McCarty Ranch Preserve

Address: 12525 Range Line Rd., west of I-95, south of Glades Cut Off Rd. and Range Line Rd. intersection.

From the North:

1. Take Midway Rd. to Glades Cut Off Rd.
2. Turn south onto Range Line Rd.
3. Continue for four miles.
4. The entrance will be on your right.

From the South:

1. Head west on Martin Hwy. (FL-714).
2. Turn north onto SW Allapattah Rd.
3. Drive north for approximately seven miles (Allapattah Rd. becomes SW Twigg Ave. and then Dairy Rd./Range Line Rd.).
4. The entrance will be on your left.

Campsite Features

• Primitive Campsites: 13 sites available
• RV Trailer Sites: 6 sites available
• Amenities: Each site includes a six-foot picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern hook.
• Tent Pads: Approximately 20’x20’
• ADA Accessible: Two ADA fire rings located at RV Site #1 and Tent Site #1
• Facilities: Bathroom facilities with showers on site
• Pets: Allowed but must be leashed
• Limitations: No parking, water connections, or electricity at the sites

Reservations & Check-in

• Check-in: 2 p.m.
• Check-out: 11 a.m.
• Reservations: Can be made online or in-person on a first-come, first-served basis at the Parks & Recreation offices at the Community Center
• Rates: Primitive tent sites are $20 per night plus tax; RV sites are $23 per night plus tax
• Stay Limits: Up to 14 nights at tent sites and up to 30 days at RV sites

Guidelines

• Fishing: Allowed with a Florida freshwater fishing license for those 16 years or older. Wading is not permitted.
• Kayaks and Canoes: Permitted in designated areas only. Personal flotation devices are required for all occupants. No lifeguard on duty.
• Wildlife and Terrain: Beware of alligators, snakes, bobcats, panthers, feral hogs, and other wildlife. The terrain is natural and uneven. Activities are at your own risk.
• Safety Gear: Helmets are required by Florida statute for equestrians and cyclists under 16. Safety gear is recommended for all riders.
• Pets: Must be leashed (maximum 6 feet) and dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. Legitimate service animals are permitted.
• Restricted Areas: Some areas of the Preserve have limited access.

Prohibited Activities

All visitors must comply with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.

The following activities are prohibited:

• Feeding wildlife(PDF, 5MB)
• Collecting, destroying, or disturbing plants, animals, rocks, minerals, or other natural resources
• Fires without a camping reservation
• Littering or dumping
• Fireworks
• ATVs, dirt bikes, or other off-road/recreational vehicles
• Alcoholic beverages without a camping reservation
• Swimming
• Gas-powered motorized watercraft and remote-controlled boats and planes (one sealed electric motor per boat allowed with a Boat Permit(PDF, 333KB))
• Charcoal and/or wood fireplaces
• Hunting and archery

The City has partnered with Kimley-Horn Engineering and Design Consultants to develop the McCarty Ranch Preserve Conceptual Master Plan. This plan will be created through public and stakeholder engagement sessions, with dates and times to be announced.

McCarty Ranch Master Planning Process Video Presentation

The City invited the public to participate in a survey to help develop a Conceptual Master Plan for recreation amenities at McCarty Ranch Preserve. The survey, open from Oct. 20 to Dec. 11, 2023, gathered ideas and comments that will be reviewed for feasibility and alignment with the site’s core purpose.

Future recreational opportunities at McCarty Ranch will complement the site's primary role in meeting the City’s utility needs while preserving its unique natural resources.

McCarty Ranch Preserve spans 3,107 acres of old Florida pinelands and lakes, formed from former mining operations. Acquired by the City in 2012 and incorporated in 2013, the Preserve aims to serve as a water storage and treatment facility, ensuring the City’s water demands are met for decades. Additionally, it provides an environmentally friendly, passive recreational area for all to enjoy. The City also hosts two annual events at the preserve: Harvest Hayride & Bonfire in October and the Bonfire Hayride in February.

City leaders aim to honor the legacy of the influential McCarty family, who significantly impacted the region's agriculture. Charles Tobin McCarty (C.T.) began growing pineapples in St. Lucie County in the 1880s, and the family expanded into citrus farming and cattle ranching. C.T.’s grandson, Dan McCarty, became Florida’s 31st governor in 1953, while another grandson, John McCarty, managed the family ranch, recognizing its environmental value and potential as a water resource.

The City of Port St. Lucie is committed to offering the highest feasible level of physical access to wilderness areas for persons with disabilities, while maintaining the preservation of the property’s significant natural features. Typically, undeveloped areas outside the immediate influence of buildings and roads will remain unmodified.