Reed Bingham State Park

About Reed Bingham State Park

Visitors to the scenic park can admire endangered species such as spotted turtles, breeding bald eagles and alligators, as well as birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians.

The plant communities that occur on the coastal plain are found in a wide range of habitats, making them a natural habitat for birds, reptiles and amphibians. Volunteers can observe hatched turtles and help care for the turtles and other wildlife such as birds of prey.

The 375-hectare lake is popular with boaters and skiers, and fishing for perch, toads, catfish and bream is excellent. A 1.5 km trail leads from the swamp to the coast of Reed Bingham State Park, the largest of its kind in Canada. The park is named after the citizens of the city who helped to establish it, as it is the only state park in North America with a population of more than 100,000 people.

The soil that regularly floods the Small River contains bare cypresses, tulips and spruces adapted to the wet conditions. There are two observation points overlooking the river, and the area is a popular spot for otters, turtles and deer, as well as for bird watching.

The 1.5 km long trail leads away from the river and crosses five natural communities and connects with other paths in the park.

The most striking is probably the deciduous mixed forest in the south, where you can see towering southern magnolias, hickory and American holly. Another unique aspect is the variety of ferns that surround the observation area.

The Upland Loop is divided into several sections, and the 1.5 km long trail runs in short circles, starting at the top of the hill on the west side and then on the east side. Then you cross an open pine forest where long leaves play a dominant role. There are also flowering dogwood along the way, as well as a variety of shrubs, trees and grasses, some of which can be seen from the observation area.

Other plants include a variety of shrubs and grasses as well as a number of wild flowers, and sacrificial turtles are also common in the area.

This section is also part of the Gopher Tortoise Management Area, and turtles are often seen here.

This 1 km long cycle path leads through an area that was once cultivated and features a series of long left pine trees and palm trees that you can see. There are also a variety of wild flowers such as blueberries, peaches, cherries, pears, strawberries and raspberries.