Things to do nearSimpson Creek

Simpson Creek flows through the salt marshes of northeastern Jacksonville, threading between Big and Little Talbot Islands before emptying into the Nassau Sound. This tidal creek sits within a remarkably preserved stretch of the Florida coast, where development gives way to expanses of spartina grass, mud flats, and open water that have changed little over centuries.

The creek is a favorite among paddlers, and joining a kayaking excursion is one of the best ways to take it all in. Anglers also prize Simpson Creek for redfish, flounder, and speckled trout that patrol the grassy shallows. The nearby state park lands of Talbot Island extend the experience with beaches, trails, and additional launch points.

Wildlife is the quiet headline here. Bottle-nosed dolphins ride the tidal currents through the creek, while wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and great blue herons work the shallows at low tide. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the barrier island beaches just beyond the creek mouth each summer.

Simpson Creek offers a genuine encounter with coastal Florida in its most natural state, making it a rewarding destination for anyone drawn to unhurried water and wild, living marshland.