic. It doesn’t shout with wild rivers or vast open prairies. It whispers and hums. It offers space—not just physical, but mental. And in a world that moves too fast and talks too loud, a day in Bayard is rare and priceless.
How to Visit
Bayard Conservation Area is located in Clay County along the western edge of the St. Johns River. You can access the area from two main entrances:
The primary entrance at 563 State Road 16, Greencove Springs, or from the south via 734 County Road 226, just off U.S. 17. Both routes lead you into different parts of the property and offer access to trails and wildlife viewing areas.
