Matanzas Wildlife Management Area

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

Matanzas Wildlife Management Area is located just eight miles south of St. Augustine in St. Johns County. The area encompasses 4,699 acres within the Matanzas State Forest and is part of the larger Matanzas Marsh, a 16,000-acre continuous conservation corridor that plays a critical role in protecting water quality and wildlife habitat in the Matanzas River. The forest preserves two miles of estuarine marsh along the Intracoastal Waterway, also known as the Matanzas River, including the last remaining undisturbed salt marsh within the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Much of the upland area consists of pine plantation that was managed for commercial timber production prior to state acquisition in 2003. Additional habitats include bay and cypress swamps, hardwood hammock, and salt marsh. The Florida Forest Service actively manages the area through sustainable timber harvesting, invasive species control, reforestation, and regular prescribed burns that enhance conditions for native vegetation and wildlife.

The WMA is open to public access year round from sunrise to sunset except during hunting seasons when public access is allowed from 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset. The Florida Forest Service requires a fee at some day-use areas and all campgrounds. Hunters are exempt from paying day-use fees two weeks prior to and during scheduled hunts. Vehicle access is only allowed during scouting and hunting seasons or by permit from the Florida Forest Service (386-585-6151).

Hunting

For hunting seasons and area regulations, view FWC's regulations summary brochure for Matanzas WMA. 

Fishing

Fishing is permitted year-round. A Florida fishing license is required and can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. 

Camping

Camping is allowed by permit only from the Florida Forest Service.

Recreation

Recreational opportunities include horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, picnicking, canoeing and kayaking.

The network of unpaved roads is ideal for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. A foot trail winds north along the Matanzas River on the eastern edge of the property, passing through a patch of hardwoods. Temporary road closures protect sensitive species.

Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant and includes gopher tortoises, otters, nesting bald eagles, a large wood stork colony, breeding painted buntings and large aggregations of wading and shorebirds foraging in the freshwater and estuarine wetlands.

The state forest is a site on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Add your bird observations to the Matanzas State Forest eBird Hotspot.

More Information

Visit the Florida Forest Service’s webpage for the Matanzas State Forest.

For an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees, rules regarding dogs and area regulations, view FWC's regulations summary brochure for Matanzas WMA.