Faver-Dykes State Park sits about 15 miles south of downtown St. Augustine along Pellicer Creek, one of the most pristine tidal creeks in northeast Florida. The park protects 752 acres of flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and tidal marshes that have remained largely unchanged for centuries, and it offers one of the best paddling experiences accessible as a day trip from St. Augustine. Pellicer Creek is the park's centerpiece. The dark, tannin-stained water winds through dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of trees overhead in the narrower sections, opening into broader tidal expanses where the marsh stretches to the horizon. The creek flows south into the Matanzas River, meaning a longer paddle can connect Faver-Dykes to the broader estuary system that runs all the way back toward St. Augustine. Wildlife along the creek is exceptional - ospreys, great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, river otters, alligators, and manatees in season are all regular sightings. The park has a boat ramp and canoe and kayak launch on Pellicer Creek, making it one of the more accessible paddling put-ins in the area. Fishing in the creek and surrounding waters targets redfish, trout, and flounder in a setting without the boat traffic that characterizes more heavily used waterways. A campground with 30 sites offers both tent and RV camping for visitors who want to stay longer than a day. Hiking trails wind through the park's upland areas, passing through longleaf pine flatwoods, sand live oak scrub