Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

The variety of habitats found on the 577-acre Malabar Scrub Sanctuary make it an ideal place for visitors to learn how wetland and upland communities interact. The protected habitats include xeric (dry) hammock, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, ponds, sloughs, and depression marshes. Trails weave through many of these natural communities, including several areas recently treated with prescribed fires. Fire is a natural factor in many of Florida’s ecosystems, and hikers will be amazed at the lush, green regrowth in areas that were burned only a short time ago. The sanctuary is a refuge for the Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, and Eastern indigo snake. All these species benefit from controlled burns. Restrooms are available at the adjacent Malabar Community Park.

The Malabar Scrub Sanctuary is bisected by the Richard E. Cameron Sr. & Volunteers Preserve, creating an east and west side of the sanctuary. The Al Tuttle Boundary Canal Trail is the northern and eastern border of the sanctuary.

The east side can be accessed from the Sandhill Trailhead, Malabar Community Park or the Al Tuttle Trail via the Capon Street Pedestrian Bridge in neighboring Palm Bay. It has two main trails, the White loop and the Red loop. This section of trail stays on mostly high and dry ground, and has well marked single track hiking, biking and equestrian trail.

The west side can be accessed from the Briar Creek Blvd Trailhead, the Al Tuttle Trail via Port Malabar Blvd, or the Trailhead located on Englar Ave in neighboring Palm Bay. This section of trail is best known for the two extensive trail bridges which cross a tributary of Turkey Creek. The west side has three main trails, the Red loop, the Blue loop, and the Yellow Trail, which is a connector trail to the Cameron Preserve.