One Of Florida's Prettiest Lakes To Spot Wildlife Is An Underrated Conservation Area With Charming Cabins

Indian River County's Blue Cypress Lake, the largest and cleanest lake in the county, is a peaceful haven for naturalists and outdoorsmen visiting Central Florida's east coast. Situated near Fellsmere, a small rural area known for its fishing and bountiful wildlife, is the Blue Cypress Conservation Area, comprised of 61,574 acres of wilderness where visitors can escape touristy hotels and stay in charming lakeside cabins. For those flying in to replenish their inner peace, Blue Cypress is located an hour and a half from Palm Beach International Airport. 

Once you reach your lakeside destination, grab your wading shoes and get ready to explore all the wild wonders the freshwater marshlands have to offer. Blue Cypress is a pleasurable getaway where animal enthusiasts can enjoy watching and photographing a myriad of aquatic animals and bird species. The area is home to a variety of native birds, including roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, and little blue herons, which can be seen fishing and frolicking around its marshes. 

Tourists who have previously visited the Treasure Coast might be familiar with the quiet little beach town offering a calm tropical escape of Vero Beach, but not many are familiar with all that the Blue Cypress area has to offer. Adventure-seekers love taking an airboat ride through the wetlands to see how many gators they can spot, and it's always exciting to see a bald eagle or osprey diving into the water to catch its next meal. The marsh is comprised of 2,800 acres of fresh water, formerly farmland belonging to Manny Garcia, an early resident of the area. 

Nature-lovers can stay right on Blue Cypress Lake by renting one of its conveniently located lakeside cabins available to the public, with amenities such as fish cleaning stations, propane gas grills, and fire pits located around the property. The area is popular with catfish and bass fishermen, so bring your fishing rod and tackle box if you enjoy the sport. Visitors are welcome to bring their own boats to dock at the cabin, but no worries if you don't own a boat; kayaks are available for rent on the lake. 

If you have a large group or want a more structured experience, charter tours for photography and sightseeing are available from Blue Cypress Lake Tours as well. Lakeside cabins are pet-friendly and available with either a king bed or two twin beds, which travelers can choose at the time of booking. At the time of this publication, the price for booking a one-room, three-person cabin is $90 per night, and a two-room mobile home is available for $120 per night, accommodating up to five people. 

Cabins are equipped with Wi-Fi and electricity, so guests can reclaim their serenity with lakeside cabin vibes while still being able to stream music and enjoy modern comforts. Staying on the lake offers a charming Old Florida experience and the luxury of retiring to the comfort of a cozy cabin after a full day of fishing, swimming, or just watching your cares melt away on the lake. If you prefer to go the more rugged route, Middleton's Fish Camp has some space for primitive camping.

When folks think of the typical visit to Florida, crowded theme parks usually come to mind. This is the perfect chance to discover the more laid-back alternative that this underrated natural paradise offers. Whether you book a charter tour, go kayaking through the marshland, embark on a nature hike in search of wildlife, or enjoy a picnic after sunbathing on the lake, you will be in awe of the natural beauty of your surroundings. Birdwatchers flock to this preserve to photograph the wading birds and catch a glimpse of the migrating pelicans that pass through the marshes each year, while fishermen come for the catfish, bass, and perch.

But Blue Cypress isn't just a birding and fishing paradise; the area is crucial for conservation efforts and managing water levels of the St. John River as well. Conservationists view this unsung natural paradise as a crucial part of Florida's ecosystem, making it possible for the various native animal and plant species to thrive year after year. The conservation area is a haven for nature photographers, with plenty of opportunities to capture roseate spoonbills feeding at dusk or alligators lurking amidst the lily pads. So bring your camera and explore the Florida wilderness like it was meant to be seen. 

For a local sightseeing adventure off the preserve, take a few hours to explore another crowd-free hidden gem in the area, Hutchinson Island, located about an hour away from Blue Cypress Lake. If traveling back to the lazy days of Old Florida and staying in a remote lakeside cabin sounds like the perfect way to disconnect, Blue Cypress Recreation Area is the ideal spot for your next relaxing getaway.